Sonic Mania, released in 2017 to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, sparked a resurgence of 2D Sonic memes thanks to its vibrant pixel art and expressive intro animation by Tyson Hesse. The meme templates usually capture Sonic’s high-energy expressions or the game’s 'remixed' approach to classic levels. It is frequently used by the gaming community to express excitement, nostalgia, or the feeling of something 'old' being perfected in a modern way. Whether it's a reaction to the iconic music or a nod to the game's difficulty, Sonic Mania memes represent the peak of Sega’s retro-inspired charm.