I downloaded the demo for the new SSX game last night on my 360, and it suddenly hit me how after reading everyone's pining for more sloped environments, momentum-based physics, no bottomless pits, etc, that this is precisely what you guys have been asking for. Now, keep in mind I could be entirely wrong, but I feel that if Sonic Team's next idea for Sonic had him traversing environments ala SSX, that'd be pretty damn cool. More focus on maintaining momentum and picking up speed than doing tricks (Although they could still fit in a slightly less complex system ala Generations' trick system), and more whimsical environments than the realistic cities and landscapes we've seen as of recent, I think this would be a killer idea for a 3D Sonic game. In SSX there are multiple paths, grind rails, etc, all these fun environmental things that would not feel out of place in a Sonic game. Who agrees?
These were my exact thoughts upon playing that exact demo, when I pick up the game eventually I totally plan on using Ice Cap and Cool Edge music as custom soundtracks.
I had this idea years ago. But yes, I think Sonic games have a lot that could be learned not just from SSX, but many other extreme sports games, like Tony Hawk, etc. The way Sonic moves shares a lot of similarities, and that's probably where concepts like grinding came from. The problem is that grinding in Tony Hawk or SSX nets you points, and the entire goal of those games is to acquire points in order to place well. Sonic games don't really have that. But maybe they should! I dunno.
Very nice idea, I've thought about this as well. Out of curiosity, what would the name of this game be? Any ideas?