Yes, Sonic Mania Has A Secret "& Knuckles" Mode

As Sonic fans undoubtedly know, the mid-90s video game Sonic & Knuckles has become a bit of a joke in the Sonic fandom universe. At the heart of the joke is Sonic & Knuckles' "lock-on technology," once an exclusive feature of the game allowing players to plug in other Sonic cartridges for hybrid modes of gameplay, which has since long lost its cutting-edge gloss but gained a whole lot of kitsch appeal driven by 90s nostalgia, to the point where adding "& Knuckles" to just about anything became a meme. However, the Japanese video game publisher is poised to take “& Knuckles” back.

Hidden in Sonic Mania, the latest titled in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchies, is an "& Knuckles" mode that allows users to play as the beloved red echidna. What's more, the game replaces Sonic's sidekick Tails with another Knuckles. That's right, "Sonic and Tails" are out, and "Knuckles and Knuckles" are in.

For those who don’t remember, back in 2015, video game fans began mocking the seemingly endless influx of reboots, spin-offs and DLC add-ons by plugging the words “& Knuckles” next to just about everything, from other video games to donut-slash-taco restaurants.

Today, the world needs more Knuckles. Create your own “& Knuckles” image & tweet to us! We’ll RT the best. BEGIN! pic.twitter.com/htpcS8Oj7V

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) June 12, 2015

Not surprisingly, Sega cheeky inclusion of the hidden "& Knuckles" mode in the game has been met with cheers and praises from the Sonic fanbase.

Until my sister gets back to me on watching Thrones, I'll be trying to unlock the "& Knuckles" mode for Sonic Mania because lol internet pic.twitter.com/aW1NSyW9F8

— Magolor (@MagolorMudkip) August 21, 2017

Sonic Mania told me I unlocked & Knuckles mode and I couldn't be happier. #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/JXqpoYhm3V

— SLKaj (@Kajv95) August 20, 2017

KNUCKLES 3 & KNUCKLES feat. Dante® from DMC© & Knuckles™ from Sonic 3 & Knuckles® #NintendoSwitch #SonicMania pic.twitter.com/57f66OaD9q

— Michael Morris (@VolatileRig) August 21, 2017

Finally, vindicated, Knuckles can live within the Sonic universe, no awkward add-on cartridge needed.