Growing up, I played Mario games on the Game Boy but when I was about 10 years old, I discovered a wonderful series of games. Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog was/is Mario's rival from the late 80's through the mid 90's. What Sonic had over Mario was speed. While Mario was the original platforming game in 8-bit paradise. Shortly after, Sonic made his debut on the Sega Genesis in all of his 16-bit glory. While Mario was still in 8 bit (mario 2 & mario 3), Sonic was running around in full color landscapes with glorious music to boot. I want to share my top ten favorite sonic levels (2d and 3d). Keep in mind, I've only played Sonic 1 to Sonic Adventure 2 (not Sonic CD though), in other words the GOOD sonic games (though I haven't played Generations yet). Let's get started!
10: Green Hill Zone
On the very few lists of top ten Sonic levels, Green Hill is always at number 1. You know what? It's not that great of a level! There I said it. It's simple but it makes for such a great stage because of it. What makes it stay on this list, is the freaking music! The music is so good, it's an absolute classic.
9: Chemical Plant Zone
Sonic 2 brought more levels that make Sonic, Sonic. Speed. The perfect example of speed, is Chemical Plant Zone. That level has a lot of loops and ramps and at some points you can actually almost outrun the screen! Granted, that's kind of a glitch but that's how fast Sonic moves in the level. Do I need to mention the music? The music is also a classic.
8: Hydrocity Zone
What?! A water level?! Here me out, if you get and keep the bubble, it's not so bad. Even if you don't, there are lots of shortcuts too. Oddly enough, I think this is the level that defined speed in Sonic 3 (second perhaps to Ice Cap). The above water parts of the level are like roller coasters. Sonic goes upside down, underwater, and all different directions. A level that definitely makes your head spin. The music is meh.
7: Pumpkin Hill
In general, I detest Knuckles' levels in Sonic Adventure 2. Pumpkin Hill is an exception, the level itself is frustrating oh yeah! I hate looking for emerald pieces. What this level has above all is atmosphere. Pumpkin Hill is a surreal, vast, empty landscape with giant mountains with pumpkin faces. Given the context of the game, how did Knuckles get from his starting point to there? How does he get in a mine afterwards? We may never know, Pumpkin Hill is a level that is surreal and creepy, and has one of those Knuckles raps!
6: Speed Highway
This is another level that takes a page out of the surreal book. Almost all of the levels in Sonic Adventure make sense. You go on the beach, you end up in Emerald Coast. Go up a mountain, you're on Red Mountain. Go in an ice cave, you're in Ice Cap. Speed Highway is out of place for that reason. You go in an office building and end up in...
A city at night with killer robots, upside down streets, and helicopters! What?! That's why I love this level! It has the most speed in Sonic Adventure, it's great to play through and it has a freaking rock song!
5: Marble Garden Zone
Sonic 3 brought longer levels, more speed, and the ability to play as Tails. Marble Garden Zone is on here mostly for the boss fight. The boss of Marble Garden Zone Act 2 is very creative (and challenging). Eggman appears in his robot that you've seen throughout the level (very similar to the one from Mystic Cave in Sonic 2) and drops down. You hit him a couple of times and something different happens. The floor's gone! If you're playing as Sonic, Tails swoops in and picks him up, making this an aerial battle. Eggman flies into the background, giving a hint to which direction he'll appear from and you can attack him. The level itself is also fun because it's very hilly, you can outrun the screen a couple of times but because of all the spikes and enemies, it isn't advised. I'm not terribly fond of the music, I think the music from Hill Top Zone would be more appropriate...
4: Flying Battery Zone
Sonic and Knuckles is such a great game. When I was younger I could never get past Flying Battery Zone. Why? It's hard! But it's soooo good! You're running around on (and in) a giant airship. There's loops, killer robots, and magnets! The music is catchy, and what else do you need from a Sonic level?
3: Twinkle Park
What can you say about Twinkle Park? It has damn near everything a 3D Sonic game should have. Speed? Check! Awesome background and environment? Check! Fun things to homing attack? Check! That's about it, it also has a cart racing part, and bowling! What else do you need? The music is jamming as well!
2: Final Rush
The hardest level in the game takes number 2??? Yes, I love Final Rush. Challenging? Yes. Frustrating? Yes? Aggravating? Good Arceus yes! Why do I love it? SHORTCUTS! Sonic games have always been linear, that's fine. Sometimes the linear path takes too damn long. That is the case in Final Rush. At the beginning, you can see another part of the grinding rail that you're on, you can actually jump and free fall all the way down there. There are a few other shortcuts like this in the level. I love Final Rush because I like to challenge myself to see how fast I can clear it. My personal record is 3:34.
1: Sky Rail
Did I say I loved Pumpkin Hill? I love Pumpkin Hill, but I hate Knuckles. Remove Knuckles, add Shadow, add epic music, add grinding rails, enemies, and epic speed! BAM! You have Sky Rail! Sadly, it's the shortest level in the game but you're Shadow running around the Pumpkin Hill area at ridiculous speeds. This level is short, sweet, and challenging, definitely my favorite. I cleared this level in 1:45.
Till Next Time
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