Mad skillz at photopaint. Maybe you could change Sonic by joining sega as a designer.

Sonic was so successful at the time because he was the cool kid, the edgy and mature character that was pretty much the antitesis of Mario. Now he's obsolete, he has been replaced by Marcus Phoenix, Nathan Drake, Master Chief, Kratos, and others. Sonic is now only pleasing a loyal fanbase that doesn't acept the idea that he won't be the biggest thing ever. Maybe generations will be a good game, it will never be at the same levels of todays monsters,

What is wrong with the newer looking Sonic?

Nothing, but the fanbase (wich is probably the worst fanbase) sees the new Sonic as an insult for all the tradition and history of the character or something.

I actually think you're right, recommending what they should have done with Sonic 4: full-scale retail release. It was immediately more obscure than it could have been, especially in our post NSMBWii world. Hell, even DKCR levels would be ecstatic for Sonic at this point, and they could swing that with Sonic Colors (2D Mode only) style combined with DKCR/NSMBWii level scale, even on the slightly more adverse environment of the PS3/360

@alfredo  I cant speak for the rest of the fanbase but as a Sonic fan i only care about getting a good Sonic game to play, dont care how much it sells and anyone who has a shred of common sense knows that Sonic will never be as big as he once was.

@Mr. Khan i think you vastly overestimate the appeal of 2d platformers. IMHO a Sonic game like the one you described will not come anywhere near the DKC & NSMB games. Those games sell because of the Mario names. A Sonic game would do 1 and a half mil tops

Sonic is always boss, but old Sonic is bossier than new Sonic.

Then explain the discrepancy between Galaxy 1-2s and NSMBWii's sales. There's a demand for good, solidly built 2d platformers

Agreed, sonic is old news, but as a counter argument look at mario or Zelda(both old school games) have quite the fan base.