Sonic Mania Models - Low Poly (Evolution of Characters in Games) - Episode 4

After 23 years, a brand new classic Sonic released, and surprisingly, it featured 3D models ala the Sega Saturn era. In this episode of Low Poly, we check out those models and see if Team Mania achieved their goal of creating a game that possibly would have released on the Saturn.
Models -
Sonic - 0:28
Tails - 2:31
Knuckles - 3:23
Special Stage Assets - 4:32
Special Stage U.F.O - 5:26
Special Stage Ring - 6:00
Eggman's Tower - 6:21
Titanic Monarch Robot (Unused) - 6:57
Special thanks -
/ itseasyactually - 3DS Max Scripts
/ bsthlc - .rsdk Unpacker
/ franksmash_ - Ripping the meshes
Support me on Patreon - / astartshow
A+Start with Andy
Please Like, Favourite and Subscribe if you enjoyed this episode and feel free to leave any questions or game suggestions in the comments below. Thanks guys!
Follow us on Twitter - / astartshow
Like us on Facebook - / astartshow

[@gameoverjit5565]

Sonics tri count is 767. the speed of sound. *Coincidence I think NOT*

[@hi-wr3pm]

*conspearacy theories activate*

[@landonisia]

*MatPat has joined the group*

[@Jake_Josh]

*_Hey VSauce; Michael here!_*

[@usnnp415]

*hotel? TRIVAGO*

[@RomanGamerYT0]

Mariana Bjeletich, it's spelled conspiracy.

[@Jayenkai]

"Metal things on his feet. Whatever they are.." ... Knuckles' Buckles!!

[@hrw7978]

James Gamble there legos.

[@4pri792]

James Gamble I always thought they were Lego bricks.

[@KilosFoxo]

they are lego to prevent people from stomping on them

[@unknown-dq6ji]

And knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles and knuckles

[@Liggilon]

Hunter Wood *they're

[@prickstar123]

I wish this was made after Plus came out so we can see Ray and Mighty's models

[@alienxotic5028]

I mean we never had 3D ray and mighty

[@sharpielighter4580]

@@alienxotic5028 yes we did u can use them in the special stages

[@jasonroberts5670]

I agree.

[@Dogetheun]

Sharpie Lighter he mean before this video I think

[@forgetzful3658]

Galaxy_Star_Maker ahem SegaSonic The Hedgehog?

[@CianDavies03]

“After 23 years FINALLY a Zelda Low Poly was released.”

[@furbymations1159]

Happy 100 likes.

[@forgetzful3658]

Happy I have no subscribers :) (fake smile)

[@itsomega7724]

@@forgetzful3658 you have 2.

[@forgetzful3658]

It's Omega oh yeah those are from the people I know but I don’t have people I don’t know as my subscribers

[@forgetzful3658]

•Exility • this was posted a long time ago now I have more subscribers

[@HyperPotions]

Aw this is really cool man, loved watching this :)

[@jaheesaansar9919]

Hyper Potions hey

[@sonichigashikata]

Hyper Potions OMG I LOVE YOU 😍😍

[@heavypupper1219]

I know right?

[@King-ox8db]

Jonty Bott they only made the music

[@RumyJCR]

Hypa!

[@pinna3691]

After 23 years, finally, another Low Poly episode was released.

[@CarnidevRae]

Gredey Piranha lmao

[@ThatOneDudeWhoPostsStuff]

Best A+ Start video in 23 years

[@michaelgillespie8097]

Gredey Piranha Hey man he does his best. You should stop being so... Gredey.

[@bruh-dj5uo]

what is gredey

[@apurpledragon]

Penro YOU DON'T SAY.

[@arsans_]

The Titanic Monarch Zone robot is actually used in the game. They used it in the Stardust Speedway zone transition sequence in the 1.04 update. It's shown on a screen next to Robotnik in its wireframe.

[@ashlynnnorton7818]

This video was made before that, and before Plus as well.

[@user-gb3vk9jn3d]

wrong game, sans.

[@jessicaindagarage3244]

3:22 Here I come, rougher than the rest of them the best of them, tougher than leather. You can call me Knuckles, unlike Sonic I don't chuckle I'd rather flex my muscles I'm hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell I break'em down whether they're solid or frail. Unlike the rest I'm independent It's my first breath, first test feel the right then the worst's left Born on an island in the heavens The blood of my ancestors flows inside me My duty is to save the flower from evil deterioration I will be the one to set your heart free cleanse yourself of that evil spirit that got in you Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instinct Are the elements that keep me going I am fighting my own mission Nothing's gonna stand in my way I will be the one to set your heart free cleanse yourself of that evil spirit that got in you Won't be frightened I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil Just believe in myself won't rely on others Get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy This is my planet gonna fight for my destiny Here I come, rougher than the rest of them the best of them, tougher than leather. You can call me Knuckles, unlike Sonic I don't chuckle I'd rather flex my muscles I'm hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell I break'em down whether they're solid or frail. Unlike the rest I'm independent It's my first breath, first test feel the right then the worst's left I have no such things as weak spots Don't approve of him but gotta trust him This alliance has a purpose This partnership is only temporary I will be the one to set your heart free cleanse yourself of that evil spirit that got in you Won't be frightened I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil Just believe in myself won't rely on others Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored This is my planet I shall not surrender Won't be frightened I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil Just believe in myself won't rely on others Get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy This is my planet gonna fight I won't be frightened I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil Just believe in myself won't rely on others Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored This is my planet I shall not surrender The new porcupine on the block with the puff chest Outta the wilderness with the ruggedness Knock, knock, it's Knuckles, the bloat thrower Independent flower, magical emerald holder Give you the cold shoulder My spike goes through boulders That's why I stay a loner I was born by myself I don't need a posse, I get in on by myself Adversaries get shelved

[@frannielmartinez]

Ruff Ruff! Ruff Ruff! I'm a dog! Ruff Ruff! Ruff Ruff!

[@frannielmartinez]

@Kool Jayd I rather flex my KNUCKLES

[@coopgamer65gd25]

lol

[@fiblin483]

You can call me knuckles. Unlike knuckles I don't knuckle.

[@ironicanimations]

Jonah In da garage *pauses* “unlike sonic I don’t chuckle?...” “What the f *bling* ” Sonic Shorts Reference uwu

[@AStartShow]

Hey guys, Andy here and very special episode of Low Poly, you’ve been asking for the series for ages. Here it is! Enjoy! Andy (A+Start)

[@azulthewolf7630]

A+Start you're first

[@mrc14_2]

A+Start Do Link Low Poly Or maybe Super Mario Odyssey

[@The_Yosh]

Do Kirby next!

[@thelenny2772]

A+Start this series is in my opinion the best!

[@cyclops8238]

A+Start yay can you do the metal gear solid games next?☺

[@lolcat]

Afaik, Knuckles' extra tris were used to make him tougher than leather.

[@spindash64]

Lolcat I think they were put around the joint to let him flex his muscles better

[@rotundmonibuv5103]

+spindash64 He was joking, but okay.

[@Yami_555]

Rotund Monibuv so was the reply...

[@TheHuskyK9]

Less tris would've made him chuckle

[@skeletonsanonymous3474]

It really ain't hard to tell where the tris were used.

[@AidebHerb]

3:45 They're Lego bricks. Just so you know.

[@dniwetamp]

The more you know

[@LirfYT]

Now you know

[@Vicent-zq1ve]

XD, that's hilarious

[@LouisvilleNashville2132]

Aiden Bird m8 no it isn't

[@WumpusFruit]

LOL

[@PedroThePanda64]

These models are fucking wonderful, like sprites made 3D! The colors stand out, and are low poly enough to look classic, and just high enough to look great! I love em'!

[@pikatasticpikachu2881]

Don't swear I'm nine

[@kryo3322]

Just... Oh, he’s nine, ok.

[@MrFarquaad]

completely agree

[@prickstar123]

@@pikatasticpikachu2881 im 10 i always swear

[@pikatasticpikachu2881]

@@prickstar123 Well that's fine I'm just not allowed to swear.Btw I'm ten now and I don't even remember making that comment.

[@DanAtuch_Archives]

6:56 if you finish one of zones' acts, you can see this model spinning close in the background.

[@JReds-bw9kg]

That was added in an update. At the moment this video was released, the model was still unused

[@arsedog5086]

A low poly model in a Low Poly episode. That's Meta.

[@captnBill_]

& Knuckles.

[@Acey42003]

CaptN LVII STOP SAYING AND KNUCLES

[@maximyllion]

marshmello animates Just let memes be memes

[@traktor420]

Pewrosepticplier meme extrodinair and knuckles

[@mrwoopdooper6051]

A+start: knock knock it’s Knuckles! Me: knuck knuck it’s Knockles.

[@InfinityD4]

I have no idea why but I really like the 3D in Mania for some reason. It has a classic feel but looks so much better than actual classic models from actual old 3D games(N64 and PS1)

[@Agent-yw1kj]

I feel the oposite. The models look really ugly and I find the Saturn models much more appealing

[@Vitallor]

I prefer the SEGA Saturn ones but these are really good at portraying their sprites

[@gjfkhvjzjsxbq]

@@Vitallor the Sega Saturn models were the same as the genesis they didn't bother redesigning the games for the much more powerful saturn hardware which is a shame

[@NanaKyoto]

Still better than the lower poly Mario 64 Mario.

[@mumeihozumi-chan555]

Is she fat?

[@NanaKyoto]

Jonah Mar Take your rude and offensive comments elsewhere please.

[@QBCDesigns]

Nana-Kyoto your profile pic is thicc

[@michaelgillespie8097]

Nana-Kyoto Sonic's designs naturally have more sharp edges than Mario's so I think that's why Sonia's low poly models look better in comparison.

[@djheroxt]

Suomi Potatoes don't say that she hate when people call her character thicc

[@Warri0rLink]

I request Link for the next Low-Poly.

[@mapopi-mm]

As a modeller, I love this video series, keep it up!

[@an_annoying_cat]

I love the art style of these models. It's brightness combined with the no-outline art makes it so amazing.

[@missingno2401]

dude there are no textures, the polygons themselves are colored from a palette.

[@thelenny2772]

Never clicked a video faster than this! Nice video Andy!

[@twinkiesmaster69]

TheLenny27, OK lenny

[@GanjsmostPrime]

This was something I was so hoping he would cover! So glad, top content

[@noah5981]

Saaaame!

[@Seikatsu]

"THIS GUY IS FASTER THAN SONIC"

[@toasturhztoastbunz896]

TheLenny27 I couldn't because skool..

[@Mike4l6]

I love eggmans tower it surprised me so much

[@independentquebec3500]

same

[@3dextrude]

where are you getting the 3D models from?

[@levzurcher8902]

I'm glad we get another episode of Low Poly! I really enjoy seeing the transformations of these iconic characters

[@M4rtyMcFly21]

& Knuckles

[@Randomness2018]

Featuring Dante from the devil may cry series

[@KoopaTroopa1]

niksputjink 89 *DEVIL may cry

[@Spacell]

Knock Knock.

[@BubbledDEV]

Egg91 is here.

[@w2krispy138]

Better than the rest of them

[@Apterygidae]

This series may be my favorite on your channel, it's just so unique!

[@ILikeSoda229]

Son of a Glitch: 🙁

[@danyp127]

Love the Low poly series. Keep it going guys. This is great work.

[@pyropyropyro8549]

so much for this series

[@NintendoFan]

Great episode as usual. But I'm STILL waiting for those Lara Croft and Link episodes!

[@scroogemcfuck8110]

Nintendofan012 Hi!

[@EVPointMaster]

Nintendofan012 those would be interesting, but their design changed drastically multiple time, so comparing them would make less sense.

[@slyclops7818]

EVPointMaster he didn't say anything about comparing the models

[@NintendoFan]

I'm talking about the previews he did for these episodes in the first trailer for this series. He made look like he already did episodes for Lara Croft and Link.

[@mikeanthony3300]

Oh Christ! A episode on Lara Croft in other words the more recent Tomb Raider games. God the amount of polygons on Lora's but-I mean face must be crazy!

[@meheecan123]

Those metal things that's on top of Knuckles shoes are Legos.

[@Blade_the_Cat]

yung Meheecan I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this

[@meheecan123]

That's where I got it from... enjoy 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6KQlHqIirOIrdU

[@user-bu6xk1yr8w]

He is immune to stepping on legos

[@meheecan123]

Isaac Streams Knuckles can sense the power of Legos on his feet.

[@navlettetahi6384]

(yung Meheecan) I just commented that before seeing this. YOU MUST BE MY TWIN.

[@Rooboid]

Thanks for the great video as always, your commentary is always really informative and clear. Look forward to the next one!

[@andreumarti3216]

I wish there were more of these videos. As a 3D modeling apprentice, they are incredibly helpful, and there aren't many videos like these out there.

[@Scyrina]

I love this series!!! I would die for a Spyro version!!!

[@saltbread3844]

"After 23 years finally a brand new low poly episode was released"

[@StarGuy64]

Yes more Low Poly! And great video.

[@dinolover0592]

Love this series!

[@MemetendoYT]

Do the legend of zelda

[@captnBill_]

& Knuckles

[@winnie4150]

& Knuckles

[@djheroxt]

and Tails

[@BubbledDEV]

Good idea!

[@scroogemcfuck8110]

Featuring Dante from Devil May Cry!

[@sonictoast]

Love this series. You should do episodes of Knuckles, Robotnik, Tails, DK, Wario, Yoshi and Bowser and pretty much every Sonic & Mario character :)

[@mimistar4637]

Great video as always Andy!! I know these take some time and money to make, but they are greatly appreciated and very informative!! Take your time and keep producing quality vids like these!! New favorite KZbin series!! (And nice Knuckles puns)

[@engarak]

amazing episode! This is the content Id like more of!

[@williamstephens2893]

LOVE this series

[@dasonicfan9760]

Knuckles has gray legos on his shoes

[@KilosFoxo]

they were added after sonic the fighters so no-one would stomp on them

[@martihelvick4195]

Kyle average KZbin commenter he glued the legos on in sonic the fighter(as said by transfactory in his reply on your comment)so that his feet wouldn't be hurt

[@martihelvick4195]

oh wait it said after sonic the fighters in transfactory's comment

[@whoknows2113]

Thanks for the video!

[@L3AnInsanity]

CONGRATS ON 600K! NICE JOB MAN! I love your videos, and they teach me funny glitches to try out for myself. Keep up the good work!

[@Rahat-tw8vg]

FINALLY MORE LOW POLY!!!!

[@ThibautMahringer]

Next time Link from The Legend of Zelda pleaaaase!

[@Zucchinna]

the 3d assets really helped sell the whole Sega Saturn vibe, really cool stuff, and I love this Sonic model

[@juniorcarvalho4289]

One of the best shows in You Tube! Awesome job!

[@slugmoo1503]

Zelda low poly

[@Odrikah]

Seconded!

[@UCbPI0arxWTBb1DSPfyAq9mw]

No

[@henarlol2947]

No

[@riahlexington]

Yeeeeeeabhhhh!!!!

[@kymcfrick2150]

OmeiPlayZ ツ why

[@molaga3322]

Legend of Zelda low poly

[@derpmedia2373]

One of the Best KZbin series, same for son of a glitch, please keep this quality!😀

[@danielborrelli7984]

Congratulations on 600k!!

[@YTChannelNat]

Did anybody else click the video thinking "Oh cool, the models have finally been ripped! I can't wait to download and play around with them!" only to find out that they are in fact NOT available for download in any capacity? Now that's pain. I know it's not A+Start's fault, I'm just curious how many others were disappointed that Franksmash decided to keep the T-posed models to themself for the time being.

[@seant1326]

+Leonardo Rosas I've never done submissions for the VG Resource, but it seems like there's a ton of submissions that the staff has to go through.

[@WumpusFruit]

Oh well, atleast models resource is on it, and as of this message being posted they only have sonics model.

[@seant1326]

+Daniel LaBar When was the last time you've been to Model's Resource? Because they've already had Knuckles and Tails for a while.

[@Agent-yw1kj]

Nah,the Jam models are much better.

[@finn_4761]

im over here trying to get my hands on eggman's tower, ha

[@gffn7316]

low poly is great! my dude keep up the good work!!!

[@jlae111]

YETH

[@Bonetrousle]

Good work on Sonic Chaos!

[@ronkerouncil7893]

Great video

[@thrice1987]

I don't want to be the killjoy but what I enjoy the most about these low poly videos is to see what kind of artifacts devs came with to make models look detailed without actually "detailing" them. These models are actually the opposite of that, all those polygons wasted on Knuckle's boots felt like a waste.

[@Da_Swifta]

but why would you want models to be less authentically detailed? If they *can* model all these details, why wouldn't they? Textures are mostly just used for performance or for flat surfaces, but Knuckles' boots aren't flat now, are they?

[@MattRevs]

Yeah we're never getting that Link episode, are we?

[@trancethehedgehog7552]

MattRevs nope were are

[@megafan1137]

I mean, you do know these videos take a rather long time to make, right? It's likely that they're working on it, but it's just taking a long time. That, and they never confirmed a Link episode, so I don't see why you're acting like something that was never even confirmed is suddenly cancelled.

[@loggers5246]

megafan because it’s in the trailer along with Laura Croft

[@tj.henderson]

WE ARE *or are we?* *DUN DUN DUN*

[@YosephYostar]

Yeah we'll never

[@seant1326]

The UFO does in fact have animation, this can be seen when you soft-lock the game by having the "trip" animation active when close enough to the UFO.

[@mooeymaster4612]

I don’t know why I like this sho so much, but I do. Awesome video.

[@joltoid]

7:48 that model almost looks like the model in the back round where you fight metal sonic

[@josefilipecardoso8308]

Make a low poly of Lara Croft please

[@rwiseart2269]

Filipe Cardoso I'd love to see a Tomb Raider episode

[@Nyanarchyy]

& knuckles

[@newton8096]

OMFG YES!!! MORE LOW POLY!!! YESSS!!!

[@jacksoncarver469]

We need more episodes of this!

[@ihasahotdog3756]

He should make in the Legends of Zelda low poly episode

[@megafan1137]

Jesus, the amount of grammar mistakes here are just... wow.

[@gijspijnenborg3678]

Well this IS the Internet People don’t know “how to spoken”

[@michaelmodernsonicfan5341]

How speak tho

[@noahtoad4095]

5:10 all hail the air and sea gods of the Sonic universe: A Turquoise Fesh and a Burd!

[@M4rtyMcFly21]

Birb

[@akongas]

Love this

[@RyanNeoHedgehogOfficial]

Knock Knock, it's A+Start!

[@gaspardsavoureux8680]

Am happy to see this.

[@_Plebeian]

The UFO from the special stages looks like a drifblim from pokemon

[@Jester-media]

I love these videos, there so interesting for people getting into 3D modelling

[@lainaseaman3350]

It's so interesting to see how games have evolved :)

[@asuras]

I love this series gah

[@ChaosAttorney]

6:58 the model was never meant to be used in the game... they done it once in Sonic 3D Blast where they made the model and rendered it into sprites... if this video was made after the update where they did add the model as a wire frame you would still probably not know the real reason for the bot's existence

[@wiiownsps3and360]

INSANE TRILOGY!

[@somestingyontheinternet683]

This happened 8 months ago. And there hasn’t been an episode since. Please. This was one of my favorite series.

[@IbuprofenEater]

Who's still waiting for low poly link?

[@elipotter3007]

Me

[@meltednoodlez6551]

PLEASE DO A LOW POLY LINK NEXT PLEEEAAASE!!!!

[@marcoslopez_]

I love these Poly videos so much. Lol

[@JRENZO10]

I LOVE the Eggman statue in the Metal Sonic fight idk how to describe it aaaaaaa

[@captaininfinity8295]

Do the legend of zelda please

[@bubbaderp21cringeinitiatio6]

Next do link from Legend of Zelda

[@sourpapasmurf]

Oh, theres another, cool!!

[@nerples1149]

These models are perfection

[@deadturtleproduction]

I'm confused. I thought the Saturn rendered 3D polygons in quads, not tris. How is the Sonic R model made with tris?

[@ronindebeatrice]

deadturtleproduction I NEED AN ANSWER!

[@DDjivan]

Tris is better

[@deadturtleproduction]

I understand that they're better, but they're not what the Saturn used.

[@hyperbeam7498]

The saturn was built to render quads, but it wasn't impossible to render tris, so yeah I guess Sonic R used tris.

[@legendofphil]

To my knowledge the Saturn wasn't capable of rendering triangle polygons only quadrangle polys but you could get a triangular shaped polygons by manipulating the size of each side. A = 5 units, B = 4, C = 3 and D = 0 would give you a right angled triangular looking shape that has four sides, its just one of the sides doesn't have a length.

[@diegovos6692]

The legend of zelda plzzzzz

[@bitset3741]

Different meshes for the animation is called "Mesh Frames" and was used extensively in late 90's early 2k's in games like Quake and Unreal Tournament. The technique allows the complexity of fully skinned and boned models with even lower compute requirements than segmented with the only expense being higher memory to hold hold all the frames. Essentially, all of the calculations for bending arms, fingers heads etc. was all done in the 3d modelling software. Animation was then saved as a group of numbered mesh frames. When the game went to render the character it calculated the coordinates for the model and what frame was needed for the animation cycle and that was sent to the video card for rendering. Segmented or fully skinned and boned animation is enormously more capable, but mesh frames were usually used when there weren't enough CPU resources available, or when only simple walk/run cycles etc. were needed.

[@zackwithn3177]

This is cool

[@idanniv3264]

Can you do zelda next?

[@TheHuskyK9]

& Knuckles

[@hokusai17]

Its link

[@RazgrizXMG0079]

ZV ZV Pretty sure they meant the game series

[@hokusai17]

Mike Greenberger yea

[@triplelll2526]

3:22 Knock Knock!! Whos Ther- Knuckles: do you know da way Me: OK?... (backs up) Me: (Hits others knuckles) Me: Shit CLICKING INTESIFIES

[@SpecterReaper]

Kanox_YT SPIT ON HIM BRUDDARS!

[@triplelll2526]

BRUDDA I HAVE SPIT COME ON SPIT MORE

[@DrunkGeckoTV]

Sonic has finally made a comeback

[@firstaid223]

I'd love to see you do one of these on all of Tails' models, I'd love to see how they got them to work over the years :o

[@astrolink2000]

You should do low poly Link!

[@_oxcy]

Will there be a download for these?

[@mrgamerboy6138]

Nice! Vid!

[@cassi75474]

After 23 years, Andy finally released a new episode of Low Poly

[@metal_1398]

PLSSSSS DO SOMETHING WITH METAL SONIC!!!

[@mspeter97]

Should've compared Sonic's model with the Sonic Jam model, which had actually more details than the R model

[@teenageapple3788]

The Death Egg Robot model is actually used in a cutscene after a boss battle... I think it's used after the Metal Sonic battle

[@smokinglemon2666]

your thinking is right about that egg robot. i've looked at gameplay and looked at this video multiple times,and they are the same ESPECIALLY the red eyes,the glowing yellow dots near the eyes,the shoulder blades, and the collar.