Sonic Mania

52 Games like Sonic Mania that you should try

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Sonic Mania is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming, vibe casual and melee combat in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 11 gameplay attributes and found 52 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Rayman Origins, Metal Slug 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 lead the list, with Rayman Origins reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Sonic Mania special.

iRank89/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Tags

CasualSoloMultiplayer

Year 2017Dev Headcannon

Stores

Steam ↗Epic ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Sonic Mania is Rayman Origins — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Metal Slug 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 follow close behind.

#1Rayman Origins97 #2Metal Slug 297 #3Sonic the Hedgehog 297 #4Super Mario Bros. Wonder95 #5TowerFall Ascension93

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Games like Sonic Mania

52 similar games found

#1Rayman Origins

97

iRank93

Rayman Origins

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

97

iRank89

Metal Slug 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

#3Sonic the Hedgehog 2

97

iRank87

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 86%· 37IGDB90· 2

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi, while skipping vibe casual

#4Super Mario Bros. Wonder

95

iRank93

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opCasual2D

IGDB95· 7OC91· 150

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping adventure storytelling

#5TowerFall Ascension

93

iRank86

TowerFall Ascension

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineMultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 95%· 3.6KRAWG👍 74%· 291MC87IGDB87· 6OC84· 42

Year 2013Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

92

iRank86

Move or Die

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerOfflineCo-opSoloMeleeCasual2D

Steam👍 89%· 23KIGDB80· 1

Year 2016Dev Those Awesome GuysOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, vibe casual and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: competitive edge, online features and PvP competition, while skipping adventure storytelling

Steam PS Nintendo

#7LittleBigPlanet

89

iRank96

LittleBigPlanet

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DSandbox World

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and fantasy world, while skipping adventure storytelling

#8Gunstar Heroes

92

iRank83

Gunstar Heroes

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 16IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev Treasure · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and co op

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, combat tactical and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

#9Kirby's Return to Dream Land

91

iRank87

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB87· 4

Year 2011Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and offline.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#10SpeedRunners

92

iRank85

SpeedRunners

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOfflineMeleeCasual2D

Steam👍 94%· 37KRAWG👍 76%· 525MC84OC80· 20

Year 2016Dev tinyBuildPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, vibe casual and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, sports simulation and competitive edge, while skipping adventure storytelling

#11New Super Mario Bros.

87

iRank95

New Super Mario Bros.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping vibe casual

88

iRank91

Spiritfarer

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOffline2D

Steam👍 95%· 52KIGDB88· 7OC87· 76

Year 2020Dev Thunder LotusOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and co op

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, strong narrative focus and vibe relaxing, while skipping vibe casual

#13Donkey Kong Country Returns

89

iRank86

Donkey Kong Country Returns

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 7

Year 2010Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

#14Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

89

iRank85

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 12OC84· 138

Year 2014Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

#15Kirby's Epic Yarn

89

iRank85

Kirby's Epic Yarn

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB85· 4

Year 2010Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

Games like Sonic Mania

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Platformer · Adventure

Yoshi's Woolly World

Yoshi's Woolly World

Platformer

Pinkman

Pinkman

Platformer · Adventure

Ristar

Ristar

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. U

New Super Mario Bros. U

Platformer · Adventure

Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country

Platformer

LittleBigPlanet 3

LittleBigPlanet 3

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. 2

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Rankings in the same genre

Best 2D Platformer Games Best Platformer Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Sonic Mania?: The closest game to Sonic Mania is Rayman Origins, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 8 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Sonic Mania?: The three closest games to Sonic Mania are: 1. Rayman Origins (97/100, 8 shared attributes) 2. Metal Slug 2 (97/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (97/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Sonic Mania's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 52 candidates across 11 dimensions.
Is Metal Slug 2 similar to Sonic Mania?: Yes, very much so — Metal Slug 2 scores 97/100 similarity to Sonic Mania. They share 9 attributes, including precision platforming and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Sonic Mania?: The best Platformer games similar to Sonic Mania are Rayman Origins, Metal Slug 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Sonic Mania attributes like precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Sonic Mania calculated?: We compare Sonic Mania against every game in our catalog using 11 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Sonic Mania experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.