Takashi Iizuka, the boss of Sonic Team, has said there is a “desire to want to work with” the developers of Sonic Mania again.
The latest issue of Game Informer includes an interview with Iizuka (as reported by Nintendo Everything), who confirmed that Sonic Team is still in touch with the crew behind Sonic Mania.
“We’re still really close with them. We’ve gone out eating and drinking with them because relationships are important to us,” Iizuka said.
“They also have a lot of projects that they’re working on for what they want to do and what their business needs are.”
There is currently no official Sonic Mania sequel or successor in the works, but Iizuka appears open to the possibility.
“We don’t have anything to talk about now, but there’s definitely a desire to want to work with them again, and we think they could make a great game,” he added.
“It’s not off the books yet, but it’s not something that’s moving forward currently.”
Sonic Mania composer Tee Lopes, has responded to Iizuka’s sentiment with enthusiasm.
“Let’s do it,” Lopes said on X.
“Obviously, this isn’t up to me, but I’d return in a jif.”
In 2023, Game Informer asked Iizuka and Sonic Mania’s lead developer, Christian Whitehead, why they had not pursued a sequel. Both parties had mutually agreed that they had other priorities, with Iizuka explaining that Sonic Team wanted to move away from the 2D pixel-art style for the next Sonic game after Mania’s launch.
Whitestead and his team at Evening Star, meanwhile, also wanted to focus on 3D games and original IP. As a result, the studio released 3D platformer Penny’s Big Breakaway in 2024.
Sonic Mania launched in 2017 to overwhelming critical acclaim, and at the time became the best-reviewed Sonic title in 15 years. It was widely considered to be a faithful return to the franchise’s roots, with graphical and gameplay styles similar to those of the original ‘90s Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy on Sega Genesis.
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Written by Reece Heather
A veteran Zelda Universe editor and First-class journalism graduate, Reece emerged with a Nintendo 64 and a lifelong obsession after a narrow escape from Santa’s Naughty List in 1998. Outside of games, he’s reading Punisher comics, being bossed around by his cocker spaniel, and cornering innocent bystanders to rant about the importance of game preservation.
