The remake features revamped controls, such as the ability to use the console's respective controller, as opposed the Wii Remote in the original version. As the game was nearing 13 years old by 2019, they consulted with the designers to rework the UI to mesh with "modern visual aesthetics". The remake also features new modes, such as a Time Attack Mode with online leaderboards, and the all-new "Decathlon Mode", which is a mode where the player "challenges themselves to beat 10 mini-games in a row".[24] Players are able to unlock new costumes for each of the returning characters, as well as Sonic the Hedgehog as a playable character, with all bananas replaced with rings.[25]
Unlike the original, instead of the 50 mini-games, it includes enhancements of the 10 most popular mini-games.[26] The game features a different soundtrack in most of the worlds, due to licensing issues.[27]