I'd like to bring a few things to your attention.
1 - It runs like a Mario game because it was initially a Mario game. I'm a student in a game design class, and this was me learning how to make a very basic platformer. The lesson I was given included a downloadable game file that was basically an incomplete version of Mario. I was allowed to alter the art style and things like that however I wanted, and chose to make it more Sonic-like.
2 - The intent for rings to have a purpose (you don't die as long as you have at least one) was very much there, and they would have a purpose if there wasn't a difficulty with coding. I don't know everything, and my teachers are extremely good at what they do, but not every single problem with every single game gets solved overnight.
3 - Power ups aren't going anywhere. I do want to change the sound effect, but I think it's a fun twist. Also, the original Sonic game for the Genesis had high speed shoes as a power up.
4 - Again, this is a very basic platformer game, and the original Sonic games had huge layouts that were way too big and complex. I am still learning.
I appreciate your criticism, but like I said in the description, I'm currently focusing on other projects, though I'd like to come back and revisit the game sometime soon.