Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 87 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 88 | 277 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 91 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.4, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 25,812.664 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (25)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Sonic Mania Plus is a must-have for gaming fans of all types. If you're a fan of the Genesis games, this is exactly what you've been waiting for. If you're more of a new fan, Sonic Mania Plus shows you why the series was so revered in the first place. If you already own the main title, the DLC is an excellent add-on at a reasonable price, especially for the amount of stuff you'll get.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sonic Mania Plus is an extended and refined version of the game released last year. It adds some cool features, two new playable characters beloved by fans, and it comes in a new physical edition inclusive of a gorgeous 32 pages artbook.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While it was already a fantastic package on the outset, this new update makes it even better than before. If you missed Sonic Mania the first time around, now is the perfect time to catch up.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The ‘Plus’ additions are minor but this is still a touching, and highly playable, labour of love by fans that understand Sonic The Hedgehog better than Sega themselves.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With some smart alterations to the base game provided free of charge, and brand new ways to play both the original and new remixed stages, Sonic Mania Plus is a fantastic encore to one of the best platformers in recent years. This edition is perfect for those looking to give the game another spin.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Sonic Mania Plus is an essential upgrade if you already own and enjoy the original version of the game. Newcomers should also give this updated offering a look, as it captures what made classic Sonic uniquely appealing, while fixing some of the base game’s shortcomings. Sonic Mania Plus still has a few lingering issues, but, overall, this heartfelt hedgehog homage has been honed to the next level.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“For five bucks as a digital upgrade all of these Sonic Mania Plus additions are a no-brainer. Sure, encore and maybe the multiplayer updates would have been added as free DLC in some circles, but the new characters and the package as a whole props up one of the best platformers of 2017 for a more than reasonable price.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Really, no matter how you look at it, Sonic Mania is a huge success and Sonic Mania Plus is a celebration of that success thanks to smart physical edition design and items and valuable new in-game content. At only $30, it’s a superb deal and a release I would recommend be on anyone’s short list of must-haves.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“Sonic Mania was the perfect homage to the classic hedgehog games. Plus version adds two new characters, 4 player coop split screen, new game modes and a great physical edition, so it gets even better. ”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Somehow, Christian Whitehead and team have made the definitive version of Sonic even more definitive. The genuinely challenging stages are chock-full of secrets, and will require multiple playthroughs to find everything they have to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This is the best Sonic effort in years as the developers managed to blend the things that made classic Sonic games so great in the first place.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Those looking for more Sonic could do far worse than this title, but don’t expect the extras to live up to the lofty standards set by Mania Mode.”
read full review ↗
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
Wccftech
Destructoid
Digital Chumps
Hobby Consolas
PlayStation LifeStyle
Digitally Downloaded
Gamers Heroes…and 13 more tracked reviews.