Sonic Mania is a sprite-based side-scrolling platformer presented in a similar style to the Sonic games released for the Sega Genesis. Players control one of three playable characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower or Knuckles the Echidna. Each can perform a "spin dash", whereby they curl into a ball and spin while stationary, resulting in a speed boost. Each character also has unique abilities: Sonic can perform a "drop dash" which sends him rolling in a spin dash after a jump, Tails can fly and swim, and Knuckles can glide through the air and climb walls.