Great Video Game Ideas Not Used 3

Well, now this is the third installment to my series of articles. This one will be a throwback to a prior article I wrote. Actually, a couple of articles that I wrote, and that was for ideas dealing with Sonic, as well as Mario & Sonic type games. If you would like to read either of those articles, you can find them here and here. I've really thought a lot about it, and I wish I could give them some input on what would make Sonic games better, and how to make a Mario & Sonic adventure game. This is my only medium to do so, and as I've said in my other articles apart of this particular series, please post this on any video game forum that you are apart of. Game fans should be the voice of the video game industry.

Firstly, I'm going to deal directly with Sonic games, and I will also include links to videos of fan made games that have some (if not all) of the proper components of what a Sonic game should be. Now, the little blue hedgehog has always been one of my favorite game mascots. Whether it be for his attitude, or deliberate over usage of speed, Sonic is always a fun character. Sega, I know you don't listen to outside interlopers often, but maybe these examples that I'm going to give, will be a good place to start and understand the type of game looks, and mechanics that Sonic fans love. The videos that I'm linking also are reviews of these fan games, reviewed by MegaGWolf on Youtube.

Example 1: This game is called Sonic Boom. Anyone who has played the US version of Sonic the Hedgehog CD, otherwise known as Sonic CD , will understand where the name came from. This game is well put together, though from what I've seen, a tad bit short. Sonic has lots of different moves, the animation is completely redone, the game looks beautiful. It also is maybe a bit more intended for mentally mature audiences, but the overall game itself, it unbelievable. I could sit here and tell you everything about the game, but I think MegaGWolf does a pretty good job of that by himself. Plus you'll love the end of the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED8R6M567_A

Example 2: The next game is called Sonic 2 Retro Remix . Just as it suggests, it a remake of Sonic 2. This game however includes a "Classic" and "Adventure" Mode. Classic mode as most would have guessed, plays the game pretty much just like the original Sonic 2 , only with new redesigned levels. Adventure mode plays very much like a few Nintendo 64 games that come to mind, Super Mario 64, Diddy Kong Racing, and Donkey Kong Country 64 . This is something that probably should have been done sooner with Sonic games. And having it in a 2D Sonic game is just beyond words on creativity. But don't just take my word for it, the review will definitely have you hooked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGfxQ164FCQ&feature=related

Example 3: Another great example is also a Sonic 2 remake, called Sonic 2 Heroes . As you would have guessed, it's Sonic 2 played allowing you to swap between Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails. The game actually uses the Sonic 3 sprites. The game is still not completed yet, but it's very good. From the looks so far, the game controls nicely, there aren't any problems with having all three characters on screen at the same time, and it's creative. The game Sonic Heroes , didn't get many good reviews, but I think that this fan game, once completed, will be very well received.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGwC-lgWTVI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Example 4: This is my last example, and is called Sonic 1 SAGE 2010 Edition . And as many of you may have thought, it's the original Sonic the Hedgehog game, not the bad Gameboy Advance remake, or the even more horrible Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) . Though this game isn't really a remake, but more of an enhancement. This game has offline, and online modes available for play, though the core game is exactly the same. There is also an online scoreboard, but the most unique feature of this game is quite simply that when you play it in online mode, the music from the original game is replaced. I won't tell you what songs the music is replaced with, that you'll have to find out for yourself. MegaGWolf reviewed it and shows all of the features of the game for offline mode. In case anyone is wondering what "SAGE" is, it's short for the "Sonic Amateur Game Expo". If memory serves me right, it's organized by Sonic Retro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00lJbQx2L1g&feature=channel_video_title

I know that this game wasn't a great Sonic title, but I would love to see a remake or sequel for Sonic R . One that includes many of the newer characters, and all of the ones that were actually in that game, just redesigned to meet the visual standards of today and take Amy out of the car. Also, it would be great if they added some levels too, to make the game longer and more fun. I'd say to also keep the songs that were already in the game, but also, give an alternative soundtrack so people don't have to constantly listen to the same tracks. And any character that has had a "Super Form" in any Sonic game should have an unlockable Super Form in the remake, not just Sonic. And online play would be a definite must. That would be if Sega would do it. I'm not talking about Sonic Riders or Sonic Drift , I want Sonic running to race people, not using cars, or a freaking board. The only way sonic should race anyone should be on foot.

Now that's I've given some examples of great ways to make a Sonic game, I'm going to dive into the ideas I've had for a Mario & Sonic adventure game. I came up with quite a few good ideas when I wrote "Mario & Sonic Games, What's Missing", but I have even a few more creative thoughts in mind. Just using some of the cliff notes from my last article about talks of a Mario & Sonic game, I mentioned some pretty decent ideas, though most of them were already used.

Gameplay as I said before, should be a mixture of styles from other Mario and Sonic games. I originally said elements from Super Mario 64 , Sonic Adventure , Knuckles Chaotix , and Super Mario Galaxy should be blended into the game. But now, I have one more game to add to that, as I thought it out, and that would be New Super Mario Bros. Wii . There is a really simple reason to that which will be explained below.

Mario 64 - Open world environment for 3D based search levels/missions, as well as over world for choosing different levels and completing tasks outside of levels.

Sonic Adventure - The crazy level design for 3D based speed levels/missions. This is something that would help make the flow of the game feel more natural to Sonic when it's his time to shine.

Knuckles Chaotix - The Tether System used in Knuckles Chaotix is a good way for Mario to be able to hold onto Sonic, and to be used to either stop him from a dangerous fall, or to be used for gathering energy before releasing and allowing sonic to blast off with a big burst of speed.

Super Mario Galaxy - The ability for additional players to drop in and out of the game at anytime. This would be great along with online play, though it's not likely to be something that Nintendo would spend a lot of time on.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii - The 4 player co-op as well as the 2D level design should be based off of this game, just with added features from Sonic's 2D video games like the loops, half pipes, curved walls and such. But also there should be harder to reach and hidden areas that players can't normally get to unless they are playing with other people. Plus being able to keep items that you finished the previous level with other than the Invincibility or Star.

Now as far as items, I do remember saying that items from both games should be used. Here is a list of items that I feel would definitely fit in this style of game from both of the character's series.

Invincibility and Star - They both protect the character from direct damage from enemies. Just swap them out depending on the stage layout. Though in most situations, the Invincibility should take preference, being that it is stationary.

Fire Flower - This is a great item for any of the characters to have. The effect is pretty easy to see what it wold do to Mario characters, but with sonic character's this would be a great power-up to work around and see what happens.

Ice Flower - Same reasoning as the Fire Flower, just an ice based attack instead of fire.

Speed Shoes - There really doesn't even need to be an explanation as to why this should be added. The affects are self explanatory.

Shield - The same as in the 1 ^st and 2 ^nd Sonic games, but instead of instantly being done away with after the first hit, it will last up to three hits.

Flame Shield - Now this would probably only have certain effects for certain characters, but for some of the Mario based characters like Mario himself, should have a flame wave ground pound, it would be interesting to combine this with the Fire or Ice Flower. Having this shield protects characters from fire, keeping them unharmed. It takes three hits to be lost, or to fall under water.

Water Shield - This would give Mario a water wave ground pound. Allows characters to breathe under water and gives protection against water/ice based attacks. Takes three hits or to be struck by an electric based attack to lose.

Lightning Shield - This would give Mario a lightning strike ground pound. Protects against electrical surfaces and lightning based attacks. Take three hits or to be attacked with fire to lose.

Super Leaf/Tanooki Suit - Now this item won't operate exactly the same for Mario and Sonic characters. Mario characters obtaining the Super Leaf will become the "Tanooki", while Sonic character's other than Tails, Cream and Rouge will become "Raccoon" and gain the ability to fly. Cream, Tails and Rouge get the ability to fly without exhaustion for an extended amount of time and end up wearing a headband with a leaf in the front of it.

Hammer - Very much similar to the Fire Flower, the Hammer allows Mario characters to become the Hammer Bro version of themselves, while Sonic characters get a gray and black color change, becoming able to throw Hammers, except Amy, she would retain her color and get a boomerang hammer attack.

Life Shroom/1-Up - Now both do the exact same thing again, but I'd probably pick the Life Shroom over the 1-Up capsule simply because it's more fun to catch it rather than just find it.

Rings & Coins - Now this is what would make the game interesting, having both rings and coins available to be collected, but for different purposes. Rings would not be a marker for protecting from damage, but rather collected and used in order for characters to perform certain special moves. Coins however, would retain their purpose from Mario games, being collected to gain extra lives. This wold make for great dynamic that doesn't destroy the idea of the game.

Now here are a few newer items that should be exclusive to the game.

Thunder Flower - Similar effects as Fire or Ice Flower, but character shots bolts of lightning rather than fire or ice.

Environment Shield - A shield containing properties of electricity, fire, and water. Protects from all elemental environments and attacks. Takes five hits to be lost.

Heart Box - As this is a combo Mario and Sonic idea, the Super Shroom has to be removed and the Rings have to be repurposed for a better method of taking and restoring damage. For this, a throwback to the old hearts from Super Mario 2. You start with 5 hearts, and can refill your damage by hitting heart boxes.

Heart Capsule - Heart capsules extend your hearts by 1. There would be only one heart Capsule per World/Zone which would be well hidden. Hearts missing would be refilled when obtained.

Now as for playable characters, this is who I would put in and why.

Mario - Well, obvious choice, title character, he can't be left out, it wouldn't make any sense. He's everyone's favorite plumber.

Sonic - Another obvious inclusion. His speed and fun attitude would only go to enhance the play of the game.

Luigi - Mario's bro. How could I leave Luigi out? He's pretty much exactly the same as Mario though, just taller, and his jump would mirror that of his Mario 2 form.

Shadow - Now, even though he can do pretty much everything that Sonic does, he does also have the ability to use "Chaos Control" without having a Chaos Emerald. Which that could be a very interesting gameplay mechanic if it was truly incorporated the right way. A short distance teleport would be great to get to areas that even Sonic couldn't touch.

Toad - Yep, Toad deserves some time to shine too. Though honestly, he would need to be given some extra abilities.

Tails - Now, if Tails is to be included, I'd give him all of the abilities he had from the first Sonic Adventure , and give him the Spin Dash. His ability to fly normally would be a great help seeing as there will be stages that certain items can't be found, like the Super Leaf. Plus Tails will be able to carrying whoever his partner is with him.

Wario - The mean version of Mario. With him having his own set of moves and being a bit stronger than Mario, Wario would be great to include.

Knuckles - It just wouldn't be right to not have Knux. He's the powerhouse of Sonic. Plus his ability to climb and scale walls would be infinitely valuable. He too would get the Spin Dash back.

Peach - The Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom would be a good addition. Though she's very much Mario with the ability to hover short distances instead of a ground pound, many female players would enjoy playing as her.

Amy - Sonic's overly obsessed friend. She's not as quick as Sonic, and since Sonic Advance 2, she has the traditional jump and spin dash as well as a massive hammer. Enough said.

Daisy - I'd figure Daisy would play pretty much exactly like Peach, just be an alternative to the pink dress.

Rouge the Bat - Now Rouge get the traditional Sonic jump and Spin Dash, but gliding would be swapped for flying. Her ability to climb walls would be switched with being able to cling to them and go a wall jump. She would however be a bit weaker to balance out all of the extra abilities she would have.

Toadette - Now this is where it would get interesting, I'd see Toadette as just a swap out for Toad, but we haven't really seen her in very many Mario games, definitely not in any of the platform adventure games.

Cream the Rabbit - Cream is one character that I think got over looked too much honestly. Though she has been appearing more and more, she still needs more attention in an action based game. She's incredibly fast, and can fly using her big ears. I'd see her used in place of Tails in certain situations.

Super Form - Each character has a super form which is obtained by getting all of the seven Chaos Emeralds.

Extra Form - Each character would also have an extra unlockable form that would be playable by gathering the seven Star Pieces after obtaining all of the Chaos Emeralds. This idea being a throwback to the Super Emeralds when Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are locked on to make the full game, but also incorporating something from Super Mario RPG. The name and moves of the extra forms would vary depending on the characters.

I still have yet to even get to the stage set up, or bosses, not even the game's premise. Well, I'll try to do that quickly. The main bosses would obviously be Bowser (King Koopa) and Robotnik (Eggman), but I'd also add in Scourge the Hedgehog from the Sonic Archie comics, as well as Wart from Super Mario Bros 2 (Super Mario USA in Japan). This would give some great opportunities for wild and fun boss fights.

You would only start the game with four playable characters, Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and Shadow. The others would have to be "rescued" from one of the four bosses. Sonic characters would be saved from Mario bosses and vice verse which would then unlock them for play.

Now, I haven't really added much too what I originally posted in but I'll include it all for argument's sake. Now the stage set ups would be as follows.

Example 1: Speed Type Stage: Sonic would run with Mario tied to his arm with a large elastic rope of some kind which keeps Mario from being lost in the dust. Mario can be used by Sonic to make attacks to enemies as well as slingshot Mario to different platforms that have hidden paths and items. Mario would also be able to hold his footing to give Sonic a burst of speed or to break and save Sonic from a fall. The goal would be met by making it to either a Goal Ring (Sonic) or a Flag Pole (Mario). Switching between the two would be only done at certain points in which Mario would be to be used to break an object or obstacle that blocks the path you're on.

Example 2: Search Type Stage: Mario would be the lead character generally in these stages as the play style would be more like that of Mario 64. You'd have to search these stages for particular items that are needed to move on, or to find and rescue one of Mario and Sonic's friends. A lot of time is spent in these stages looking around and acquiring items and weapons for later use. Sonic can also be switched to to make movement through the stage faster as well as use his wall climbing and speed to find items Mario can't get to on his own. The goal in these stages being the particular person or object that was being searched for at the start.

Example 3: Platformer Type Stage: These stages would be played in a 2D set up much like that of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, just with the added bonuses of Sonic elements added to them. These stages would also be great for hiding specific items like the Chaos Emeralds. Rather than having Special Stages, this type of stage would be the one you'd have to try to find an Emerald on. The game would already be loaded with content, so no need for special stages. These stages would end like the Speed Type, with a Goal Ring, or a Flag Pole.

Example 4: Boss Type Stage: This stage would vary depending on what or who the boss character is as well as what characters you are using. Eggman as always be able to come up with some extremely big contraptions to do away with Sonic, but somehow was never able to actually do away with him, and Bowser's underlings have always had it in for Mario, so this is where the game would make it's worth, and put players to the test, maybe an Egg Robot controlled by Kid Bowser or working with an army of Red and Green Koopa Troopas.

Now as for plot, I'm not going to get too detailed, this article in and of itself is long enough. There are very complicated ways to explain how King Koopa and Robotnik got in contact with each other and found a way to join their worlds. But quite simply the best thing to say is, Bowser wants Mario squished, and Eggman wants Sonic squished. So, teaming up with other nemesis of their common foes, they all set out to destroy them. This starts with the kidnapping of their friends, leaving behind only Mario, Sonic, Luigi and Shadow. This gives players the options to set up teams the way they feel like to play the game with one Mario and one Sonic character, but the most natural choices are Mario & Sonic, Luigi & Shadow. And through saving the other characters, you open up other play choices and different move sets that could get you to different places that the starting characters can't get to. This would give the game more playability, and more reasons for people to play the game over and over.

With all of this, add a fully playable online multi-player mode along with a two player campaign for playing off and online. The multi-player mode should be a race mode that all of the playable characters could compete in, just having a few different paths specific to certain characters. I'd say take a queue from Sonic Adventure 2 how Sonic and Shadow raced through a few of the levels from the main game against each other, allowing special attacks, and other objects for use to slow opponents down. Winning would depend on who makes it to the Goal Ring or Flag Pole first. And with their being 14 different character designated to be playable for this game, only 8 would be allowed to be in the match up, with would allow four different teams or 8 different players to race and battle for first place. Throw in a ranking system similar to Mario Kart Wii , and you've got near infinite playability.

I guess I've overdone my part as a fan however, I'm just far too opinionated. But, it would be a nice ice breaker for people to have with Nintendo working on another console. I hope that the codename Cafe gets changed. Maybe they should appropriately name it with the codename of the Wii, being the real Nintendo Revolution. If the companies will even entertain my idea, well, that remains to be seen, but I think I covered a lot of the things that fans are asking for. If only there were a way to get them to pay attention. Well, as always, I ask that you please, and I do mean please, post this article on whatever gaming related blog site you are apart of, official and unofficial, gamers deserve a voice, and we need to be better heard.

Another thing I would ask, please comment and throw in your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree with me, and a good explanation as to why. Anyway, thank you for reading, I'll try to get my next edition out asap.