There's a small but important difference between "fan" and "mindless fanboy". The former likes the franchise for its good titles but doesn't hesitate to criticize what he doesn't like, while the latter simply loves everything with the name "Sonic" stamped on it. I don't know what this distinction between "real" and "unreal" fans is supposed to be. Next thing you know, people will start calling others "traitors" who "betrayed" the series and bullshit like that. I mean, these are videogames. If you like 'em, you like 'em. If not, why bother?