I might not have been a SEGA kid, but my grandmother had a Genesis at her old house along with copies of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Rocket Knight Adventures. Needless to say, I was spoiled by the best of the best that the SEGA Genesis had to offer when I went to Grandma's house.
I've sunk more time into Sonic the Hedgehog 2 than into the rest of the series combined, and I know that after I blaze through the Green Hill Zone, the dreaded Chemical Plant Zone is waiting for me. It's an immediate surge in difficulty and speed tagged along with some of the chillest beats that the SEGA Genesis ever cranked out.
SEGA is tapping into all of these memories by confirming that the Chemical Plant Zone is returning in the upcoming 16-bit lovefest, Sonic Mania. Its debut trailer shows off a remixed soundtrack and those same sudden screen jerks that make up for Sonic and Tails' abrupt changes in direction.
Of course, the level is loaded with plenty of new and exciting obstacles that bounce Tails around like a rag doll. I especially like the point where he injects the water with a green chemical, turning the entire surface into a giant spring.
Where does Sonic go from here?
Like I said, my lore of Sonic the Hedgehog resides mostly in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, so I naturally want to return to the Casino Night Zone, the Hill Top Zone, and the Mystic Cave Zone. When it comes to the other 16-bit games, I'm drawing a blank on where I would like my adventure to take me back.
Any thoughts on which classic levels Sonic Mania should dip into next?
Sonic Mania will be released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Aug. 15.
