So we all know that one of our gaming icons has had a bit of a difficult time of late.

Back in the 90's and the "16 bit age" sonic had it all. Created as not only a rival to Nintendo's Mario not just in sales but as a way to show just what type of game play could be possible in platformers. Cartoon style visuals, high speed adventures, and a character with real character (Mario didn't really start having any until smw and then it was slowly being drip fed to him).

But Sega and Sonics luck didn't last long some could argue the first steps in the wrong direction were making a buggy pinball game with him. Its true and you know it. But all games characters have this need to take part in non hero based events. Marios made it into an art form.

Anyway, over the years Sonics luck with good games has diminished. Many people seem to think its the high number of characters added with each game into the sonic canon , and others think that the number of different types of game play have effected his luck over the years. These things are close to being true but its more then just either of those things.

So where is this leading? I've come up with a list of ways Sega and us can save sonic the hedgehog.

SEGA:

Stop rushing out a new sonic game each year! They are buggy, fiddly and just plane wrong!

Don't force people to do something they don't want to. Now this might make a few people question my sanity but I liked both shadow (but only in sonic adventure 2) and big the cat. Shadow's story arc in sa2 was wonderful, and Sega actually finished a game with the first character death and his death was interesting at that. What was essentially a dark and confused character became a self sacrificing hero. I found his end then truly touching. His suddenly being alive, then suddenly being a robot, then in his own game not light balding (which was a bloody funky style on sa2) and instead driving a car and shooting guns ... Blooming GUNS! What were you thinking Sega you morons!!

Really ruined what could have been a good character. I would have liked to see a story chronicling his fall back to earth, how he survived and more game play based around how he moved on sonic adventure 2. And no more obsessing over "chaos control".

As for big the cat, I just thought he was a bit of fun. But Sega when you get sonic in the title, sonic is who you come to play as. Not cats, foxes (in walking planes!!!!!) and especially not warehogs!! Yes Have all the characters in there, make them playable even. But don't force them on people. Give people the choice to play as them separately from Sonics story. You managed to do it for adventure 1 and it worked really well.

Take Tails and trash his bloody robo plane. He used to be as fast, if not faster then sonic in sonic the hedgehog 2. Give us the chance to play as that tails again. I understand the need to making him different to sonic, as with all the other characters, but not stupidly so. Although if I do play as Eggman again, I don't mind him in the egg walker. That made sense and actually, in most of SA2 levels, worked quite well.

Make sonic about sonic. Don't rush the game, don't shove in some stupid ideas or gimmicks, and give us back that speed and fun. The closest we've got of late to sonic being sonic again was unleashed. And then you were forced into playing as the warehog or to die over and over and over again in levels so overly hard that they made you claw your own eyes out. Sonic 1 through and knuckles are challenging yes, but they are not filled with constant amounts of instant death. Sonic needs lost of pretty, fun and fast levels not a few deadly ones. Children should feel comfortable with playing to the end without being broken down into tears..

Get rid of some of the "tude" Sonic should be cheeky but likeable. Not smug and an arse. It's telling that the best and most likeable sonic i've seen of late has been created for a Nintendo game (smash bros)

My suggestion for the future.

What needs to be done, I think, is a TOTAL sonic universe reboot.

Make 1 game telling the story from sonic 1 through 2, 3, and knuckles, adventure 1 and 2, advance, heroes, and rush. Unleashed didn't happen. This could be one long story or a load of smaller chapters for each game.

Tell this long story from Sonics side, making sonic playable from beginning to end. And only sonic. Yes add the other characters, even making it possible to play as them. But make them unlock able extras like in adventure and make them fun, different and most importantly for the player to choose.

Give sonic speed, and make each level possible for anyone to get through, but not a trial to have to. Don't make people pay a ton of cash at the door and then smash them over and over the head with a brick. They will just walk.

Make shadow either. Just that character from adventure 2 and explain him in a simpler and less cooky way or leave him dead at the end of the adventure story arc. Yes make him cool but don't try so hard. ("he's cool you know, see! SEEE! Look at him, he rides a bike!!! Cool people do that right!! RIGHT!!)

Now Sega, this is your last chance. Either you make a good sonic again Or ill do it for you. Ok?!

Good.