I would like to see a Sonic hack that expands upon the Sonic 3 & Knuckles formula, a true Sonic 4. Every hack I see is Sonic 1 or 2 part whatever. What about Sonic 3? It brought so much to the table. While the shields are always used, what about mid bosses, cutscenes that show a story, songs per act that actually sound like they belong together. Why not have a hack that's like "What if Sonic Triple Trouble were on the Sega Genesis?" Use the level motifs as bases for the artwork and expand upon them (A Sonic Generations in reverse), make some really good Sonic like levels. And maybe since the bosses aren't against eggman, make Triple Trouble's bosses mid bosses and create some new Eggman (or Nack) fights.
Also, characters. Despite the fact that generally it's a no to put in new characters in the modern games, that's because they don't know how to utilize them. If you know how to use em though, they can't hurt. Optional side characters are a must. Beyond Tails and Knuckles though, how about Amy or Metal Sonic? And give them differences. Give them different speeds and different powers, Metal Sonic included.
While not directly related, I always had an idea with Metal Sonic, which is actually somewhat touched upon with Episode Metal, where Metal Sonic runs through Sonic's level in reverse order and from right to left. Metal Sonic would play slightly differently but he'd be about the same. Every so often you would face one of Sonic's friends or a boss of some sort (I was thinking Tails could have some mechs every couple stages and others you could fight Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Sonic etc.).
Also, original art. Original sprites, original hud, original everything. None of this "Hey Sonic 2 had some good sprites but lets throw in that Sonic CD falling sprite and the super peelout" No. I don't want to see a motobug fucking around in Robotnik Winter or something. I want some original badniks as well. If possible, I would want to see something that uses absolutely nothing from previous Sonic games art wise. That includes more modern games (How many times have we seen Sonic Rush font in the HUD? I know I was guilty of that back when I tried hacking)
All of these ideas are probably not feasible because they'd require a lot of effort and time that people probably don't have, but that's what I'd like to see.
Oh and as a separate note: Sonic Generations 2D. Bring back all 9 levels from Generations and make a modern Sonic and a classic Sonic but it's all in 2D. Only add other modern and classic characters and the ability to play through acts as both.
This post has been edited by Dark Sonic: 09 May 2012 - 06:31 PM