SEGA reveals new details about Sonic Mania Plus, including Encore Mode and digital DLC

SEGA and Sonic Team were at SXSW and presented a ton of new upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog stuff. Perhaps the most exciting is a physical release of Sonic Mania titled Sonic Mania Plus. While the staff detailed the new features, they did keep some new modes unexplained. Thankfully, a new press release details what we can expect from the release.

Below is an excerpt from the press release detailing the new Encore Mode, and as we guessed it is similar to Super Mario 3D Land‘s Special stages which give a new lick of paint and offers up a bit more of a challenge. Also revealed is that the new content will be bundled into the Encore DLC pack which will be sold to digital owners. So it looks like no free content update, but here is hoping the price is low.

Sonic Mania Plus delivers a true, classic Sonic experience. Building off Sonic Mania’s momentum as one of the best platform games of 2017, Sonic Mania Plus adds two new playable characters from past Sonic games, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel, a new Encore mode that adds a new look to familiar locations while challenging new and veteran players alike. This new physical edition will also include a 32-page collector’s artbook, a reversible SEGA Genesis cover, and holographic packaging. Sonic Mania Plus will be available in stores this Summer for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One for $29.99 USD. Pre-orders are now available at all major retailers. For all gamers who purchased the original digital version of Sonic Mania on console and PC, an Encore DLC pack will be available for sale to access the new features, with more details to come at a later date.

SEGA also provided us with a list of the key features:

A true, classic Sonic experience: Gorgeous pixel graphics featuring a variety of new Zones with iconic favorites from Sonic 1, 2, 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic The Hedgehog CD
Stunning Collectible Packaging including a holographic, retro Genesis cover, and 36 page art book
Definitive version: Pristine, high quality HD version to enjoy Sonic and his friends as they face off against Dr Eggman and his new robo-henchmen the Hard Boiled Heavies!
New characters join the fun: Introducing the return of Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel as playable characters to Sonic Mania Plus, each with their own unique abilities
All-new Encore mode: Take the challenge to run through fresh new versions of Sonic Mania Zones as you’ve never seen them before!
New and improved features: Share the excitement locally with three other friends on Competition mode, refine your skills with Time Attack mode and more!

The product pages for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions are now on Amazon, with pre-orders opening soon.

And finally, here is a look at the new logo and the boxes for each platform: