Highlights

  • The best Sonic levels are fast-paced, creative, well-designed, and unique, with bonus points if they have a good music track.
  • Asteroid Coaster in Sonic Colors is a thrilling level that evokes the feeling of being on a roller coaster, showcasing Sonic's trademark speed.
  • Green Hill Zone is a legendary and iconic Sonic level that has appeared in numerous games, bringing back nostalgia for fans with its beautiful scenery and memorable elements.

Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most recognizable characters in gaming. There have been many versions of Sonic throughout the years since Sega's iconic mascot has gone through plenty of changes. But what hasn't changed is what makes a good Sonic level.

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The best Sonic levels are the ones that allow you to take advantage of the blue hedgehog’s greatest asset: his blistering speed. Whether Sonic is racing through a city, a highway, or a casino, these are some of the best levels in any Sonic the Hedgehog game because they allow the speedster to truly shine.

Updated on October 30, 2023, by PJ Molloy: Sonic Superstars is finally out! The Blue Blur and his friends are speeding through brand-new, imaginative 2D levels reminiscent of the Sega Genesis era. Since Sonic Mania and Sonic Frontiers pulled heavily from retro stages, it’s a breath of fresh air to zoom through new Sonic levels.

If that wasn’t enough, the third Sonic movie will be speeding into theaters in 2024. Needless to say, it’s a great time to be a Sonic fan. With all the hype surrounding the series, now is the perfect time to look back on its history and revisit the best Sonic levels.

What qualifies a Sonic level as one of the best is if it's fast-paced, creative, well-designed, and unique. Bonus points if it has a good music track. These levels are ranked in no particular order.

14 Asteroid Coaster Is A Thrill Ride

The Coolest Idea For A Sonic Level

Sonic Colors - Sonic riding a rollercoaster in Asteroid Coaster

Debut

Sonic Colors

Appearances

Sonic Colors Ultimate

Sonic has ventured into Outer Space many times, but none compare to the exhilarating Sonic Colors zone Asteroid Coaster. This stage perfectly evokes the feeling of being on the scariest roller coaster in the world. The ride propels you past planets, asteroids, and volcanoes that explode green slime. Sonic must jump between roller coaster tracks if he hopes to survive.

If that wasn't enough, Asteroid Coaster has you running across rings of planets, homing attack meteors to cross large gaps, and platforming through antigravity segments. It's a heck of a ride from beginning to end and perfectly showcases the Blue Blur's trademark speed.

13 Speed Jungle Zone Is A Modern Classic

The Best Zone From Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars - Sonic grinds across a vine in Speed Jungle Zone

Debut

Sonic Superstars

Appearances

Sonic Superstars

Sonic Superstars introduces many creative, fast-paced zones, but Speed Jungle stands out as one of the best. This lush jungle is full of opportunities to build momentum, thanks to plants that launch you into the air and long vines you can grind across like railings.

There are even a few intense chase sequences with Fang the Sniper where you must run away from his merciless barrage of missiles and lasers. With plenty of high-speed segments and fun mechanics, it's no wonder why Speed Jungle is one of the best Sonic levels. And that's just a fraction of what Sonic Superstars has to offer.

12 Emerald Coast Is The Perfect First Stage

A Legendary Level From Sonic Adventure

Sonic Adventure - Sonic running away from a whale in Emerald Coast

Debut

Sonic Adventure

Appearances

Sonic Generations 3DS, Sonic Shuffle

If you're a Sonic fan, you've probably seen the segment where Sonic runs away from a whale. It's one of the most iconic moments in the series and highlights why Sonic Adventure is a must-play platformer. Emerald Coast is the first level in the game, ensuring Sonic's leap into the third dimension starts with a bang.

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Emerald Coast has several incredible high-speed segments as you zoom past sunny beaches and tropical forests. The stage rewards you for going fast by giving you access to shortcuts while gratifying people who want to explore by hiding secrets throughout the level. Emerald Coast is perfect for both play styles, making it an incredibly versatile stage that's a joy to replay.

11 Metal Harbor Provides Several Surprises

The Most Action-Packed Sonic Level

Sonic Adventure 2 - Sonic running down a road in Metal Harbor

Debut

Sonic Adventure 2

Appearances

Sonic Adventure 2 Battle

If you want an engaging Sonic level, buckle up when you get to Metal Harbor from Sonic Adventure 2. This iconic stage involves Sonic escaping from prison, and they are not letting him go without a fight.

Fighter Jets zoom through the air and pelt you with bombs, dozens of robots stand in your way, and your only hope for survival is to clutch onto a giant missile as it's preparing to launch. The level ends with a fast-paced snowboarding segment through a tunnel before Sonic finally gets his freedom. It's an incredible level with surprises around every corner.

10 Chemical Plant Zone Is One Of The Most Famous Genesis Levels

The Fastest Level In Sonic 2

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - Sonic running through Chemical Plant Zone

Debut

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Appearances

Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania, Sonic Frontiers, etc.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the best retro platformers, with Chemical Plant being the second level you blast through. This zone also appears in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces, but the Sonic 2 version is the best of the bunch.

There are many difficult obstacles and jumps you have to land perfectly in Chemical Plant Zone, but the high-speed tubes and DNA loops really stand out. The section of Act 2 where you must outrun rising pink chemicals to avoid drowning is sure to give anyone anxiety. Overall, it’s an excellent Sonic level.

9 Ice Cap Zone Has The Funkiest Music In The Series

The Best Music Track In Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Sonic 3 & Knuckles) - Sonic snowboarding in Ice Cap Zone

Debut

Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Appearances

Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Once you hear that amazing music and start snowboarding through Ice Cap Zone as Sonic, you know you’re in for a treat. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is arguably the best game of the original trilogy because it’s loaded with outstanding levels like this one.

Act 1 mainly takes place inside a cavern before taking you outdoors in Act 2. A lot of the useful objects, such as switches, springs, and monitors, are hidden inside ice blocks that you need to jump on to break open. There are also plenty of ice slides and spikes to speed you up or slow you down. If you enjoy snow levels, you’ll love Ice Cap Zone

8 City Escape Is An Iconic 3D Sonic Level

The Perfect Way To Start Sonic Adventure 2

Sonic Adventure 2 - Sonic soaring through the air on a skateboard in City Escape

Debut

Sonic Adventure 2

Appearances

Sonic Generations

The first stage of Sonic’s hero story in Sonic Adventure 2 is one of the best 3D Sonic levels ever. It begins with an epic snowboarding section despite no snow in the area. The real fun begins when you speed through the streets of Central City.

At the end of the level, Sonic faces the camera while running away from a G.U.N. truck. It’s quite difficult to avoid obstacles you can’t see, but it’s an awesome scene that sets the stage for the rest of the game. To top it all off, City Escape has one of the catchiest songs in the series. It's the perfect way to start this iconic game.

7 Speed Highway Never Fails To Get Your Heart Racing

An Adrenaline-Pumping Ride From Start To Finish

Sonic Adventure - Sonic running down the side of a building in Speed Highway

Debut

Sonic Adventure

Appearances

Sonic Generations

The original Sonic Adventure on Sega Dreamcast is the first fully 3D Sonic platform game. It received critical acclaim when it launched in 1998, and for good reason. The game was truly ahead of its time and featured some incredible levels, including Speed Highway.

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In Speed Highway, you start high above Station Square, jumping from rooftop to rooftop before running through the streets. Eventually, Sonic runs down the side of a skyscraper, the best moment in the level. The blue hedgehog sure loves speeding down the sides of buildings.

6 Casino Night Zone Is A Spectacle To Behold

The Best Sonic Level For Pinball Fans

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Sonic 2) - Sonic looking up at the sky in Casino Night Zone

Debut

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Appearances

Sonic Generations, Sonic Drift 2, Sonic The Fighters

Casino Night Zone is where you’ll likely get the highest score and the most rings in Sonic 2. If you’re feeling lucky, there’s no better Sonic level for you. Casino Night Zone is full of slot machines that can reward you with extra lives and hundreds of rings or punish you by making you take damage. There are also plenty of pinball machines that let you bounce Sonic around.

Casino Night Zone is pure eye candy with a big city in the background and vibrant colors everywhere you look. The neon lights and fancy elevators give the stage a unique ambiance that only a few other Sonic levels can match.

5 Hydrocity Zone Is A Shocking Good Water Level

The Best Underwater Sonic Level

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Sonic 3 & Knuckles) - Sonic running on water in Hydrocity Zone

Debut

Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Appearances

Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Sonic Mania

Hydrocity Zone is one of the best water levels in the Sonic the Hedgehog series because it gets everything right. The sections where Sonic is underwater move a little slowly, but there are plenty of water slides that allow the blue speedster to gain enough momentum to run on water.

That being said, this level is much more challenging with Sonic. It's a breeze with Tails, and you can quickly figure out why he’s one of the best Sonic the Hedgehog characters of all time. If you're going to drown, you can just fly to the surface as Tails. It’s as simple as that.

4 Rooftop Run Is A Blast To Speed Through

The Best Level From Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Unleashed - Sonic running through a loop in Rooftop Run

Debut

Sonic Unleashed

Appearances

Sonic Generations

Sonic Unleashed is one of the most underrated 3D Sonic games, and Rooftop Run is its best level. Going through Rooftop Run is similar to taking a tour of Western Europe. The apartments, shops, and cathedrals you run through look like buildings you’d see in Italy, France, and Spain.

During the Werehog segment, the stage is very unforgiving as you must use a bunch of horizontal poles to gain higher elevation. One slip up, and you fall down a bottomless pit, so don’t make any big mistakes at night.

3 Stardust Speedway Has An Intense Race Against Metal Sonic

One Of The Best Boss Fights In The Sonic Series

Sonic CD - Sonic running away from Metal Sonic in Stardust Speedway

Debut

Sonic CD

Appearances

Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania

Sonic CD is an overlooked game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series since it launched between Sonic 2 and 3 for the Sega CD, an add-on for the Sega Genesis. Despite the subpar soundtrack in the North American version, Sonic CD was a success, and its most iconic level is Stardust Speedway.

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Stardust Speedway is a unique Sonic level. It’s a highway made up of brass instruments that glow in many different colors. The race with Metal Sonic at the end of Act 3 is one of the best boss fights in any Sonic game since it's all about speed.

2 Studiopolis Zone Is A Treat For The Eyes

The Best-Looking Sonic Level

Sonic Mania - Sonic flying through the air in Studiopolis Zone

Debut

Sonic Mania

Appearances

Sonic Mania Plus

Sonic Mania is essentially a greatest hits album featuring all the best Sonic levels from across the series' history. That being said, Studiopolis Zone is one of four new zones introduced in the game, and it’s flawless.

Studiopolis Zone is set in a large city and is filled with film equipment and enemies that reflect the movie theme. The city is bursting with bright colors, neon lights, and pictures of Dr. Eggman everywhere you look. It’s a little unsettling, but the level does a perfect job of setting the mood.

1 Green Hill Zone Is A Legendary Sonic Level

The Best Sonic Level

Sonic Mania - Sonic and Tails standing in Green Hill Zone

Debut

Sonic The Hedgehog

Appearances

Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Mania, Sonic Frontiers, etc.

Of course, you can’t mention the best Sonic levels without bringing up Green Hill Zone, the first level in Sonic history. This level has appeared in so many Sonic games and even in titles outside the series, like Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

The beautiful blue sky, steep hills, green grass, palm trees, and the iconic speed loops with a monitor on top are the things nostalgia is made of. Green Hill Zone has it all, bringing back so many good memories for fans of the series.

NEXT: Sonic Superstars: Every Playable Character, Ranked