I was thinking about this a week ago, and it seems like since then, I've noticed a fair few references and videos about Sonic Heroes again. The PC version isn't the easiest to get (officially obviously) at this point. It's not on any digital services I'm aware of. What do you think about the idea of a Sonic Heroes Deluxe?
I thought up a few ideas to improve on it. They go from "probably doable" to increasingly resource-intensive (and less realistic for a fairly low-budget port).
- PC/XB1/PS4/Switch release. Rock-solid 60 FPS (ideally higher on PC), silly resolutions where available. Proper 16:9 support.
- Menu expanded to let you pick any stage, not just every odd stage.
- I think there was something missing from Theater mode, like you couldn't watch all the cutscenes? I can't find a good video unfortunately. Also throw in the pencil tests and early intro from Sonic Mega Collection Plus.
- "Charmy_Shutup" is now something you can toggle in the Settings (named something else), turning off most of the in-level chatter.
- Graphics touch-up. Primarily new character models, some improved animations (like Sonic's broken hand during his win pose), and some other incidental things like de-chunkifying the rings. Maybe throw the textures in one of those content-aware scalers popular lately, see what comes out? Can toggle back to old models.
- Camera adjustments. Like that stupid bit in Final Fortress where there's a massive fall onto a trio rail with nothing underneath, and right before you land, the camera moves and changes your relative input.
- Mechanics tweaks. This would require some extra testing. Make Knuckles less likely to go flying off of platforms when he attacks. Let Sonic use Rocket Accel even without characters behind him. If you want to go crazy, adjust their acceleration/deceleration so they're not quite so unwieldy. (But that could cause big issues, especially with scripted sequences.)
- Get rid of the Level system entirely? Keep characters at Level 3 permanently. Or at least let players retain their level after a death.
This is more of a "Maximum Effort" approach:
- Let Flight Formation walk normally? It's already in the game, when the other 2 characters are occupied. Maybe holding the attack button switches between walking and tower?
- Make some of the missions less obnoxious. Especially for the Chaotix. Hermit Crab radar?
- New cutscenes. Because someone with Source Filmmaker could do better.
- "Solo Mode", you can play through the levels as either any Speed character, or any character at all. Routes are adjusted so obstructions are gone, springs bridge otherwise impossible gaps, etc.
- A Neo Metal Sonic boss fight? He literally doesn't have an in-game model, since you only ever see his first form in prerendered cutscenes. This is a huge ask, but it would be a nice treat. Maybe as the final boss to Super Hard Mode, but preferably sooner so more people actually experience it. This could unlock...
- A playable Neo Metal Sonic, who switches between "Modes" for the three roles.
- A new English dub, with some script adjustments? Getting 14 characters recorded wouldn't be cheap. At the same time, "LOOK AT ALL THOSE EGGMAN'S ROBOTS!" Old dub still included.
This is just spitballing, and I know some of it would open up giant cans of worms. But considering we've probably got a decent wait until the next Sonic game, it might be worth it?