List: Top 5 Favorite Sonic the Hedgehog Levels

The Blue Blur's Best Levels

  

       

        Today is the day that Sonic the Hedgehog turns 20 (Fun Fact: I also turn 20 later this year). Now, unlike The Legend of Zelda, Sonic hasn't really given us his best throughout his career, but as a huge Sonic fan who's been playing these games since he was 2 years old, I figured I should do something to commemorate this event. Since, I don't have any kind of income right now to throw a party, I figured I would make a list of my favorite levels from the entire series. Although this might just end up being levels from the early days, I'm going to say it's from the entire series. So, scroll down for my favorite Sonic levels.

5. Emerald Coast-Sonic Adventure

      

        When Sega released the Dreamcast back in '99, they decided to take Sonic into a whole new direction. Along with fully rendered 3D gameplay, Sonic Adventure also changed how things were done in terms of gameplay. Instead of platforming-focused levels with multiple paths, Sonic Team decided to focus on emphasizing Sonic's speed. For better or worse this has been the way they've done things since then and it has divided the fan-base, but for a moment this kind of thing was incredibly exciting. The graphics seemed so full of life and everything was going a mile a minute. The best part of the level showed an awesome set piece moment that involved Sonic escaping a rampaging orca whale. These moments were incredible even if they were brief.  

4. Green Hill Zone-Sonic the Hedgehog

        Who can deny the level that started it all? Sonic the Hedgehog's bright colors and wonderful attention to detail showed off the Genesis's "blast processing" back in 1991 with Green Hill Zone. It's Sonic's signature level just like Mario has World 1-1. This level showed everyone the potential for Sega's new console and gave that pudgy plumber a run for his money. It also introduced us to Dr. Robotnik and his disco/wrecking ball. The graphics were ahead of the game and the speed at which everything moved was beyond what anyone had seen before. This single level was the start of a fantastic era for a new mascot.

3. Hidden Palace Zone-Sonic and Knuckles

      
        A lot of people might find it strange to put Hidden Palace Zone on here, but I think it deserves in a different way than you would expect. I absolutely love the story in Sonic 3/Knuckles and they way that it told through subtle gameplay changes and visual effects. Hidden Palace Zone is one of my favorites because it is there entirely for the story. It is in this level that you battle Knuckles (a boss fight that isn't Dr. Robotnik for once) because he has been tricked by Robotnik into thinking that Sonic is out for the Master Emerald. Robotnik then makes off with the Master Emerald and Sonic and Knuckles go after him. The player also finds out about the prophesy made in the tapestry on the wall that shows Super Sonic battling Robotnik's giant walker robot. This level really impressed me in the way a story can be told in a video game without any kind of dialogue whatsoever.


2. Marble Garden Zone-Sonic the Hedgehog 3

      
        I could just put this one up here just for the awesome music alone, but there's more to this level than that. Although this has one of the best themes ever, it's also one of the most exciting. Sonic flies down steep hills and zip around on crazy flying tops while avoiding giant, spinning, spiked maces and spikes that try to impale him from the ceiling. To keep the player constantly on edge, Sonic also gets random visits from Robotnik who drills through the wall and from the ground. Robot eventually causes the entire level to start collapsing and forces Sonic to get out as fast as he can. This all leads up to one of the craziest fights in the whole series. Robotnik succeeds in destroying the entire level and Sonic has to fight Robotnik in the sky by being carried by Tails. This level really is a roller coaster ride.


1. Casino Night Zone-Sonic the Hedgehog 2

        Another candidate for best theme ever, Casino Night Zone is one unique level that takes out most of the "see-how-fast-you-can-get-through-the-level" approach an adds in crazy segments of pinball and slot machines (which they liked doing so much they made an entire game out of it called Sonic Spinball). If you're not careful and don't pay attention, you could use up all of the level's timer just bouncing around and trying to get the jackpot on the slots. The whole vibe of the level and slot machines and pinball areas are what set this level apart from the rest. Aside from Green Hill Zone, this is one of the most memorable levels.  Most Sonic fans will agree that this is one of the best levels made. 

        There you have it! These are my favorite levels from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Here's hoping for 20 more attitude fueled years of the awesome hedgehog.