Since he first debuted on the Sega Genesis in 1991,Sonichas become one of the greatest, most belovedfranchises in video game history. The Blue Blur has raced through some of the most iconic and memorable 2D stages of all time. Sonic’s two-dimensional fun yet challenging gameplay and physics were enough for the hedgehog to compete competitively with the likes ofMarioall throughout the 90s.
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With stages ranging from Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and Stardust Speedway, these zones have since seen many recurring appearances in Sonic games over the span of three decades. With so many zones under this blue hedgehog’s shoes, we’re gonna go fast and list his most iconic and enjoyable ones.
10Green Hill Zone
Starting off our list in this ranking is the all-too-familiar Green Hill Zone. Being the very first level introduced in the Sonic games, Green Hill has since appeared in numerous other Sonic titles in both 2D and 3D.
The stage of Green Hill is pretty much what the name implies. It contains many steep hills, platforms, palm trees, and the more famous loop-de-loops. This level demonstrated what players were in for when the Blue Blur made his debut, showcasing his fast speed in combination with the game’s platforming and physics. Because Green Hill remains such an iconic level in the Sonic franchise, it should come as no one’s surprise that it has made its way onto our list.
9Chemical Plant Zone
First appearing as the second zone inSonic the Hedgehog 2, Chemical Plant Zone transitions onto our list at number nine. Another iconic level beloved by many Sonic fans, Chemical Plant introduces the Dash Panels, which would eventually serve as the boost mechanism in later installments.
The layout of Chemical Plant incorporates many flat loops that make it easy to pick up speed and momentum to the point that you can have Sonic and Tails run so fast that they can outrun the screen. The level also contains many pits that require quick reflexes on jumping, and if you fail to time your jumps properly, the blue hedgehog will quickly meet his doom, plummeting into the endless depths of the chemical waters.
8Mushroom Hill Zone
Acting as the first stage in Sonic & Knuckles (the seventh stage if you played Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles), Mushroom Hill Zone lands in at number eight. This level is one of the earliest stages within the Sonic franchise that offer plentiful alternate pathways to reach the Act bosses and Goal Sign, thus, securing a place on our list.
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As the name suggests, Mushroom Hill contains a forest full of fungi, many of which act as springs, enabling you to reach the heights of hard-to-reach areas and secrets. Another unique thing about this particular stage is that it possesses around nine or so bonus ring levels. If you’re clever enough to find them all, you can potentially obtain all seven Chaos Emeralds (Super Emeralds in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles) in both Acts.
7Casino Night Zone
At number seven is the nightlife level of Casino Night Zone, serving as the fourth stage in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the first and best casino level in the overall franchise. The entire zone is one big pinball-like stage containing many flippers, bumpers, and springs, which more than likely frustrated some players on their first attempt through the level — especially when it came to the tricky Egg Claw.
What makes Casino Night stand out even more as a stage is its implementation of the suspended slot machines that can award you many rings (scoring you many lives) if you’re fortunate. Conversely, you can lose all your rings if you are unfortunate.
6Flying Battery Zone
Flying at number six is the giant airship of Flying Battery Zone. Another stage from Sonic & Knuckles, this level has gone on to reappear in the highly successfulSonic Mania. Flying Battery is one of the many difficult zones in the 2D Sonic games that gave quite a few players game-overs since you have to avoid a plethora of smashing traps and Badniks, all while trying to cautiously avoid falling to your demise.
Sonic Mania cranks up the difficulty of this stage by making it twice as lengthy as the original, making it easier to succumb to the ten-minute time limit many players suffered through. Though its tough challenge impedes it from scoring higher on our list, Flying Battery remains an extremely enjoyable and adrenaline-rushing level many old and new Sonic fans have come to appreciate and enjoy over the years.
5Hydrocity Zone
Rushing in at the halfway point is the Hydrocity Zone, the second stage from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles. Another level known for its high speed, which is what 2D Sonic games are all about, Hydrocity incorporates a mixture of high land sections and underground water areas.
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While water levels are notorious for being the bane of many players' existence in the Sonic franchise, Hydrocity is surprisingly very entertaining with its simplistic underwater navigation and numerous speed tubes that twist and turn throughout the zone. Suppose you’ve been clever enough to win all the bonus stages from Angel Island thus far — in that case, the four bonus stages in Hydrocity will easily net you the remaining Chaos Emeralds needed to transform into Super Sonic, Super Tails, or Super Knuckles.
4IceCap Zone
Sliding its way at number four is the chilly IceCap Zone. The fact that this stage has you starting by snowboarding down a snowy slope alone is enough to rank this stage pretty high on our list. Though the snowboarding segment doesn’t last that long, the rest of the level’s sections are just as enjoyable. The second half of the zone’s clever puzzle layout contains trampolines and freeze gimmicks in which many of the springs, item monitors, and switches are frozen solid and must be cracked open.
Another thing the IceCap is renowned for among fans is its memorable stage track — 250 copies of the soundtrack have been released on vinyl. The fact that the music track itself has been replaced inSonic Originshas left many players with a pinch of disappointment, to say the least.
3Stardust Speedway
Racing at number three is Stardust Speedway, arguably one of the best stages from Sonic CD. The level is known to be the largest and longest zone in the entire game because it is a stage that will see you speeding at such high levels that you’d likely clear it in seconds. Like many levels in Sonic CD, Stardust Speedway has four distinct designs depending on which time period you travel to (the past, present, and future).
This ranges from the level looking like an enormous city highway from the present, an ancient city entangled in vines and flowers in the past, to one of two possible futures with the city highway either destroyed or intact. Where this level truly scores points on our list, though, is the memorable boss race with Metal Sonic. In the final Act of the Stardust Speedway — set in either the good future or bad future — you race the evil robot look-alike across spiked floors and loops in the hopes of reaching the finish line alive.
2Press Garden Zone
The popular Press Garden Zone from the highly praised Sonic Mania finishes high in second. Acting as the fifth zone in Mania Mode and the sixth zone in Encore Mode, Press Garden remains one of the more popular 2D stages among fans of the franchise. If bouncing the blue blur high into the air and across the screen is your thing, then this level will have you jumping and propelling Sonic to all kinds of heights using the zone’s rotation tubes and conveyor belts.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the stage itself uses enemies and objects as Easter eggs taken from previous levels from past Sonic games. Examples include the snowblower taken from IceCap Zone, arrow columns taken from Aquatic Ruin Zone, the spin platforms from Sky Sanctuary Zone, and much more. These past references to other Sonic games make Press Garden feel like one giant trip down memory lane, earning its place at number two.
1Mirage Saloon Zone
Reigning at the top of our list is the dry desert stage of Mirage Saloon, arguably the best original level in Sonic Mania. In Act 1 of this stage, you maneuver Sonic and Tails on the Tornado bi-plane, dodging many Badniks as they attempt to take you down. In Act 2, you have to control the duo by utilizing giant revolver guns, bouncing piano keys, and seltzer bottles to create bridging pathways. With Knuckles, the level features underground caves and seesaw gimmicks combined with having you utilize the red echidna’s climbing and gliding abilities to progress to the end.
The style of the level combines a western desert environment mixed with recurring pinball mechanics, adding some originality to the design while retaining its traditional 2D stage gimmicks. The zone features some of the most Easter eggs and references taken from not just 2D Sonic stages but 3D ones as well, such as the Nack the Weasel sniper picture reminiscent of the wanted poster from Sonic Generations.
