How to Catch the UFO in the Special Stages – Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania, like any Sonic the Hedgehog game worthy of its name, features the Chaos Emeralds. Seven unique gems that when collected, allow Sonic to turn into Super Sonic, an invincible super fast golden version of the blue blur.

Getting the Chaos Emeralds usually isn’t easy though, as they are hidden away in special stages. These special stages will get progressively harder, making it more difficult to get all seven as you get closer to obtaining them. You access these stages by finding the big rings located in various acts throughout the game.

Sonic Mania uses a special stage system similar to Sonic CD. You’ll need to catch a UFO that is holding the emerald before you get booted from the stage.

In order to catch the UFO,  you’ll need to run along a course filled with blue spheres, rings, and traps. What you need to do, is collect as many Blue Spheres as you can, until you fill up a mach speed meter in the center top location. Once you’ve reached the max speed (it stops going up), you’re fast enough to catch the UFO.

However, it’s not as simple as being fast enough. You also need to make sure that you stay on the path, don’t run into traps (or holes), and search for shortcuts that will catch you up to the UFO. In some stages, if you don’t find the shortcuts, you’ll never catch it. Rings are necessary for staying in the special stage if you start to take too long. Collect as many as you can to keep some before you time out.

Once you get close enough, he will catch the UFO and the Chaos Emerald will be yours. Congratulations!