> On a more serious note, do we really want a completely mainstream Sega? I shudder at the mere thought of it. Sega cloning games born from the latest trends is not the answer to its problems. Sega should in fact strive to bridge the gap between hardcore and casual tastes especially now that only the richest of publishers can afford the luxury of being creative. With that in mind,  Shadow The Hedgehog for the current gen's three leading consoles is Sega's latest attempt at bridging that widening gap by giving us a game with a darker look and feel to it containing the kind of senseless shooting mayhem many people crave so hungrily starring a morally ambiguous character many Sonic fans felt deserved his own game (the anti-hero hedgehog). It's good to see Sega aiming to branch out with this popular intellectual property, but at the same time, not abandon Sonic's roots (Sonic's main appeal has always been rooted in speed). Both Shadow The Hedgehog and Sonic 360 should give everyone what they want. After Sonic Heroes sold far in excess of a million copies world-wide on almost nothing but brand recognition alone, only a fool would doubt Sonic's popularity. The franchise's total sales rivals that of Final Fantasy and Myst, which is no small feat.