I remember asking a question on Quora a few years ago, so let me ask it here: Would the Sonic games still have the same story if Sally Acorn, Bunnie Rabbot, Rotor Walrus, Antoine D'Coolette, Snively, Saffron the Bee, and Julie-Su were in the games?
Side note: I also think Heavy and Bomb should be in more of the games that Team Chaotix appears in.