If you think this sounds ridiculous, then just look online for the arguments people have made for why they're glad the Chao Garden is gone and hope that it never comes back.
In my opinion, Sonic games have only ever had three good things throughout the entire franchise. The music, the chao garden, and Sonic Mania. One of those were only in two games before being removed, and another was made by a bunch of fans who had Sega's blessing. So in other words, despite having three good things, Sonic Team is currently only responsible for one.
Now here's hoping the Sonic Mania team, one day makes a Sonic Adventure 3 with a Chao Garden, decent controls, and a working game camera. In other words the first decent 3D Sonic game. They made the first decent 2D Sonic game, I'm sure they could make the first decent 3D one as well.
There are people that don't like the Chao Garden? But but... well poo to them. The Chao Garden is amazing. It's the only reason I go back and play Sonic Adventure 1 and or 2.
Honestly, I was sure when SA2 came out that some indie dev was going to make a Chao Garden clone that took out the whole 'Playing a Sonic Game' so we could focus on the Chao Garden part.
I've probably spent more time in the Chao Garden than playing the traditional Sonic gameplay in all of the Sonic games combined!
I love the Chao Garden and really miss it as well.
And I'm still disappointed that it wasn't in Sonic Heroes.
Can you just imagine what the Chao Garden would be like now if it was still in Sonic games.