Sonic the Hedgehog games follow a certain pattern, regardless of being in 2D or 3D. They all feature Sonic and pals entering zones, reaching the end and collecting rings along the way. It’s a tried and true formula that has served the franchise well since Sonic’s introduction on the Genesis in 1991. It seems that formula is no longer good enough if certain rumors turn out to be true.

Sonic fan site TSSZ spoke to a source close to SEGA that said the company is exploring a Sonic reboot. He’s quick to point out that a reboot isn’t in development right now, but that Sonic Team is only exploring the details of a possible reboot. The team does have an idea that they are currently favoring over all the rest though.

The source claims that the current reboot in talks has the basic premise of Sonic remaining the same. “Anything and everything else is under review” though which includes established Sonic canon like the supporting cast, including Tails. It would be a reboot as its meant to be – getting rid of everything and starting from scratch.

The most interesting part of the rumors comes from how the team would handle zones. In previous Sonic games, even in expansive games like Sonic Adventure, the zones were still very linear and had a set of objectives for the player to complete. In the supposed reboot, zones would become open world and non-linear; containing a mess of objectives for Sonic to complete within them.

The worst part of this reboot idea are the possible plans of monetization through collectible toys and items. The source uses the example of Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure where players buy physical toys to scan them into the game. Imagine if you will having to buy toys of Sonic’s friends to unlock them as playable characters in the game.

I don’t know about anybody else, but I thought Sonic Colors was the reboot Sonic needed. It returned the franchise to what it needed most – a focus on Sonic fighting Robotnik instead of world destroying fire demons and human princesses falling in love with anthropomorphized animals.

Regardless, this is all rumor and speculation for now. TSSZ’s source even clarifies multiple times that this is all just preliminary discussion at the moment. The earliest we’ll see any movement on a possible Sonic reboot will be be next year.

Even if these plans come to light and Sonic becomes a former shell of what he once was, we at least have Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 to take our minds off of it. It at least looks to keep Sonic doing what he does best.

Do you think Sonic needs a reboot? If so, is the right path to take? Let us know in the comments.