That is part of why people like sonic games i think. Replaying a level over and over again to get the fastest possible route to complete the level (usually the top path, which is also the hardest as it’s easy to fall down to the bottom). It should also be noted that the games don’t like the players holding right all the time and will punish the players if they didn’t react in time.

This is not simple platforming, the classic games are a little… different? Idk the word for it, but compare sonic and tbe other platformers like mario, it is extremely different, which is why not a lot of people “get” sonic. I’ve had some people looking over my shoulders when i play a sonic game and was told “i don’t get sonic” which, all things considered, is understandable.