For those dissing the Switch because of the performance issues on the 3D sections: Christian Whitehead's Retro Engine uses *software rendering* instead of native hardware rendering because it's a more general solution and allows games made on it to be ported to multiple platforms relatively easy. Even though software rendering is generally _okay_ for 2D games and allows for things like line scroll and palette animation, the drawback is that 3D sections are _also_ rendered by software, and polygon rastering is a *slow* operation, ploting pixel by boring pixel, which ultimately leaves performance at the mercy of the target platform's CPU. It also doesn't help the fact that the company hired to aid in the process of porting to the Switch is notorious for their unoptimized codebase. So it's not the Switch's fault.
I doubt Samus Returns was actually being made when they pulled the plug on AMR2. Most likely they commissioned development after the fact when they realized there was interest in a Metroid II remake. It isn't even being made in-house by Nintendo.
Based on what we know (Mercury Steam pitched a Metroid game to Nintendo in 2015, and Sakamoto said he chose Mercury Steam because he heard that they were interested in making a remake) and the fact that game development, even on 3DS, usually takes more than just one year, I'm confident they were already way underway with development of the remake when AM2R came out.
John Linneman .you seriously are awesome. when you do video game breakdowns and in depth looks. i can seriously just enjoy every bit of information you put out. you guys at digital foundry are my number 1 favorite UA-cam channel
Sega does what Nintendon't. Respects their fans and their work.being able to Regonize talent and seeking a opportunity rather than being defensive and destroying potential and goodwill. Because that's who benefits the most from mania. The fans who made this, they are doing a great service to the community whose impact will likely be felt for generations. And shoutout to df, awesome as always. And for the love of Christ, Stop saying this is a desperate move by Sega. they are a multi-million dollar corporation where is this desperation?. give the devs more credit. They've proven themselves to make great games that deserve to make games. Welcome to to the next level. Cause Sega just innovated where Nintendo chose not to
So because Nintendo has the right to protect their properties that means they don't respect fans? Imagine if you were Nintendo planning to remake Metroid2 and a team of people on internet were doing it themselves with plans to release it for free. What would be the most logical thing to do as a company?
Seventriple777 Whether it conflicts with that they're making or not they still have the right as a company to take them down. People should know and expect this by now. And if you are inspired by a game use that inspiration to make something original. Look at Toby Fox, he started by making Earthbound hacks but he didn't then move on to try and make an Earthbound remake or Mother 4 and instead made something completely new inspired by that series and it was super successful.
@Janne Mannequin You do not know the definition of remake. This is a remaster,but still looks like outdated regurgitated Sega games that they have been pushing for decades. Sonic needed reinventing. Sega games needed remakes in hd,not the same pixelated repeat trash they have been pushing for years. Double Dragon Neon,that is a true remake. Complete redone artwork in crisp HD with vivid colors,new animations,the works. Sonic is the same rehash since the 1990s. Sonic Adventure changed the game,but they stopped innovating after Sonic Adventure.
Keepskatin oh i meant remaster. I always get remakes, remasters and reimaginings wrong since english is not my main language lol. Fixed my original comment
Actually this isn't even a remaster since it's a new game. It has actual new content. A remaster would be if they took Sonic 1, for example, modified it to make it widescreen, maybe cleared up the audio a bit and added a smoothing filter on top of it or something, and that's it.
I love how tons of people are calling the Switch weak for not running the game at a locked 60 fps rate. Guys... It's not the Switch's fault, it's the port that was not perfect. It'll probably be fixed. Remember, the main team behind the game did not port the game to the Switch and it does not matter if it's a 16bit, 32bit or 64bit game, even if the console is capable of running it, if the developers/port development team can't handle it properly, then it just won't run well. Game development isn't as easy as you guys might think.
The switch versions my favorite: I just love being able to take this wherever! I made a lot of great memories with the game that way, and that's what it's really all about. No matter your platform of choice, I hope everyone had a great time with this amazing game! And stop making fun of other people's platform preferences please. We're all gamers here trying to enjoy the same game.
Beautiful game, less is more as they focused on the subtle elements that really add up. It's a joy to see all these animations and effects blend so seamlessly and at this pace. Bravo sega!
I'm pretty sure other people noticed it, and DF you did it too, but didn't mention: in the 3D bonus stages, Sonic's model looks pretty similar to the one in Saturn's Sonic Jam. And it's another awesome reference.
"Sorry, the Windows version of Sonic Mania requires Windows 95 and a maximum color depth of 256 color - please adjust your settings and change your OS"
Fear not, my friend. For Denuvo is here to give what you desired. If anyone does not see that I'm sarcastic, then out of luck for those who do so. In fact, this is the case as that might be one of the reasons behind the delay of the PC version of Sonic Mania. Regarding that, I'm serious about this one. Anyway, I'm interested in playing Sonic Mania even though it was thanks to this game where I became interested in the series. I think I will get the Switch version instead because of the issue that I have explained earlier.
If Nintendo was so out of touch with gamers then they wouldn't have generated record-breaking sales figures with the Switch. Everybody makes mistakes, and you can still download AM2R if you want. What they really ought to do is remake the entire original 2D Metroid trilogy. Include the original games from NES, SNES, and Gameboy along with Zero Mission, AM2R, and a revamped Super Metroid all on a single Switch card. All of the work is basically done except for upscaling the graphics, remastering the audio, and adding in a few additional controls and options for an in-game map in the earlier titles.
I get where you're coming from with the Metroid reference, and I don't disagree that Nintendo blew it with the opportunity to bring aboard an extremely talented and passionate dev to create excellent future products, but the other side of that question that never get's asked is "What major publisher has proven to be so unreliable with their own flagship franchise that it took the effort of recruited fans to make a product that by and far exceeds the quality of a majority of in house developed products made over the last decade or so"? In that respect, Sega truly does what Nintendon't.
But why not let fans create a game? Capcom let fans submit robot masters for mega man back in the day. And even recently, Warframe is a game that lets the community design skins and weapons. Was Capcom struggling with ideas for bosses? No. Is Warframe running dry on skin and weapon concepts? Of course not. But what better way than to get your community behind you than to get them involved with the game/franchise they love? I don't think ST is necessarily struggling but with so many new and old developers and differences, maybe the studio lost it's way, which is not uncommon for long running franchises like Sonic. (Look at Star Fox Zero). Sonic Lost world wasn't bad but it was oozing with experimentation. Handing off Sonic to Big Red Button was a mistake and look what happened. We got Sonic Boom. Maybe Sega thought they could get another Sonic 2 but that completely backfired. This game basically was Sega asking, "What do you guys want?" How many devs will swallow their pride and do that? Let alone make an official sequel? And look what came of it. A great game critics and fans love. It's a great thing to do. Nintendo should let fans take the reigns on a new Star Fox. Who else knows what fans want but fans themselves?
Your examples of fan input are apples and oranges to letting fans design a game from the ground up, with a budget, under contract, in an office, with a team. You don't think Sonic Team is struggling, then you give examples as to why their struggling? Doesn't bouncing around so many flawed gameplay concepts and developers prove that there is creative struggling? Not to sound like an ass, but you don't make any sense with the entirety of the second paragraph Is StarFox Nintendo's *flagship series*? StarFox has been more miss than hit in the entirety of it's existence regardless, because conceptually, StarFox was an IP meant to drive tech, not gameplay like most other Nintendo franchises. The same fate of being tech first projects befalls franchises like Pilotwings, F-ZERO, WaveRace and a host of other games under their umbrella that serve as examples of what can be done with hardware. It sucks that that's their ultimate purpose, as I would love a new F-ZERO game. I'm not saying that official fanmade projects don't have a place in the industry, quite the opposite. But when you come for respectable development houses with tired memes to push a point, I find it best to look at the source first. This official Sonic fangame is made out of desperation for quality that simply hasn't been achieved in-house over an extended period of time. It is equally as remarkable and innovative, as it is sad for the circumstances that require it exist at all.
the genesis sonic games don't use interrupts to do parallax scrolling, there's a space in vram where you can just write a table with the desired x offset of each scanline and then the hardware handles it automagically ;)
TheOneWhoPlays *Sends Classic Sonic* Sonic Mania breached the barrier that seperates the 90s and present day so Classic Sonic can officially come save you!
other tomperson Sega is a third party company therefore they're fine with fan projects. Nintendo on the other hand is still in the console business so they need to protect their IPs. Cancelling fan projects may not be the right thing to do but it's definitely the legal one.
Kniffel101 Well, rendering in software is kinda showing off in modern days. They probably use different coding method compared to a shader based algorithm. I'd imagine it would be hard to redo it in GPU to achieve a 100% pixel to pixel identical special stage.
That's a good AM2R drop there :3 Either way, thanks for the analysis and wow it sure sounds like a proper SEGA game, can't wait for the PC version to drop :3
ToterHD Hmmm Super Mario 3D Land 2011, New Super Mario bros 2 2012, New Super Mario Bros U 2012, Super Mario 3D World 2013, Super Mario Maker 2015. I think those are more than 1.
Osbaldo Garrote Sonic games can also be divided into 2d and 3d games, yes they are still platformers but they are so different to each other because of the extra dimension, obviously. The last 2d sonic game was the sonic 4 trilogy episode attempt. And well the difference here is that 3d mario games are the best and the 2d mario games need a desperate refresh.
I wish I still had my vintage Magnavox TV I used to play with from the 90's!!!! It was an expensive crt and i played many vintage games. Nostalgia. Sonic mania would look so cool on an crt tv
IT'S THE BEST 2D SANIC GAME EVER GREAT PIXEL ART MULTILAYER BACKGROUND AWESOME MUSIC GREAT PHYSIC AND CONTROL 1080P 60FPS OR 4K 60FPS PLAY ON SWITCH, PS4, XBOX, AND PCMR
You know what this exactly like? STREET OF RAGE REMAKE! It's a sort of compilation of classic megadrive games with vastly improved graphics and sound mixed with expanded classic levels and entirely new ones and also new game mechanics. The other thing it shares with SOR remake is the clear love for the source material.
Awesome video, and Sonic Mania is incredible. Sega deserves all the credit in the world for taking on this pitch and letting these talented developers create one of the best Sonic games ever made.
I've experienced both issues regarding the Switch version. Those being the HOME button not working properly (in both portable and docked modes,) and had the music cut out after I lost an invincibility powerup. The sometimes variable framerate was also noticeable in the bonus stages. All that aside, the game is an incredibly well-done faithful classic Sonic title. Not exactly a huge Sonic fan personally, but I still found it worth the troubles and it has me excited for the future of the franchise.
Sega allows fans to make the game on their own franchise because Sega themselves FAILS to make the games on their franchise (Still have nightmares from Sonic 06 as a fan of the franchise), unlike Nintendo who still can produce masterpieces like nobody else. Nintendo is what Genesisn't (well actually Sega isn't, Genesis is a great console) and I'm sure Sonic Forces will be mediocore
Rustam Abdulkerimov Sonic 06 was one main bad game. Sonic Boom is a spinoff. If you count spinoffs then I could say nintendo failed with mario because of hotel mario.
Actually Sonic Boom was kind of series' reboot with it's own changed universe, they even launched TV series. I wasn't mind of that idea, but the quality of all that sucked ass. Not only Boom series - Sonic Lost World was mediocore, only Sonic Generations was okay but not great, while most of Mario games stands higher than anyone in terms of quality and gameplay in platforming, and thank God they weren't developing Hotel Mario, as it was a product of failed partnership with Philips
PikaPlayzHD Sonic Boom wasn't made by Sonic Team, but people still bash it and act like it's part of the main game when it's a spinoff. So why don't they treat hotel mario like that?
TheOneWhoPlays lmfao dude stop with this reaching. What year was Hotel Mario released in and what negative effect did it have on the ton of good Mario games that were released afterwards?
Prince Dizzy This guy talks shit about PC on literally every video 😂 you can't stand the fact that PC is so much better than your kiddie console. PC will be 4K, have 144 fps and lots of mods just like Sonic Generations. Man is it a great time to be a PC gamer
Vladimir Putin lies a NASA pc can't even run this really gpu and cpu intensive game.... have you tried playing this in 244p? You'll be lucky to run at 10p
Punch Down King What about Sonic 2006, Boom and Fire and Ice and so and so on? Being oblivious much? ;) And let's not add the fact that's not even The Sonic Team that did this game (the next one will be Forces btw), it was a fan. That's just sad. ;)
kenedid Med Hotel Mario, Mario Maker, Mario is missing, Mario Number games (x3), Mario Alphabet game. I can list even more if you want. It's also sad how nintendo disrespects is fans for making better games than them.
God damn, I love you guys. I was like. Oh man, it would be too good if Digital Foundry had a Sonic Mania video up about performance. And what do you know. Here it is,
The dig at Nintendo at the end was a bit uncalled for. Nintendo shuts down fan projects b cause they can actually deliver better games than the fans - sega however seem to struggle at understanding what the fans want. I'm pretty sure the Metroid 2 by Nintendo will be a lot better then the one the fan made
I mean you're not wrong, and I hate to say that, anyway Nintendo dmca'd the guy because there was a remake of Metroid 2 in the works and yeah, I think it'll be pretty good, Nintendo makes great games naturally, they know how to make games, i'm no fanboy but you do have a bit of a point HOWEVER Sega does make decent games and definitely is trying, but yeah, Sonic's track record lately has't been that great, it's good he's back with Sonic Mania though
WOW the switch doesn't manage to maintain 60fps on this? dissapointing. i laughed when he said the ps4pro is native 4k though xD anyway great video once again
Pixels won't look any sharper in 4K than they do in 1080p. At least that's the case with pixelated games like this. The pixels are already much larger than the screen's pixels, you can't get them that much clearer.
Anon 4ever WHO THE FUCK IS FAN BOYING HERE!? ALL IM SAYING IS PORTABILITY MAKES IT THE BEST VERSION FOR ME! ITS A FUCKING SPRITE BASED GAME I DONT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT STUPID SHIT. WE ALL KNOW THE PS4 BEAST THE SWITCH ASS IN TERMS OF POWER. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE FUCK WAS I ACTING LIKE A FAN BOY? SINCE WHEN IS IT WRONG TO SHARE YOUR OPINION. I NEVER SAID DF ANALYSIS WAS WRONG.
I about fell off my chair when Metroid flashed on screen, Bravo on that dig. AM2R is an amazing game that deserved this kind of treatment from Nintendo.
David Francois I understand, but for many of us portability is a pretty big deciding factor. For those of us who are always on the move and don't have many time at home, the switch is the best choice.
This switch cant even run it lol . It has trouble keeping smooth 60fps with literally early sega Saturn graphics. It also has something like half the resolution of PC or PS4 pro ports. Your obvious reasons aren't so obvious to me.
Robert Cadav For many of us, obviously not for you. If it literally has the graphics of a sega saturn game then I wonder if it's a bug or maybe it clearly is overheating the switch. 🤔
Robert Cadav You clearly didn't watch the video. It drops frames during ONE special stage and it will be patched later. It runs at a locked 60fps on regular stages.
Im glad people are enjoying this. I personally cant go back to sprites. Had enough in the 80s and 90s. The headaches and eyestrain lol. But good to seeing do well
Yes, the sound issue where music randomly starts or keeps going still exists, switch performance has been improved in bonus stages, and I used to have the home button issue but that was patched too.
One thing I wish they changed is the waterfalls though. The waterfalls are like stripes to create a transparency effect that only worked on RF and composite on a small TV, on emulation and recreations like this it doesn't look very good, so they should just have made a transparency layer.
For those dissing the Switch because of the performance issues on the 3D sections: Christian Whitehead's Retro Engine uses *software rendering* instead of native hardware rendering because it's a more general solution and allows games made on it to be ported to multiple platforms relatively easy. Even though software rendering is generally _okay_ for 2D games and allows for things like line scroll and palette animation, the drawback is that 3D sections are _also_ rendered by software, and polygon rastering is a *slow* operation, ploting pixel by boring pixel, which ultimately leaves performance at the mercy of the target platform's CPU. It also doesn't help the fact that the company hired to aid in the process of porting to the Switch is notorious for their unoptimized codebase. So it's not the Switch's fault.
Endri Lauson *WHATS THIS?!?! A REAL THOUGHTOUT ARGUMENT!?!?*
lmao they fixed it anyway
Nathan they did?
Miguel Carvalho yeah in the first patch they released. They also fixed an issue where the home button didn't immediately respond.
Wait, I thought the PC version uses DirectX or opengl, I mean, maybe it's just backend be DX or ogl
10/10 for that Metroid reference.
Rolodzeo lmao
the burn
Sonic Mania will probably be the only PS4 Pro game to run natively at 4K
lol but New Super lucky’s Tale got 4K as well atleast
The metroid taunt here is pure comedy. This is really all us retro gamers wanted. A good game jeez.
I love that you put in the AM2R reference, and truly Sega does what Nintendon't
wheres warren Go to hadeox's video.
I doubt Samus Returns was actually being made when they pulled the plug on AMR2. Most likely they commissioned development after the fact when they realized there was interest in a Metroid II remake. It isn't even being made in-house by Nintendo.
AM2R was in development before the 3DS system was even released...
hey, man?
it's a joke, i think, but don't quote me on that one.
Based on what we know (Mercury Steam pitched a Metroid game to Nintendo in 2015, and Sakamoto said he chose Mercury Steam because he heard that they were interested in making a remake) and the fact that game development, even on 3DS, usually takes more than just one year, I'm confident they were already way underway with development of the remake when AM2R came out.
John Linneman .you seriously are awesome. when you do video game breakdowns and in depth looks. i can seriously just enjoy every bit of information you put out. you guys at digital foundry are my number 1 favorite UA-cam channel
So the Blast Processing was real after all. Your move, Nintendo.
lmao that one frame of AM2R gameplay
Sega indeed does what Nintendon't.
That was more than one frame, just saying.
and SEGA's console plays this at...?
RantKid SEGA's funeral
Arhum Man, if I were you, I'd turn off notifications before a shitload of Nintentards blow up your phone.
Glad I downloaded it before it got shutdown. Pissed he didn't have time to complete the mobile version though.
Sega does what Nintendon't.
Respects their fans and their work.being able to Regonize talent and seeking a opportunity rather than being defensive and destroying potential and goodwill. Because that's who benefits the most from mania. The fans who made this, they are doing a great service to the community whose impact will likely be felt for generations. And shoutout to df, awesome as always.
And for the love of Christ, Stop saying this is a desperate move by Sega. they are a multi-million dollar corporation where is this desperation?. give the devs more credit. They've proven themselves to make great games that deserve to make games. Welcome to to the next level. Cause Sega just innovated where Nintendo chose not to
They also make garbage games, unlike Nintendo which is why they have to hire fans in the first place.
So because Nintendo has the right to protect their properties that means they don't respect fans? Imagine if you were Nintendo planning to remake Metroid2 and a team of people on internet were doing it themselves with plans to release it for free. What would be the most logical thing to do as a company?
The metroid remake is one thing but nintendo has shut down countless fan projects that didn't conflict with anything they were releasing.
Nintendo is also not a 3rd Party company who can just let people use their property without rhyme or reason.
Seventriple777 Whether it conflicts with that they're making or not they still have the right as a company to take them down. People should know and expect this by now. And if you are inspired by a game use that inspiration to make something original. Look at Toby Fox, he started by making Earthbound hacks but he didn't then move on to try and make an Earthbound remake or Mother 4 and instead made something completely new inspired by that series and it was super successful.
THIS is how you make a remaster without messing with original games art (lookin at you 343)
@Janne Mannequin You do not know the definition of remake. This is a remaster,but still looks like outdated regurgitated Sega games that they have been pushing for decades. Sonic needed reinventing. Sega games needed remakes in hd,not the same pixelated repeat trash they have been pushing for years. Double Dragon Neon,that is a true remake. Complete redone artwork in crisp HD with vivid colors,new animations,the works. Sonic is the same rehash since the 1990s. Sonic Adventure changed the game,but they stopped innovating after Sonic Adventure.
Keepskatin oh i meant remaster. I always get remakes, remasters and reimaginings wrong since english is not my main language lol. Fixed my original comment
@Janne Good man,you take accountability and responsibility. I have no quarrel with you now.
it's not a remake.
Actually this isn't even a remaster since it's a new game. It has actual new content. A remaster would be if they took Sonic 1, for example, modified it to make it widescreen, maybe cleared up the audio a bit and added a smoothing filter on top of it or something, and that's it.
That AM2R flashcut had me laughing out loud. Good one, haha.
Can you feel the sunshine. Does it brighten up your day?
Nice job with the Sonic R reference Trisky!!!!!!!!!! I give you the ability to go super (and hyper) Trisky and all seven chaos emeralds.
I love how tons of people are calling the Switch weak for not running the game at a locked 60 fps rate. Guys... It's not the Switch's fault, it's the port that was not perfect. It'll probably be fixed. Remember, the main team behind the game did not port the game to the Switch and it does not matter if it's a 16bit, 32bit or 64bit game, even if the console is capable of running it, if the developers/port development team can't handle it properly, then it just won't run well. Game development isn't as easy as you guys might think.
The switch versions my favorite: I just love being able to take this wherever! I made a lot of great memories with the game that way, and that's what it's really all about.
No matter your platform of choice, I hope everyone had a great time with this amazing game!
And stop making fun of other people's platform preferences please. We're all gamers here trying to enjoy the same game.
Yes! A Sonic Mania with John's input on it. Loved it!
One of the best DF videos todate tbh, SEGA should give Streets Of Rage the Mania treatment.
Martian Manhunter Agreed!
This should've been Sonic 4.
Spinosaurusking875 it can't cause it has Remaster levels from all games. Not new levels
??? Actually it still can. The story is about time travel... And technically it is. Hence the elevator scene.
There was a Sonic 4. It sucked.
Silly billy this is Sonic 4 what other game are you talking about
Poever They're referring to how this should have been Sonic 4 instead of the actual Sonic 4 we did get.
The Best and Most Complete review for Sonic Mania I`ve seen so far.
Beautiful game, less is more as they focused on the subtle elements that really add up. It's a joy to see all these animations and effects blend so seamlessly and at this pace. Bravo sega!
So... It brightens up your day... Like feeling the sunshine...
That split second of AM2R footage killed me
I'm pretty sure other people noticed it, and DF you did it too, but didn't mention: in the 3D bonus stages, Sonic's model looks pretty similar to the one in Saturn's Sonic Jam. And it's another awesome reference.
sonic generations is the best modern sonic game ever!
That CRT-Sharp filter looks amazing!
I hope the PC port runs like crap because of nostalgia.
"Sorry, the Windows version of Sonic Mania requires Windows 95 and a maximum color depth of 256 color - please adjust your settings and change your OS"
Don't you be going around cursing others.
Fear not, my friend. For Denuvo is here to give what you desired.
If anyone does not see that I'm sarcastic, then out of luck for those who do so. In fact, this is the case as that might be one of the reasons behind the delay of the PC version of Sonic Mania. Regarding that, I'm serious about this one.
Anyway, I'm interested in playing Sonic Mania even though it was thanks to this game where I became interested in the series. I think I will get the Switch version instead because of the issue that I have explained earlier.
lol I loved that AM2R reference. Throwing shade DF! ;)
Omg! That slap at Nintendo for what they did to AM2R. XD I love this channel!
AM2R was in development before the 3DS system was even released...
LordMaledict Yet the company "stuck in the past" has shown to be way more consistent than the company who just so happened to try to fix their shit.
NM64 - Nintendo Maniac 64 that's completely irrelevant m8
If Nintendo was so out of touch with gamers then they wouldn't have generated record-breaking sales figures with the Switch. Everybody makes mistakes, and you can still download AM2R if you want. What they really ought to do is remake the entire original 2D Metroid trilogy. Include the original games from NES, SNES, and Gameboy along with Zero Mission, AM2R, and a revamped Super Metroid all on a single Switch card. All of the work is basically done except for upscaling the graphics, remastering the audio, and adding in a few additional controls and options for an in-game map in the earlier titles.
LordMaledict what you don't get is that Nintendo doesn't need fans to make there games for them they already have tons talent.
Nice frame of AM2R thrown in there. Great video, now hopefully it gets a physical release.
I get where you're coming from with the Metroid reference, and I don't disagree that Nintendo blew it with the opportunity to bring aboard an extremely talented and passionate dev to create excellent future products, but the other side of that question that never get's asked is "What major publisher has proven to be so unreliable with their own flagship franchise that it took the effort of recruited fans to make a product that by and far exceeds the quality of a majority of in house developed products made over the last decade or so"? In that respect, Sega truly does what Nintendon't.
But why not let fans create a game? Capcom let fans submit robot masters for mega man back in the day. And even recently, Warframe is a game that lets the community design skins and weapons. Was Capcom struggling with ideas for bosses? No. Is Warframe running dry on skin and weapon concepts? Of course not. But what better way than to get your community behind you than to get them involved with the game/franchise they love?
I don't think ST is necessarily struggling but with so many new and old developers and differences, maybe the studio lost it's way, which is not uncommon for long running franchises like Sonic. (Look at Star Fox Zero). Sonic Lost world wasn't bad but it was oozing with experimentation. Handing off Sonic to Big Red Button was a mistake and look what happened. We got Sonic Boom. Maybe Sega thought they could get another Sonic 2 but that completely backfired.
This game basically was Sega asking, "What do you guys want?" How many devs will swallow their pride and do that? Let alone make an official sequel? And look what came of it. A great game critics and fans love. It's a great thing to do. Nintendo should let fans take the reigns on a new Star Fox. Who else knows what fans want but fans themselves?
Your examples of fan input are apples and oranges to letting fans design a game from the ground up, with a budget, under contract, in an office, with a team.
You don't think Sonic Team is struggling, then you give examples as to why their struggling? Doesn't bouncing around so many flawed gameplay concepts and developers prove that there is creative struggling? Not to sound like an ass, but you don't make any sense with the entirety of the second paragraph
Is StarFox Nintendo's *flagship series*? StarFox has been more miss than hit in the entirety of it's existence regardless, because conceptually, StarFox was an IP meant to drive tech, not gameplay like most other Nintendo franchises. The same fate of being tech first projects befalls franchises like Pilotwings, F-ZERO, WaveRace and a host of other games under their umbrella that serve as examples of what can be done with hardware. It sucks that that's their ultimate purpose, as I would love a new F-ZERO game.
I'm not saying that official fanmade projects don't have a place in the industry, quite the opposite. But when you come for respectable development houses with tired memes to push a point, I find it best to look at the source first. This official Sonic fangame is made out of desperation for quality that simply hasn't been achieved in-house over an extended period of time. It is equally as remarkable and innovative, as it is sad for the circumstances that require it exist at all.
the genesis sonic games don't use interrupts to do parallax scrolling, there's a space in vram where you can just write a table with the desired x offset of each scanline and then the hardware handles it automagically ;)
Why is everyone talking about Nintendo in the comments instead of Sonic Mania? the Sonic fanbase is weird as fuck
Stuck in the 90s as usual...
Because the moron DigitalFaund shitted on Nintendo for no reason.
Touc * Jason HELP! I'M STUCK IN THE 90'S, SEND SOMEONE TO GET ME OUT!!!!!!
TheOneWhoPlays *Sends Classic Sonic*
Sonic Mania breached the barrier that seperates the 90s and present day so Classic Sonic can officially come save you!
One of the worst fanbase
Being a 80s baby growing up playing every Sonic game to date..... This is a instant classic with Sonic Generations!!! 💯
Am2r lol, I saw that sneaky bastards lol
Just been playing this on the xbox, it really is the best Sonic game ever for fans of Sonic.
Meanwhile Nintendo would have ordered him to undo his work and threatened to sue...
well because they don't need a fan to make a great game for them, Nintendo knows how to do that already
other tomperson Sega is a third party company therefore they're fine with fan projects. Nintendo on the other hand is still in the console business so they need to protect their IPs. Cancelling fan projects may not be the right thing to do but it's definitely the legal one.
I was never a fan of Sonic, but knowing the passion behind this title, I got it on day-one to support the projects like this.
I remember that stealth mentioned the bonus stage is rendered in software. Then the switch slowdown is bounded by CPU?
Freddie Wang
That'd explain it, yet Tantalus' job was to port it and with that they should've optimized it. (as in: render it via the GPU)
Kniffel101 Well, rendering in software is kinda showing off in modern days. They probably use different coding method compared to a shader based algorithm. I'd imagine it would be hard to redo it in GPU to achieve a 100% pixel to pixel identical special stage.
+Freddie Wang The slowdown seems to be fixed in the latest updates of the game though :)
I see what you did there, 1 frame of some random metroid game now stuck in my head
Streets of Rage 1, 2 & 3 next please!
YES! Right on.
You get my like for the AM2R frame, good stuff. Nintendo def should've let fans help make Metroid years ago.
That's a good AM2R drop there :3
Either way, thanks for the analysis and wow it sure sounds like a proper SEGA game, can't wait for the PC version to drop :3
Great work as always!
I liked the New Super Mario Bros. music... especially the Underwater theme...
JacksonLOVESNintendo same here
Awesome video by DF as usual. The game looks great too
PC version is delayed because modern PCs aren't strong enough to run this very demanding game.
Thx for that video - Sonic Mania is so gorgeous!! SONIC MANIA DOES WHAT TEAM SONIC DON'T! ;)
Well, i'm gonna say this... So far i've enjoyed Sonic Mania more than any Mario game since Super Mario Galaxy 2.
ToterHD Hmmm Super Mario 3D Land 2011, New Super Mario bros 2 2012, New Super Mario Bros U 2012, Super Mario 3D World 2013, Super Mario Maker 2015. I think those are more than 1.
ToterHD I meaned any Mario platform game. The same could be said about Sonic Mania, it isn't a game of the main series, that would be Forces.
Osbaldo Garrote Sonic games can also be divided into 2d and 3d games, yes they are still platformers but they are so different to each other because of the extra dimension, obviously. The last 2d sonic game was the sonic 4 trilogy episode attempt. And well the difference here is that 3d mario games are the best and the 2d mario games need a desperate refresh.
Because Odyssey hasn't come out yet?... Because any other Mario game hasn't had a Galaxy/64/Sunshine style like since then.
Wasn't Galaxy 2 Nintendo's 2nd most recent Mario game?? Lmao that isn't even far back.
I wish I still had my vintage Magnavox TV I used to play with from the 90's!!!! It was an expensive crt and i played many vintage games. Nostalgia. Sonic mania would look so cool on an crt tv
That Metroid Burn tho.
IT'S THE BEST 2D SANIC GAME EVER
GREAT PIXEL ART
MULTILAYER BACKGROUND
AWESOME MUSIC
GREAT PHYSIC AND CONTROL
1080P 60FPS OR 4K 60FPS
PLAY ON SWITCH, PS4, XBOX, AND PCMR
...any idea why it's 100 MB more on Xbox One than both PS4 and Switch?
Microsoft DRM shit.
5persondude not explained but it's only 100mb so no big deal
You know what this exactly like? STREET OF RAGE REMAKE! It's a sort of compilation of classic megadrive games with vastly improved graphics and sound mixed with expanded classic levels and entirely new ones and also new game mechanics. The other thing it shares with SOR remake is the clear love for the source material.
Is There Digital foundry in the best channel Game Analysis.
I'm is Brasil!!!!!
yes
YURI MAKER STUDIOS Não usa mais tradutor não por favor kk.
I'm is Brasil, completamente errado.
YURI MAKER STUDIOS i'm native engrish speaker!!!!1!!1111!!1!!!!1!1
SOPA DE MACACO, UMA DELICIA
Awesome video, and Sonic Mania is incredible. Sega deserves all the credit in the world for taking on this pitch and letting these talented developers create one of the best Sonic games ever made.
Chelsea lost to Burnley🤣😂🤣
I've experienced both issues regarding the Switch version. Those being the HOME button not working properly (in both portable and docked modes,) and had the music cut out after I lost an invincibility powerup. The sometimes variable framerate was also noticeable in the bonus stages. All that aside, the game is an incredibly well-done faithful classic Sonic title. Not exactly a huge Sonic fan personally, but I still found it worth the troubles and it has me excited for the future of the franchise.
Sega allows fans to make the game on their own franchise because Sega themselves FAILS to make the games on their franchise (Still have nightmares from Sonic 06 as a fan of the franchise), unlike Nintendo who still can produce masterpieces like nobody else. Nintendo is what Genesisn't (well actually Sega isn't, Genesis is a great console) and I'm sure Sonic Forces will be mediocore
Rustam Abdulkerimov Sonic 06 was one main bad game. Sonic Boom is a spinoff. If you count spinoffs then I could say nintendo failed with mario because of hotel mario.
Actually Sonic Boom was kind of series' reboot with it's own changed universe, they even launched TV series. I wasn't mind of that idea, but the quality of all that sucked ass. Not only Boom series - Sonic Lost World was mediocore, only Sonic Generations was okay but not great, while most of Mario games stands higher than anyone in terms of quality and gameplay in platforming, and thank God they weren't developing Hotel Mario, as it was a product of failed partnership with Philips
TheOneWhoPlays um.. Hotel Mario wasn't made by Nintendo
PikaPlayzHD Sonic Boom wasn't made by Sonic Team, but people still bash it and act like it's part of the main game when it's a spinoff. So why don't they treat hotel mario like that?
TheOneWhoPlays lmfao dude stop with this reaching. What year was Hotel Mario released in and what negative effect did it have on the ton of good Mario games that were released afterwards?
Wow, the colors and contrast of the 4k mode is supperbly accurate. Hopefully too much info on the screen will not cause eye strain.
Excellent vid, the Console versions are getting excellent reviews but the PC port is delayed and might have problems.
Prince Dizzy Why would a pixel game run terribly on PC? Explain yourself.
Lol
Paul Beenis the Parrot See the Switch version's performance? Imagine something like that on a PC. It should work, but there can be plenty of bugs
Prince Dizzy This guy talks shit about PC on literally every video 😂 you can't stand the fact that PC is so much better than your kiddie console. PC will be 4K, have 144 fps and lots of mods just like Sonic Generations. Man is it a great time to be a PC gamer
Prince Dizzy no lol
Great job. You just reinvigorated the Sega vs. Nintendo console wars again.
Switch wins because portability.
It will once they patch the performance issue in the special stage there.
FirPtl really not that noticeable and a lot of people won't even find the special stage.
+SweetDangos still a factor though. but yea not really a big issue.
I'll just play on Vita with 60fps remoteplay.
Sai G Enjoy the latency and lag that remote play provides - coming from a Vita owner.
Damn all these videos coming out today about this game make me wish I could play it right now.
Its a pixel game. Anything can run it. Enough said.
Vladimir Putin that's not how it works
Vladimir Putin lies a NASA pc can't even run this really gpu and cpu intensive game.... have you tried playing this in 244p? You'll be lucky to run at 10p
Vladimir Putin yes but most of the time devs manage to screw up and be lazy like with mighty#9
Apparently not the switch at a locked 60fps.
Games are a lot more complicated than they look.
Great analysis. Currently playing it on the Switch with much enjoyment. That am2r reference made me laugh so hard.
switch superior version ill admit, as a PC owner. console and handheld mode.
Can play the Switch version on the shitter.
@@cakeisamadeupdrug6134 true
Chemical Plant music was a great choice for the background music, my favorite Sonic song of all time.
Just lovely, sega has allways done what nintendon't ❤
By making shit games in general now?
Punch Down King What about Sonic 2006, Boom and Fire and Ice and so and so on? Being oblivious much? ;)
And let's not add the fact that's not even The Sonic Team that did this game (the next one will be Forces btw), it was a fan. That's just sad. ;)
By being third party?
kenedid Med Hotel Mario, Mario Maker, Mario is missing, Mario Number games (x3), Mario Alphabet game. I can list even more if you want. It's also sad how nintendo disrespects is fans for making better games than them.
TheOneWhoPlays
>Literally remaking or modifying something originally created by Nintendo
>"Fans make better games"
LMFAO!!!!!
God damn, I love you guys. I was like. Oh man, it would be too good if Digital Foundry had a Sonic Mania video up about performance. And what do you know. Here it is,
This Retro guy is obviosuly biased against Nintendo. Also, sega makes ONE decent Sonic game at last and they are better than Nintendo? Get outta here
That Metroid 2 Remake cameo tho 😂😂
The dig at Nintendo at the end was a bit uncalled for. Nintendo shuts down fan projects b cause they can actually deliver better games than the fans - sega however seem to struggle at understanding what the fans want. I'm pretty sure the Metroid 2 by Nintendo will be a lot better then the one the fan made
Get your head. OUTTA Nintendo's ASS!!!
Turniplord What a fanboy lol
I mean you're not wrong, and I hate to say that, anyway Nintendo dmca'd the guy because there was a remake of Metroid 2 in the works and yeah, I think it'll be pretty good, Nintendo makes great games naturally, they know how to make games, i'm no fanboy but you do have a bit of a point HOWEVER Sega does make decent games and definitely is trying, but yeah, Sonic's track record lately has't been that great, it's good he's back with Sonic Mania though
Turniplord Just like SEGA shut down that Streets of rage homebrew
Millenia Williams gr8 argument m8 i r8 8/8
The final jab at Nintendo is PURE GOLD. Love it!
WOW the switch doesn't manage to maintain 60fps on this? dissapointing.
i laughed when he said the ps4pro is native 4k though xD
anyway great video once again
Ziv Riger Isnt the Switchs fault tho.
what do you mean by that? whose fault would it be that a 3d pixel game fails to maintian 60fps
The Switch problem is obviously a bug or something. It will be fixed
Ziv Riger The Developers. Graphically much more demanding games run at 1080p@60 on the Switch.
Alberto Lamar i am actually a sony and pc fan though. I laughed because i didnt expect for a pixel game to utilise the pro
Pixels won't look any sharper in 4K than they do in 1080p. At least that's the case with pixelated games like this. The pixels are already much larger than the screen's pixels, you can't get them that much clearer.
Switch is the best version for obvious reasons
Anon 4ever how?
Portability is amazing. Im playing on break at work now. I feel like im never at home.
Anon 4ever my switch crashed in portable mode and i get a delay on my home button too :(
Anon 4ever WHO THE FUCK IS FAN BOYING HERE!? ALL IM SAYING IS PORTABILITY MAKES IT THE BEST VERSION FOR ME! ITS A FUCKING SPRITE BASED GAME I DONT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT STUPID SHIT. WE ALL KNOW THE PS4 BEAST THE SWITCH ASS IN TERMS OF POWER. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE FUCK WAS I ACTING LIKE A FAN BOY? SINCE WHEN IS IT WRONG TO SHARE YOUR OPINION. I NEVER SAID DF ANALYSIS WAS WRONG.
Agreed, the switch is the best version by far. PS4 is a good runnerup though.
ApolloRED nope
I about fell off my chair when Metroid flashed on screen, Bravo on that dig. AM2R is an amazing game that deserved this kind of treatment from Nintendo.
Switch has the best choice for obvious reasons.
no it isn't, i rather play this in 4k than 1080p or 720p, portability does nothing for me
David Francois I understand, but for many of us portability is a pretty big deciding factor. For those of us who are always on the move and don't have many time at home, the switch is the best choice.
This switch cant even run it lol . It has trouble keeping smooth 60fps with literally early sega Saturn graphics. It also has something like half the resolution of PC or PS4 pro ports. Your obvious reasons aren't so obvious to me.
Robert Cadav For many of us, obviously not for you. If it literally has the graphics of a sega saturn game then I wonder if it's a bug or maybe it clearly is overheating the switch. 🤔
Robert Cadav You clearly didn't watch the video. It drops frames during ONE special stage and it will be patched later. It runs at a locked 60fps on regular stages.
Im glad people are enjoying this. I personally cant go back to sprites. Had enough in the 80s and 90s. The headaches and eyestrain lol. But good to seeing do well
Lol the Switch is having trouble with the 3D parts.
blame the devs for poor optimizations, not the console
It's a bug, and devs are fixing it, chill.
Meanwhile in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
pld Yeah I know, wasn't being serious just then.
DragonLord222 - Meanwhile in The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
That AM2R bit was god like.
Why is there not a ps3 version?
Because the PS3 is old an ancient like the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii U
Manny Ribera because it's 2017
Because it's not 2008
ThatNormalBunny a 2d side scroller can run on anything.
Manny Ribera - No shit but everyone who played on those consoles has moved up to the PS4, Xbox One, Switch or PC
Man, those "3D" levels looked SO amazing back in the day. They ran pretty fast too when you compare them to FX chip stuff on the SNES.
"Sonic was never good"
ikagura you've never played a sonic game huh?
Sonic was VERY good actually, Sonic 2 was perfect.
ikagura The genesis games were great
Bait
Nearly? it was great.
Damn, that Metroid jab was lighting fast mac! Keep'm comin'! 1,2,1,2!
TAKE MY MONEY! I NEED THIS. Great video guys!
That little AM2R popup is stellar.
Amazing review! Professional work detected here!
I'm not sure what I want to get this on now. But one things for sure, I'm totally getting this.
Man, I hope this sells well ....I want more of these.
Funny the video started off with Mirage Saloon Act 2 BGM playing, that's the song that's been stuck in my head all damn night lol.
Ha ha, same here which is why I selected it as the first song in the video.
the soundtrack sent nostalgic shivers down my spine although it's the first time I hear it, go figure.
Nice pot shot at the end for the Nintendo & AM2R reference.
I saw what you did at the end! Very clever.
I laughed out loud when you cut in AM2R. Still got mad love for Ninty tho.
That Metroid snap was fantastic.
Yes, the sound issue where music randomly starts or keeps going still exists, switch performance has been improved in bonus stages, and I used to have the home button issue but that was patched too.
One thing I wish they changed is the waterfalls though. The waterfalls are like stripes to create a transparency effect that only worked on RF and composite on a small TV, on emulation and recreations like this it doesn't look very good, so they should just have made a transparency layer.
Well done! This game is truly a love letter to old school Sonic fans!
I saw That shot. I see what you did there. Still looking forward to the metroid 2 3ds remaster.
That Metroid snip made me laugh.