Sonic Mania

22 Melee games like Sonic Mania that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Sonic Mania down to the 22 that fit the “Melee” category. Metal Slug 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Rayman Origins top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Sonic Mania.

iRank89/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Tags

CasualSoloMultiplayer

Year 2017Dev Headcannon

Stores

Steam ↗Epic ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Sonic Mania is Metal Slug 2 — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Rayman Origins follow close behind.

#1Metal Slug 297 #2Sonic the Hedgehog 297 #3Rayman Origins97 #4Kirby's Dream Land 397 #5Kirby: Squeak Squad93

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The best melee games like Sonic Mania

22 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Sonic Mania. Each one has been evaluated across 11 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

97

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

#2Sonic the Hedgehog 2

97

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

#3Rayman Origins

97

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

#4Kirby's Dream Land 3

97

Kirby's Dream Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Year 1997Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#5Kirby: Squeak Squad

93

Kirby: Squeak Squad

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB65· 2

Year 2006Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#6Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

93

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

Year 2000Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#7TowerFall Ascension

93

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

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

#9Gunstar Heroes

92

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

#10SpeedRunners

92

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

#11Sonic Lost World

90

Sonic Lost World

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMeleeThird Person2D

Steam👍 62%· 5.5KIGDB58· 14

Year 2013Dev Sonic Team · NintendoOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#12Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

89

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB70· 1

Year 2002Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

#13Metal Slug 3

88

Metal Slug 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2DPixel Art

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, dark, oppressive atmosphere and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

#14New Super Mario Bros.

87

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

#15Sonic Forces

85

Sonic Forces

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeThird Person2D

Steam👍 59%· 8.5KIGDB57· 11OC56· 95

Year 2017Dev Sonic Team · Sega GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and combat tactical, while skipping vibe casual

Complete list of melee games like Sonic Mania

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Sonic Mania, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

DuckTales: Remastered

DuckTales: Remastered

Platformer · Adventure

Pinkman

Pinkman

Platformer · Adventure

Metal Slug 5

Metal Slug 5

Platformer · Shooter

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer · Adventure

Ristar

Ristar

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic CD

Sonic CD

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Platformer · Adventure

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