10 Video Games That Saved Franchises From The Brink Of Doom

8. Sonic Mania

Franchise on the brink? Let’s be real, Sonic’s 3D outings have always been a bit of a rollercoaster. But Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), lovingly dubbed Sonic '06, wasn’t just a bump in the road - it was a franchise faceplant at 300mph. Meant to be a next-gen reboot, it instead launched as an unfinished, bug-ridden mess of broken physics, painful load times, and camera controls that belonged in a horror game.

The plot? A fever dream of time travel, apocalyptic monsters, and a deeply cursed romance between Sonic and a human princess. Yes, that happened. Sonic '06 didn’t just hurt the brand - it turned it into a punchline. Even diehard fans started to lose faith.

Saved by: Sonic Mania 

Ironically, Sega’s redemption came not from within, but from the fans. Sonic Mania, developed by a team of long-time Sonic devotees (including Christian Whitehead), was a glorious return to the franchise’s 2D roots.

With stunning pixel art, brilliantly remixed stages, razor-sharp controls, and one of the best soundtracks in the series, Mania wasn’t just a nostalgia trip - it was a full-blown revival. It captured the speed, momentum, and joy that made Sonic iconic in the first place.

After years of confused reinventions, Sonic Mania reminded the world why the Blue Blur mattered - and proved that sometimes, going back to basics is the fastest way forward.