>>718202193
the real answer:
mania didn't sell as well as terminally online people tell you when they pretend it's the only success in the last 20 years
it sold "fine", a little less than superstars (at a third of the price so way less returns)
kids especially didn't care because they don't give a shit about pixel art games
making a game with that strange saturn 32bit look is an even harder sell, because at least low-res pixel art has "retro" appeal for normies, this shit is only appealing to a few enthusiasts (as evidenced by penny's floppy cock)
nobody except for the most dedicated of autists would have bought this, it would have flopped HARD
sega naturally took the wise (if soulless) option of just going for a typical modern-looking 3D look
it's that simple, no big conspiracy