Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!

While the Sonic the Hedgehog movies are great, they haven’t delivered on one core element from the video games, and Sonic the Hedgehog 4 really needs to fix this. The first Sonic the Hedgehog was pretty far removed from its source material, with the presence of Sonic and Robotnik being the only video game elements in the film. As the series has progressed, however, the movies have gotten more faithful to the SEGA video games. However, there is one thing that they are missing, and Sonic the Hedgehog 4 could deliver on this wish.

After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set to be bigger than ever. The third film’s post-credits scene set up an army of Metal Sonics and the presence of Amy Rose, adding even more iconic video game characters to the live-action movies. The theorized presence of time travel adds all kinds of potential video game tie-ins, with some fans hoping that characters like Silver and Blaze pop up in the film. While this would be cool, there is still an incredibly basic Sonic the Hedgehog element that has to appear.

Sonic The Hedgehog’s Video Games Were Side-Scrolling Adventures Early On

Although Modern Games Have Strayed From This

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is gearing up to be inspired by the later games in the franchise, heavily pulling from entries like Sonic CD and the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog reboot game. While many fans now know the series for its 3D action, Sonic the Hedgehog started out as side-scrolling platforming adventures focused on speed. This platforming element defines some of the most critically acclaimed Sonic video games, while many of the later entries have been divisive or even critically panned.

Since the Sonic the Hedgehog movies are films rather than video games, it makes sense that they would pull from the more narrative-heavy entries. While the original games were great, they were light on narrative, juxtaposing with story-heavy entries like Sonic Forces, Sonic Unleashed, and others. The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have always included references and Easter eggs to the earlier entries, but the DNA of modern Sonic games has always been ever-present throughout the trilogy.

Sonic 4 Should Utilize Some Side-Scrolling Action To Honor The Games

Even If It Is Just An Easter Egg

So, in order to properly honor the original games, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 really needs to utilize some side-scrolling action. The fourth movie can easily use camera placement and perspective to make an action sequence look like the gameplay of the original video games, throwing a bone to the fans. After all, tons of action movies have hallway fight scenes that make them look like side-scrolling beat ’em ups, so it would be fun for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 to pull off a similar trick.

Another Video Game Movie Proved Sonic 4 Can Make Side-Scrolling Action Fun

Creating More Comparisons Between Mario & Sonic

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 actually could pull from another video game movie that proved it could do a side-scrolling action scene. The Super Mario Bros. Movie contains a scene in which Mario and Luigi are platforming through Brooklyn, hopping off objects in order to reach their goal. This sequence is clearly a homage to the side-scrolling nature of the original Super Mario video games, with it being one of the best Easter eggs in the movie.

It is shocking that the Sonic the Hedgehog movies haven’t done this after three entries, as it seems like an obvious way to pay respect to the source material. The live-action series could do something similar to the scene from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, although adding a lot more speed and style to reflect what makes Sonic different. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is the franchise’s next opportunity to do this, and I hope to see it in the upcoming sequel.