I think SEGA dropped the ball with fans. The game is more 'New Super Mario Bros' than it is Mega Man 9/10. I think most fans expected the revival to be like Mega Man 9?
I hate this sort of comments, with no offense George.
The problem is that you are comparing with Mario and MegaMan.
I say fuck Mario and MegaMan!
Sonic 4 needs it's own style.
Personally I think the New Mario Bros SUCKS. It plays NOTHING like the old one.
And MegaMan is just more of the same.
So if Sonic 4 has great gameplay alongside the awesome graphics it's showing, that's great.
Fuck Mario. I hate the douche.
EDIT:
And I don't understand how the "ball" will be "dropped" if the game is good.
Don't you think that it's a little soon to think of balls? 8-) ;P