Music: Tee Lopes '12 remixes: ruclips.net/video/eDY0kZhJ0Wg/видео.html Sonic 2 HD OST Tee Lopes: ruclips.net/video/VRjHM8wiTbg/видео.html Sonic 2 HD OST Toni Leys: ruclips.net/p/PLs32wOK-XZhZpLZrWNnxFiRPy3mdc3Ann Metropolis Zone by Tweaker: ruclips.net/video/wpnc44Sd96g/видео.html Sky Chase by Dr Reverbnik: ruclips.net/video/w_kDN0JaJUc/видео.html Wing Fortress by Blake Robinson: ruclips.net/video/nNPIStzy7Zo/видео.html Project Chaos Album (used for S3K stages): ocremix.org/album/9/sonic-3-and-knuckles-project-chaos
You know what my problem is with every Sonic game's soundtrack? Super Sonic has his own theme that cuts over the level theme. I really realized this during my playthrough of Mania. After the level I unlocked him in, I usually tend to avoid using it for anything but boss fights.
You're absolutely right. There should really be an option to turn off super music, like I'm sure there is in the fan-made versions. The stage themes are a huge part of the experience of the games; being forced to listen to the same short invincibility jingle on a loop almost feels like punishment for using super forms. It doesn't help that the super theme in Origins is terrible, either.
What I hated most is that he was automatic in Sonic 2 & in 3&K without a shield, [original versions] I believe some fan made games even gave you the option to actually turn him back into regular Sonic without it happening automatically when you ran out of rings
My mind is blown that Quartz Quadrant is so low! That’s an easy top 5 for me. The appeal is the INSANE amount of routing options and how many awesome ways there are to utilise the level gimmicks to get to the past. The robot generators are the most elegantly implemented of any in CD and the theming throughout all the time zones is some of the most rich and detailed in all of Classic Sonic. And the music, gamers, THE MUSIC 🔥🔥🔥 One thing I loved about this video was the 5 seconds we had to guess which zone was coming up based on the soundtrack covers. Very cleverly done lol.
I know! I feel like all of the Sonic CD levels were a bit low. It took the creativity from Sonic 1 and dialed it up to 11. The rich backgrounds ooze vibrance and beauty from every pixel. The music (at least from JP, but I like the US tracks too) hit so many emotions and brings the vibrancy of the colors directly into your ears. That’s why it’s my favorite game in the entire franchise.
Quartz quadrant fan here! I think the music is amazing, the level looks beautiful and even if the gimmicks aren't that interesting I find it cool how when you get good the level becomes one big, extremely fun obstacle course you can beat in under a minute (counting both acts)
Quartz Quadrant is one of my favorite Sonic Stages for the reasons you describe. Also the past and future music is really good and the stages are fun to explore because they're multiple environments.
Who here knew that when Sonic 3 & Knuckles was originally designed to be 1 game that Flying Battery was originally going to be between Carnival Night & Icecap for the night back to day transition, & the door and the of Flying Battery was originally intended to be used as the snowboard at the beginning of Icecap
Would you believe Marble Zone is my favorite level in Sonic 1? The great aestetic, catchy music, And challenging platforming really make it stand out for me. I tend to like the plarforming and exploration aspect of Sonic games rather than the speed, so that probably explains it. Great video, btw! Always a joy to see what other people enjoy out of these amazing collection of zones!
Marble also has speed. Very underrated speed. There are sections where you are forced to ride slow moving blocks, but there are probably more sections where you can speed through platforming segments. It’s really good. And of course it has secrets and shortcuts. Multiple paths. It really is a solid Sonic level
I agree, Marble Zone is underrated. There’s so much creativity, and I feel that it’s one of more well done puzzle stages in all of Sonic. It also has a calm yet slightly eerie atmosphere that I love so much. In my opinion it’s one of the stand out stages in Sonic 1, because of how different it is from everything else.
Fun Fact: Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon are likely to be located on West Side Island, alongside the other Sonic 2 zones. This is because in Chemical Plant you take a pipe which transports you to Studiopolis which means it must be on the same island - and Mirage Saloon is shown to be directly next door to Oil Ocean which confirms it too is located on the same island. This is backed up by Mirage Saloon being heavily inspired by a scrapped Sonic 2 zone, Sand Shower/Dust Hill Zone
Titanic Monarch is also implied to be on Little Planet, considering it’s located right outside of Metallic Madness Zone at the end of MMZ act 2. Plus there’s the unused R9/Final Fever zone from Sonic CD, which I believe was the inspiration for the level.
My favorite classic stage (stage in general) is Lava Reef. It’s a great final challenge that preps you for your fight with Knuckles. It also houses the hidden palace and master emerald.
Sky Chase is like. worse than a Mario 3 autoscroller because if you stim too hard (spindash, run around) while waiting, you can actually outpace the plane and fall off. At least in a regular autoscroller level it feels more like it's your fault when you die from fucking around
Condensed version of my Zones list so it’s easier to read: D Tier- 36. Sky Chase 35. Wacky Workbench 34. Scrap Brain 33. Metropolis C Tier- 32. Sandopolis 31. Labyrinth 30. Metallic Madness 29. Wing Fortress B Tier- 28. Marble 27. Marble Garden 26. Tidal Tempest 25. Spring Yard 24. Hill Top 23. Carnival Night 22. Collision Chaos 21. Casino Night A Tier- 20. Death Egg 19. Lava Reef 18. Aquatic Ruin 17. Hidden Palace 16. Ice Cap 15. Quartz Quadrant 14. Palmtree Panic 13. Oil Ocean 12. Launch Base 11. Emerald Hill 10. Mushroom Hill S Tier- 09. Starlight 08. Flying Battery 07. Stardust Speedway 06. Sky Sanctuary 05. Angel Island 04. Green Hill 03. Mystic Cave 02. Chemical Plant 01. Hydrocity
I only realized a few months ago that the huge "ramp" at the start of Palmtree Panic is actually a massive loop with a ramp on the other side only seen from behind Sonic, because the level flips upside-down momentarily.
In my opinion, I think labyrinth zone’s cheap traps kind of fit with the theme of it being an ancient ruin and in my brain I think that the traps were installed by whatever ancient civilization built labyrinth created those traps to Deter away any intruders.
It is good world building 100%, makes it feel like it has/once had a purpose other than just being a video game level. Doesn't mean it isn't the worst part of the game tho
Used to hate the level as a kid because I would panic too much about sonic drowning. Now I really look forward to playing the level it’s challenging and great atmosphere.
33:47 Press Gardens act 2 is the only zone in Mania where I actually got Softlocked while trying to reach an area with tails that I thought was reachable. I had to run the timer out and if I hadn't turned the time over time off after this stage, I might have genuinely been softlocked and had to restart, which would have sucked.
Don’t worry I also love Metropolis zone. I really don’t hate any Sonic 2 zones. Also I got kinda sad too bec Marble Zone is my favorite zone from Sonic 1.
I don't think that it should be the last place, but you're literally insane. The only redeeming quality it has is an ABSOLUTELY GREAT music. I would still place it in bottom 10
Where would you place Doomsday Zone on this list? It's just as much a level as Sky Chase, except you can actually speed up the side scrolling a little bit with your air dash. It's also more than just a boss fight as you actually have a bit of traversal, even if it is a bunch of rocks as obstacles and some life-saving rings.
I understand not including the Zones that are more or less boss oriented(although I'd probably include them anyway for the sake of completion), but why didn't you include the remixed Mania zones? IMO, they're different enough to separate them from their original counterparts.
Loving all the ranking videos yoube been doing lately and the longer analysis videos on sonic things. Your content is on a whole nother level this past year. And i liked your content before but the more in depth analysis is always my jam espcially when ranking videos are long bc you go over each zone and give analysis about it. Love it. Keep up the good work my dude. Naturally i disagree with a lot. I like Metropolis. A little cheap sure but i like the challenge of it when its not being cheap. Also Labyrnith i quite like too. It takes a lot of runs to aprpeciate it but there is always a shortcut to get through each act in about 2 mins or so and i love the music for both Metropolis and Labyrnith. Also to answer your question Quartz Quadrant is my fav Sonic CD zone. Im a weird sonic fan. Also Hilltop is my fav Sonic 2 level lol. Love being up in the mountains and all that and the level design is really good. But for most of your bottom 10 i agree. Mostly just disagreeing on where we would place the good zones we both like. Finally someone agreeing Marble is the worst Sonic 1 level. Also Starlight is my fav Sonic 1 level by a wide margain #28?! Harsh man lol. So 3 of my fav levels are in your bottom 12 lol. Which is fine its interesting seeing different rankings and stuff. We disagree on a lot lol but ultimately basically like the same levels as i feel everything ranked 29 or higher are all solid to very good zones. Basically my favorite zones from each game. Sonic 1 - Starlight. Sonic 2 - Hilltop Sonic 3 - Marble Garden S&K - Mushroom Hill Sonic CD - Quartz Quadrant Mania - Press Garden
I'm sorry to disagree with you but I still believe Labyrinth Zone is worse than Marble Zone, mainly because of it's design in comparison, the constant traps and near drowning experiences, you might think Marble Zone is boring but I'd rather take boring anytime of the day than frustration
I've got love for Sky Chase Zone. It's massively story building/telling & a great break before the final showdown. It's also unique in its play style which is always welcome in classic Sonic. (P.S. - Hard agree they should have used the intended track for HPZ. No matter what anybody says, it suits it so much more, for so many reasons.) (And yes, I'm aware the creators apparently intended it to be multi-player Cave Zone but, the fact "track 10" is used in what was left of the cut level in the original games? That proves what they were really going to use in the final cut & rightly so).
Since Hydrocity is a part of Sonic 3 we have the bubble shield so we don't have to worry about running out of breath. Is the final stage where you have to be Super Sonic still the Death Egg zone? It has been so long since I played it that I don't recall. My favorite stage is Lava Reef.
For me the most annoying part of Marble Zone isn't the lava, it's the spikes. Especially the spike trap that falls from the ceiling and you have to wait for it to fall to use it as elevator.
Flying Battery is kind of half Like Metropolis on the inside and Wing Fortress on the outside. Flying Battery Zone act 2 in Sonic Mania however was the first time the Flying Battery ever flown through a thunderstorm.
Metropolis isn't that bad. Just get good. It certainly has its problems, but there are some fun gimmicks, and it's the only level in Sonic 2 with legitimately challenging platforming. After playing so many easy, linear levels, I welcome the added challenge.
It's not really about skill, it's just bad enemy and lava placement. Also running up those annoying screws is really annoying. Scrap Brain is way worse though.
I kinda agree. When I first played through the levels I only died once or twice (one was because I didn’t know there would be a moving platform right before the boss and ran off the edge). Was it semi annoying with the enemy placement, a little, but I feel that it made me manage my speed a bit more. As long as you’re not blazing through then the level ain’t that bad.
I’m a Sonic CD fan, so I guess that I’m a bit biased, but I love the beauty of Quartz Quadrant and Stardust Speedway. Also, I feel Green Hill is way too high on the list. Green Hill has annoying instant death pits in cheap areas, or that just look like spikes. People constantly forget that the spin dash didn’t even exist in Sonic 1, which in my opinion turns Green Hill into a slow and boring stage at some points. I’m not saying Green Hills is bad, just way overhyped.
The worst part of green hill is the part with platforms moving up and down over spikes (don't remember the act), and the walls of them don't have collision and you just fall into the void dying even if you have invincibility. Guess how I found out? Because I only played sonic 1 and 2 mobile ports and a part of S3&K before it glitches out on marble zone idk about sonic CD though
Unpopular opinion: I enjoy Metropolis Zone. It has it pit falls sure but worse stage no. It's in the top half for me but I don't blame anyone putting it in the 30s
Me and my brother always liked metropolis zone and it gets too much hate do to its difficulty, most games in its entirety back in the day was known for being unfair and was just expected and caused the player to adapt and learn.
I wanna try my hand at this. It’ll be a long one. Part 2 in replies: D tier: 36. Sky Chase Zone • This zone is a boring drag and slows Sonic 2 to a screeching halt. No matter what you do, how many times you get hit, how many badniks popped, now many rings collected, you will NEVER speed this up. Good music tho. 35. Scrap Brain Zone • I hate Scrap Brain. It is easily one of the worst zones ever. I don’t mind the palette or even the music. I just hate the design. I mean, from the very beginning of the first act there’s a trap floor with a bottomless pit…who did this and why? Then we get Labyrinth act 4 for no reason. And I don’t even mind Labyrinth that much! 34. Metropolis Zone • This zone is the ONLY bad Sonic 2 zone. Well, only bad full zone. I know I put Sky Chase below. The enemy placement is the worst it’s ever been in any game ever. The badniks are the most annoying of any badnik ever. Thankfully any player should be able to have Super Sonic before this point to even the playing field imo. Especially with modern versions of the game. You should have Super Sonic before Oil Ocean at least and that’s when you aren’t going out of your way to get the emeralds at every checkpoint. Also the boss is boring. Music is fine tho. C tier: 33. Wacky Workbench Zone • This zone is annoying. I love the music and especially the goofy past version of it(haven’t heard the US track in a while but lets be honest the JP track is better in every single way and is more so the canon/main version of the sound of CD. US track isn’t bad tho). Anyways, the music is all this zone has. Annoying hazards, dumb gimmick, boss isn’t hard but it’s boring. Hate this place. And don’t get started on the generators! Sure, I know where they are. But new players will probably never find them ever. And doing the special stage probably will be hard too considering it’s hard to keep your rings here. 32. Sandopolis Zone • love the music. Love the aesthetic. But man it goes on for so long. This is tedium to the max. And we all know how much we love slow stop and wait sections in Sonic! The bosses are also ehh. The rock golem thing was interesting tho. I can appreciate an attempt at a unique fight. 31. Labyrinth Zone • The music is good. This zone isn’t that bad. The only thing is that it’s really slow and I guess there’s some poor enemy placement in the beginning. I find it decently challenging and like, you can get by these zones pretty fast. But most of it is underwater which is very slow. The spin dash and drop dash are useful for this purpose but use it sparingly because there’s a lot of hazards that will hurt you. And the end is not too bad if you don’t try to blow by it 30. Metallic Madness Zone • This is a fine zone if it wasn’t so maze like. There are times where the zone will mess with you by trapping you out of your progress if you got a little too curious and backtracked. We all know that part. And it’s hard looking for the generators. This is the only zone where I get time outs. The music is great tho. I love the music and it makes the time running out kind of exciting. Can’t explain it. 29. Wing Fortress Zone • This Zone is just dull, but it’s not hard and it’s not too bad. Just very very dull which to some might be an even worse crime for a Sonic game. You can skip over some of the level’s lame platforming and that’s without doing the whole invincible frames thing. If you are Super Sonic/Knuckles or Tails, you can actually skip more of this zone. The boss is fine. Super easy you’re Tails who can beat it before the platforms even come out. B tier: 28. Marble Zone • The music and visuals are good as usual. There’s some genuinely fun platforming and rewarding exploration. The only issue is some parts are slow with the moving blocks and there’s one part in act 3 I thing that is super punishing. Boss is fine if a bit easy. Decent zone. 27. Marble Garden Zone • This zone has underrated music. I love it. It’s fast paced which is good. There’s just some sections where you can get whacked by unseen obstacles and the drill top thing is kinda clunky but it’s whatever. The boss is fine unless you’re Tails alone. Pretty good. 26. Tidal Tempest Zone • This is a pretty good zone and unlike Labyrinth, you can actually run here lol. This is one of the only zones where I prefer the US versions of the track(the other isn’t a zone but it’s Sonic Boom). I like that funky r&b soul sounding melody or whatever. I’m no music buff. I just really like it. It’s not bad to explore, it’s not bad to speed through. It’s a decent little zone that’s like Labyrinth but done better. Even the boss have a chase sequence but they spice it up and the finale with bubbles and dodging the little beams. It’s neat. 25. Spring Yard Zone • Again, music is amazing and the palette is amazing. The first of these carnival/casino type zones and I think its aright. The the blocks are kind of boring to sit through but it’s not awful. A pretty decent zone. And the boss is one of the more unique. I actually like it. 24. Hill Top Zone • This zone is alright as with all these b tier zones. I don’t have much to say about it other than I enjoy it. Probably the epitome of b tier tho. 23. Carnival Night Zone • There’s going to be a theme with this tier of zones lol. Here’s Casino Night. A pretty fun zone to play through. I like it and that barrel is blown way out of proportion. Not that hard to figure out. I never got stuck on it. Just experiment. I loved the music to this zone but it’s since been replaced by a version of its proto music and I think it’s fine. Obviously it won’t be as good as the MJ tracks, but it’s fine. Casino Night definitely got the best track of any of the three that were replaced. 22. Collision Chaos Zone • Like all these types of zones, it can be annoying with all the bumpers and springs sending you all over the place. And this has those dumb glass orbs. But it’s not bad. The zone is pretty, great music, and fun to traverse when you can control yourself. The generators aren’t placed horribly so exploring isn’t an issue. The boss is annoying but not hard. 21. Casino Night Zone • Like the last three of these kinds of zones, this zone has the same strengths and weaknesses except this one has the most fun boss fight. That’s all haha.
A tier: 20. Death Egg Zone • This is how you do a final zone! It’s fast paced, challenging, and fun! There are some tedious moments like those light things but they aren’t too bad. The Music is top tier. It’s a very good zone. Also the bosses aren’t that bad. 19. Lava Reef Zone • This is very fun zone. I don’t have much to say about it but that isn’t a bad thing. I will say I love that transition from the the steaming red to the cool blue. It’s a joy. 18. Aquatic Ruin Zone • This zone is very fun to play through. The first act goes by pretty fast but the second one is where it’s gets interesting. I like the water route and the top route! Haven’t been through the middle route admittedly. But the bottom and top paths are very fun and fast paced. Just watch out for the arrows at one point if you’re under water. I also like the boss. It isn’t amazing but it’s unique and not tedious. And the music, palette, all that is good. We know this by now😂 17. Hidden Palace Zone • This is a greatly designed zone. Now, I admittedly don’t know the other routes. I only play through one path😅. I know there’s the water part with those jellyfish badniks but I never see them. The boss is more of a waiting game but you can breeze through it with Super Sonic which any player over the age of 8 should have by this point especially with the ability to restart special stages and with the in general abundance of checkpoints in every zone. Also is there a story reason for this zone? Because I have a head canon where this zone is just a fake Hidden Palace made to distract people from the real Hidden Palace 😂 16. Ice Cap Zone • This zone is really cool(haha). This is one I don’t have much to say again. It’s just very fun. The music I will miss a lot. Hard Times is this zone’s music. The new one is ok I guess. It’s the second best of the new ones imo. The only think I don’t like really is that it just doesn’t go with the opening. Can’t explain it but the opening of the original track goes with that snowboarding cinematic. The new one just doesn’t fit it. Maybe it’s just me. The rest of it is alright. 15. Quartz Quadrant Zone • This is one of my favorite zones to speed through. It’s so fun. The generators aren’t even that hidden. You can just bump into them by complete accident lol. The boss leaves a lot to be desired. It’s very unique and interesting but man is there a lack of gameplay with it. I wish you could at least make it go faster if one was able to pull off a peel out or spin dash. The boss isn’t that great, but the rest of the zone is. 14. Palmtree Panic Zone • This is a good starting. It’s very fun as with all neo-Green Hills as they call it I guess. Again, not much to say other than it’s very fun. It’s the perfect zone to speed through, explore in, get used to the time travel, peel out, the weird nerfed spin dash. 13. Oil Ocean Zone • I’ll probably get some flack for this, but I love Oil Ocean. This is one of those zones where I only take one route tho lol. I’m not familiar with all of what this zone has to offer but I do experience is a fun, fast paced, decently challenging platforming level. There are shortcuts, alt pathways, everything! The badniks never gave me trouble outside the very beginning of act 2. I never get hit outside of that opening. The zone gets hate but I’ve never understood it. The boss is alright. Nothing too crazy or difficult but it goes a little slow with the beam thing. Also the music and palette are great. Great designed zone. 12. Launch Base Zone • This zone is very fun and challenges. It’s nice just zipping through it. And I love that big arm and the Rocket one are both fought in origins. The one knock I have for this zone is the music. This was the biggest blow for me. I love that “go go go” mess the original track had. This new one is awful. I hate it. Old music got me pumped. Now? Just doesn’t feel the same. Launch Base took the biggest hit imo. Some people actually like the new track and that’s fine. Just not for me. It’s the only one of the three that actually makes the zone worse for me😅. It would be S tier if it had its old track back. 11. Emerald Hill Zone • This zone is pretty cool and as iconic as Green Hill imo. It’s just lower because it goes by so so fast😂. Like there is 0 challenge in this zone. It’s just super fun to speed through and if you want, can explore too. It’s just very very easy. I like that in other versions of Green Hill, elements of Emerald Hill are implemented. Fun opening zone that’s too easy but doesn’t hurt it too much. 10. Mushroom Hill Zone • This is a fun zone. We all love the changing seasons gimmick of course. It’s one of the prettiest zones of the classic games. The only thing that hurts this one are those pulleys. Really wish they could just zip you up lol. S tier: 09. Starlight Zone • This zone is awesome. It’s the first true return to speed in Sonic 1. The green and black palette works well. The theme is amazing. It’s fun blasting away at high speed. The boss is easy but interesting and fun in being able to choose if you wanna bounce into the ol doctor or use his bombs against him. There are some areas that would trap you with bombs or orbinauts(is that their name?). This is really the calm before the storm tho. Because one of the worst zones is right after this one. 08. Flying Battery Zone • Another thrilling zone with the music to match. This is like Sega trying to make up for the super dull Wing Fortress and they are forgiven! 07. Stardust Speedway Zone • Let’s get out of the way the music is amazing. I don’t talk about it much but I feel it’s implied that all versions of the CD track is great. Past, present, and both futures and all with breath palettes. There are some valid arguments against this zone(unlike with Oil Ocean). I can see how it can be confusing to navigate. The flip signs that change what platforms you can walk on or go through have 0 indication of which one you’re on. The boosters send you flying everywhere and you can accidentally travel to a point in time you don’t want(almost always the future). And it can be hard looking for the generators. But man that feeling of going fast it’s just so good. And it’s fun doing time trials for this level(all zones are fun to speed through in CD except Wacky Workbench). Timing your jumps, hitting the boosters, going the right path through those tunnels(?) it’s all so exciting. And the Metal Sonic race is so cool. The moment you get there and he’s doing his own finger wag to the end of the race and you show him he’s nothing more than a pale imitation of the real deal. And yea there’s some serious rubber banding going on but it’s easy to ignore. You can choose to go up and platform a little or stay below and avoid Metal’s attacks. Just run into spikes and jump over him. It’s so fun if you completely smoke Metal and wait a few seconds for him to catch up and it’s equally as fun if you and Metal are neck and neck and you just barely beat him. 06. Sky Sanctuary Zone • This is super fun. Like all great zones, there’s a nice sense of speed and platforming. Mecha is a cool fight especially for Knuckles who looked pathetic against Sonic. The zone is amazing and I think everyone can agree it’s S tier. Also Knuckles shooing Sonic. Who knows the reference? lol 05. Angle Island Zone • This is a gorgeous zone with amazing music and the most different starting zone from Green Hill. Speed, exploration, platforming, all that good stuff and this zone delivers. And can say Knuckles has the coolest introduction? He beat the emeralds out of Super Sonic! I don’t care how ridiculous that is, it’s awesome! 04. Green Hill Zone • you all knew this would be up here. It’s the OG! And this zone has everything. It’s a perfect starting level. Maybe the perfect starting level. Also this is small but I love sound of the water when you’re near it lol. And as with all starting zones the boss is pathetic but the wrecking ball is at least charming lol. 03. Mystic Cave Zone • The music. Ok there’s more than just the music. It’s a fast paced zone with some fun platforming. It’s cool. And the palette is so good. The aesthetic is so good. I love this zone. My only complaint is the light bug badnik that can force you to stop. If you have a shield or don’t care about rings, I say just blast through them lol. The boss I admit, I do not like. I hate the dodge falling degree thing. Super Sonic to the rescue! But I kind of never fight the boss anyways because I prefer to go through Hidden Palace and fight that boss. Still, high tier zone! 02. Chemical Plant Zone • We all know…again. Music, speed, not much platforming but still. Exhilarating zone! Some people don’t like the water segment but it’s not that bad and there’s at least two ways to skip it. You can use speed to bypass it or go up an alt path where you can get more rings and an invincibility. You can cheese the boss unless you’re Knuckles. It’s a fun zone. 01. Hrydrocity Zone • I don’t care how one says it. I say Hydrocity and Hydro City interchangeably at any given time. I’m not married to one way and they both make perfect sense. However you wanna say it, doesn’t matter. What everyone can agree on is what does matter. The speed, platforming, music, level design, palette, boss fights. This zone is perfect! I have not one complaint about it. This is not just a good water level to me. It’s the best zone of the classic Sonic games!!
My personal top 5 classic sonic Zones(All of this is my personel opinion). Nr.5:Mystic Cave Zone Nr.4:Star Light Zone Nr.3:Flying Battery Zone Nr.2Mirage Salon Zone Nr.1Ice Cap Zone
Obligatory comment that 2P Mystic Cave is ABSOLUTELY the intended music for Hidden Palace. The so-called "Hidden Palace" song only features in a corrupted broken version of the level in the final game. EVERY prototype where the level is playable uses 2P Mystic Cave.
Scrap Brain is way worse than Metropolis and especially Air Fortress Zone. It should be way lower on the list in my opinion. Edit #1: 11:29 I am a Quartz Quadrant fan, mostly because of the music. Edit #2: 11:55 Hill top is one of my favorite zones, shame in you for having a different opinion than me. Edit #3: 13:07 that's what Scrap Brain does but it has terrible obstacles every 10 seconds instead of every minute. Edit #4 15:04 That's one of the only good levels in Sonic CD imo, I have no idea how you think Collision Chaos is better. Edit #5 17:30 I think Marble Garden is really boring and it's way worse than Hill Top, Mystic Cave, and Emerald Hill Edit #6 20:05 I liked this zone a lot, especially the secrets and the alternate methods to get ring boxes, but it's ruined for me because I have to spend a lot of the time waiting in those stupid elevator things. Edit #7 28:37 this would be on my top 5 if not for the skychase section Edit #8 37:52 I like Casino Night but compared to the other zones in the top 15 it's not that good. The pinball stuff mostly gets in the way and there's a lot of waiting involved. It's a good zone. But it's not a zone I ever look forward to playing. Edit #9 40:50 I like IceCap, but it's more of a top 20 for me rather than a top 6 Edit #10 47:22 I'm not a fan of Studiopolis Act 2.
Scrap Brain isn't that bad. There is a cheap shot thing where in act 2 or act 1 (I can't remember) there's a bottomless pit at the start of the level where you can die if you try to run across a bridge. Never liked that.
@@benjamink.crowley4889 I just think it's really hard to see the stupid pipes that spit out the fire. Also never take the lower route in Scrap Brain Zone Act 1.
@@benjamink.crowley4889 scrap brain is pretty bad. That trap floor at the start alone makes it bottom tier. I wouldn’t call it F tier as I don’t believe in an F tier classic Sonic zone but it’s down there. In my own rankings I only have it above sky chase because there’s at least actual gameplay
Every level from S3&K is good to me! Sometimes Sandopolis, Mushroom Hill and Marble Garden can be annoying but the music and stage designs keep me entertained. Worst levels tho... Metropolis, Labyrith, Scrap Brain, Spring Yard, Collision Chaos and Wacky Workbench.
i'm pretty sure quartz quadrant IS filler. sonic CD's zones are mildly based off of sonic 1's. PP: green hill CC: spring yard TT: labyrinth and so on. but they removed CD's version of marble zone, and had to make a NEW zone to compensate. so yeah, as far as i know, this it true.
The worst ones for me would probably be: 1. Marble Zone (by far) 2. Labyrinth Zone 3. Oil Ocean 4. Spring Yard Zone (awesome music though) 5. Carnival Night Zone And the best: 1. Sky Sanctuary Zone 2. Casino Night Zone 3. Mushroom Hill Zone 4. Icecap Zone 5. Flying Battery Zone
(Hot take) Marble garden, mystic cave, Press garden , Aquatic ruin, Sandoplis, hidden palace are the top 6 best classic sonic zones of all time in my opinion.
Lol Metropolis at the bottom of the pile. I like metropolis. I played this a lot as a kid and it's where I'd always get lost/stuck and I guess I kinda got used to it. Yes, it is absolutely unfair at times.... or most of the time. But that makes it FUN. LOLOL
Sonic the Hedgehog: 6: Labyrinth Zone 5: Marble Zone 4: Scrap Brain Zone 3: Spring Yard Zone 2: Starlight Zone 1: Green Hill Zone Sonic the Hedgehog 2: 9: Metropolis Zone 8: Aquatic Ruins Zone 7: Oil Ocean Zone 6: Emerald Hill Zone 5: Hil Top Zone 4: Wing Fortress Zone 3: Casino Night Zone 2: Mystic Cave Zone 1: Chemical Plant Zone Sonic CD: 7: Wacky Workbench 6: Tidal Tempest 5: Palm Tree Panic 4: Collision Chaos 3: Metallic Madness 2: Quartz Quadrant 1: Stardust Speedway Sonic 3 & Knuckles: 14: Sandopolis Zone 13: Marble Garden Zone 12: Carnival Night Zone 11: Hidden Palace Zone 10: Launch Base Zone 9: Lava Reef Zone 8: Mushroom Hill Zone 7: Flying Battery Zone 6: Death Egg Zone 5: Ice Cap Zone 4: The Doomsday Zone 3: Angel Island Zone 2: Hydrocity Zone 1: Sky Sanctuary Zone Sonic Mania: 5: Titanic Monarch Zone 4: Egg Reviere Zone 3: Press Factory Zone 2: Mirage Saloon Zone 1: Studiopolis Zone
*Stardust speedway and Sky Sanctuary are some of my two favorite classic stages, they're music goes hard.* (I like green and Emerald hill but that's predictable).
Favourite- 1-marble & star light, least fave- labyrinth(that godforsaken boss fight). 2-chemical plant, aquatic ruin, mystic cave & metropolis, least fave- wing fortress (boss fight again), oil ocean & death egg. 3- hydrocity, ice cap & launch base, least fave- don't really have 1 though that barrel in carnival night is so annoying. Knuckles- Flying Battery & Lava Reef, least fave- Sandopolis (those stupid ghosts), & Doomsday (just a bloomin pain).
I managed to make all the good futures in Sonic CD (on mobile) and making a good future in Wacky Workbench was pain. I apply this to Metallic Madness. These 2 levels were pain.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Music:
Tee Lopes '12 remixes: ruclips.net/video/eDY0kZhJ0Wg/видео.html
Sonic 2 HD OST Tee Lopes: ruclips.net/video/VRjHM8wiTbg/видео.html
Sonic 2 HD OST Toni Leys: ruclips.net/p/PLs32wOK-XZhZpLZrWNnxFiRPy3mdc3Ann
Metropolis Zone by Tweaker: ruclips.net/video/wpnc44Sd96g/видео.html
Sky Chase by Dr Reverbnik: ruclips.net/video/w_kDN0JaJUc/видео.html
Wing Fortress by Blake Robinson: ruclips.net/video/nNPIStzy7Zo/видео.html
Project Chaos Album (used for S3K stages): ocremix.org/album/9/sonic-3-and-knuckles-project-chaos
Bruh. Quartz Quadrant is my favorite stage in Classic Sonic. I love the stage so much.
Yeah, I really like Quartz Quadrant. It's straightforward on the bottom, but the upper sections offer some great platforming.
Most underrated sonic level imo
Its pretty good i agree
Same here
Best level in cd definitely better than Collision Chaos and Stardust Speedway
You know what my problem is with every Sonic game's soundtrack? Super Sonic has his own theme that cuts over the level theme. I really realized this during my playthrough of Mania. After the level I unlocked him in, I usually tend to avoid using it for anything but boss fights.
You're absolutely right. There should really be an option to turn off super music, like I'm sure there is in the fan-made versions. The stage themes are a huge part of the experience of the games; being forced to listen to the same short invincibility jingle on a loop almost feels like punishment for using super forms. It doesn't help that the super theme in Origins is terrible, either.
@@Galamoth06You can do it in mania i believe
I know, I have this same problem and I have an idea to fix it.
Instead of having his own little theme, why not remix the original levels theme?
What I hated most is that he was automatic in Sonic 2 & in 3&K without a shield, [original versions] I believe some fan made games even gave you the option to actually turn him back into regular Sonic without it happening automatically when you ran out of rings
In mania there is a cheat code to turn of super sonic music
My mind is blown that Quartz Quadrant is so low! That’s an easy top 5 for me. The appeal is the INSANE amount of routing options and how many awesome ways there are to utilise the level gimmicks to get to the past. The robot generators are the most elegantly implemented of any in CD and the theming throughout all the time zones is some of the most rich and detailed in all of Classic Sonic. And the music, gamers, THE MUSIC 🔥🔥🔥
One thing I loved about this video was the 5 seconds we had to guess which zone was coming up based on the soundtrack covers. Very cleverly done lol.
I know Sonic music are generally great, but this achieves to be my favorite song of the series
I know! I feel like all of the Sonic CD levels were a bit low. It took the creativity from Sonic 1 and dialed it up to 11. The rich backgrounds ooze vibrance and beauty from every pixel. The music (at least from JP, but I like the US tracks too) hit so many emotions and brings the vibrancy of the colors directly into your ears. That’s why it’s my favorite game in the entire franchise.
I love Quartz Quadrant
Quartz quadrant fan here! I think the music is amazing, the level looks beautiful and even if the gimmicks aren't that interesting I find it cool how when you get good the level becomes one big, extremely fun obstacle course you can beat in under a minute (counting both acts)
Quartz Quadrant is one of my favorite Sonic Stages for the reasons you describe. Also the past and future music is really good and the stages are fun to explore because they're multiple environments.
best stage to me actually the only one i take my time in just for the music
@@turb0717 yeah, quartz quadrant and stardust speedway have some of the best music in the entire franchise imo
Who here knew that when Sonic 3 & Knuckles was originally designed to be 1 game that Flying Battery was originally going to be between Carnival Night & Icecap for the night back to day transition, & the door and the of Flying Battery was originally intended to be used as the snowboard at the beginning of Icecap
Emerald hill zone is so nostalgic to my opinion.
Would you believe Marble Zone is my favorite level in Sonic 1? The great aestetic, catchy music, And challenging platforming really make it stand out for me.
I tend to like the plarforming and exploration aspect of Sonic games rather than the speed, so that probably explains it.
Great video, btw! Always a joy to see what other people enjoy out of these amazing collection of zones!
Marble also has speed. Very underrated speed. There are sections where you are forced to ride slow moving blocks, but there are probably more sections where you can speed through platforming segments. It’s really good. And of course it has secrets and shortcuts. Multiple paths. It really is a solid Sonic level
I agree, Marble Zone is underrated. There’s so much creativity, and I feel that it’s one of more well done puzzle stages in all of Sonic. It also has a calm yet slightly eerie atmosphere that I love so much. In my opinion it’s one of the stand out stages in Sonic 1, because of how different it is from everything else.
I AGREE I LOVE MARBLE ZONE! It’s easily one of my favorite Sonic Zones.
I like marble zone as well, the music is great & i love the design
Marble and Star Light.
Fun Fact: Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon are likely to be located on West Side Island, alongside the other Sonic 2 zones. This is because in Chemical Plant you take a pipe which transports you to Studiopolis which means it must be on the same island - and Mirage Saloon is shown to be directly next door to Oil Ocean which confirms it too is located on the same island. This is backed up by Mirage Saloon being heavily inspired by a scrapped Sonic 2 zone, Sand Shower/Dust Hill Zone
Nice
Titanic Monarch is also implied to be on Little Planet, considering it’s located right outside of Metallic Madness Zone at the end of MMZ act 2. Plus there’s the unused R9/Final Fever zone from Sonic CD, which I believe was the inspiration for the level.
My favorite classic stage (stage in general) is Lava Reef. It’s a great final challenge that preps you for your fight with Knuckles. It also houses the hidden palace and master emerald.
Im going to name my child Lava Reef Zone tbh
Finally, someone like me.
Sky Chase is like. worse than a Mario 3 autoscroller because if you stim too hard (spindash, run around) while waiting, you can actually outpace the plane and fall off. At least in a regular autoscroller level it feels more like it's your fault when you die from fucking around
I am a Quarz Quadrant fan I love the zone and the soundtrack
Angel Island, Casino Night, Mirage Saloon, and Mushroom Hill are my favorite zones
Condensed version of my Zones list so it’s easier to read:
D Tier-
36. Sky Chase
35. Wacky Workbench
34. Scrap Brain
33. Metropolis
C Tier-
32. Sandopolis
31. Labyrinth
30. Metallic Madness
29. Wing Fortress
B Tier-
28. Marble
27. Marble Garden
26. Tidal Tempest
25. Spring Yard
24. Hill Top
23. Carnival Night
22. Collision Chaos
21. Casino Night
A Tier-
20. Death Egg
19. Lava Reef
18. Aquatic Ruin
17. Hidden Palace
16. Ice Cap
15. Quartz Quadrant
14. Palmtree Panic
13. Oil Ocean
12. Launch Base
11. Emerald Hill
10. Mushroom Hill
S Tier-
09. Starlight
08. Flying Battery
07. Stardust Speedway
06. Sky Sanctuary
05. Angel Island
04. Green Hill
03. Mystic Cave
02. Chemical Plant
01. Hydrocity
Great ranking! I think Wing Fortress should switch places with Marble Zone, but besides that it's a really good ranking.
I hate Hydrocity
@@MilesReset ok attention seeker
Nice ranking!
That's a really good ranking
I only realized a few months ago that the huge "ramp" at the start of Palmtree Panic is actually a massive loop with a ramp on the other side only seen from behind Sonic, because the level flips upside-down momentarily.
In my opinion, I think labyrinth zone’s cheap traps kind of fit with the theme of it being an ancient ruin and in my brain I think that the traps were installed by whatever ancient civilization built labyrinth created those traps to Deter away any intruders.
It is good world building 100%, makes it feel like it has/once had a purpose other than just being a video game level. Doesn't mean it isn't the worst part of the game tho
Used to hate the level as a kid because I would panic too much about sonic drowning. Now I really look forward to playing the level it’s challenging and great atmosphere.
I'm always baffled for how you're able to pump out the amount videos of insane lenght in this amount of time
100% agree. And they're all such enjoyable videos too
Exactly it's crazy
It’s basically his job so he kind of has too
Links to all the covers?
Stopped watching this video the very moment I reached Quartz Quadrant.
I like the hints that tease the next zone on the number by using a remix of that zone’s music
33:47 Press Gardens act 2 is the only zone in Mania where I actually got Softlocked while trying to reach an area with tails that I thought was reachable. I had to run the timer out and if I hadn't turned the time over time off after this stage, I might have genuinely been softlocked and had to restart, which would have sucked.
5:45
I got it. Green Hill, Spring Yard, Marble, Star Light, Labyrinth, Scrap Brain.
Metropolis Zone from the start😭😭😭 Damn this was my favorite zone from Sonic 2 when I was 5
Don’t worry I also love Metropolis zone. I really don’t hate any Sonic 2 zones. Also I got kinda sad too bec Marble Zone is my favorite zone from Sonic 1.
@@AylaAndAlly Yeah Marble Zone is not bad either. Especially when you learn all the shortcuts
@@AylaAndAllyi feel the excatly the same, the music for both levels are awesome
I don't think that it should be the last place, but you're literally insane. The only redeeming quality it has is an ABSOLUTELY GREAT music. I would still place it in bottom 10
Same I would do the cheat just to play Metropolis and death egg.
Pup, could you tell me what the music at 4:42 is? Id really appreciate it.
Labyrinth zone, sonic mania remix
Amazing video and you never disappoint us with sonic content.
Fr screw the caterkillers, especially the big ones from the modern games🤣🤣
Where would you place Doomsday Zone on this list? It's just as much a level as Sky Chase, except you can actually speed up the side scrolling a little bit with your air dash. It's also more than just a boss fight as you actually have a bit of traversal, even if it is a bunch of rocks as obstacles and some life-saving rings.
I understand not including the Zones that are more or less boss oriented(although I'd probably include them anyway for the sake of completion), but why didn't you include the remixed Mania zones? IMO, they're different enough to separate them from their original counterparts.
Loving all the ranking videos yoube been doing lately and the longer analysis videos on sonic things. Your content is on a whole nother level this past year. And i liked your content before but the more in depth analysis is always my jam espcially when ranking videos are long bc you go over each zone and give analysis about it. Love it. Keep up the good work my dude. Naturally i disagree with a lot. I like Metropolis. A little cheap sure but i like the challenge of it when its not being cheap. Also Labyrnith i quite like too. It takes a lot of runs to aprpeciate it but there is always a shortcut to get through each act in about 2 mins or so and i love the music for both Metropolis and Labyrnith. Also to answer your question Quartz Quadrant is my fav Sonic CD zone. Im a weird sonic fan. Also Hilltop is my fav Sonic 2 level lol. Love being up in the mountains and all that and the level design is really good. But for most of your bottom 10 i agree. Mostly just disagreeing on where we would place the good zones we both like. Finally someone agreeing Marble is the worst Sonic 1 level. Also Starlight is my fav Sonic 1 level by a wide margain #28?! Harsh man lol. So 3 of my fav levels are in your bottom 12 lol. Which is fine its interesting seeing different rankings and stuff. We disagree on a lot lol but ultimately basically like the same levels as i feel everything ranked 29 or higher are all solid to very good zones.
Basically my favorite zones from each game. Sonic 1 - Starlight. Sonic 2 - Hilltop Sonic 3 - Marble Garden S&K - Mushroom Hill Sonic CD - Quartz Quadrant Mania - Press Garden
Finally someone shares my weird taste in sonic levels
I never knew that hil top was actually the backround for emerald hill.
Also, where did you get the music ?! It sounds awsome !
The artists where the music came from are in the beggining of the video.
the music is various remixes of the original music from the games, a lot of the sonic 3 music he used was from an album called Project Chaos.
I'm sorry to disagree with you but I still believe Labyrinth Zone is worse than Marble Zone, mainly because of it's design in comparison, the constant traps and near drowning experiences, you might think Marble Zone is boring but I'd rather take boring anytime of the day than frustration
Same here
Metropolis is actually one of my favourite levels on Sonic 2, and actually features one of my favourite pieces of music from any Sonic game!
Gotta agree, the music is awesome
12:06 inst green hill the mountain from the background?
I've got love for Sky Chase Zone. It's massively story building/telling & a great break before the final showdown. It's also unique in its play style which is always welcome in classic Sonic.
(P.S. - Hard agree they should have used the intended track for HPZ. No matter what anybody says, it suits it so much more, for so many reasons.)
(And yes, I'm aware the creators apparently intended it to be multi-player Cave Zone but, the fact "track 10" is used in what was left of the cut level in the original games? That proves what they were really going to use in the final cut & rightly so).
Since Hydrocity is a part of Sonic 3 we have the bubble shield so we don't have to worry about running out of breath.
Is the final stage where you have to be Super Sonic still the Death Egg zone? It has been so long since I played it that I don't recall. My favorite stage is Lava Reef.
4:48 Do you know who made the Labyrinth ZoNE Remix ? It sounds amazing and I would like to know the artist
I think it was Tee Lopes
Love your choice in remixes!
For me the most annoying part of Marble Zone isn't the lava, it's the spikes. Especially the spike trap that falls from the ceiling and you have to wait for it to fall to use it as elevator.
If flying battery had mania's layout. It would be higher, but its still a good zone
Flying Battery is kind of half Like Metropolis on the inside and Wing Fortress on the outside. Flying Battery Zone act 2 in Sonic Mania however was the first time the Flying Battery ever flown through a thunderstorm.
I really don’t get the hate for Marble, Oil ocean and Starlight. Some of my favorites all together. Though Marina madness will stay on top
Aquatic Ruin is the only fun water zone in Classic Sonic
I love the Sonic and Spider-Man theme this channel has 2 of my favourite franchises in my top 3
Metropolis isn't that bad. Just get good. It certainly has its problems, but there are some fun gimmicks, and it's the only level in Sonic 2 with legitimately challenging platforming. After playing so many easy, linear levels, I welcome the added challenge.
It's not really about skill, it's just bad enemy and lava placement. Also running up those annoying screws is really annoying. Scrap Brain is way worse though.
@@spence8507 Metropolis is better than a few levels. I'd still put it in the 30s, but it doesn't deserve the bottom spot.
@@mistersp3753 I agree
Also it's hard for a reason, it's near the end.
I kinda agree. When I first played through the levels I only died once or twice (one was because I didn’t know there would be a moving platform right before the boss and ran off the edge). Was it semi annoying with the enemy placement, a little, but I feel that it made me manage my speed a bit more. As long as you’re not blazing through then the level ain’t that bad.
NO WAY METROPOLIS IS LOWER THAN WING FORTRESS. Seriously I had some fun in metropolis but sky chase…
Unless you play as tails you’re doomed.
I’m a Sonic CD fan, so I guess that I’m a bit biased, but I love the beauty of Quartz Quadrant and Stardust Speedway. Also, I feel Green Hill is way too high on the list. Green Hill has annoying instant death pits in cheap areas, or that just look like spikes. People constantly forget that the spin dash didn’t even exist in Sonic 1, which in my opinion turns Green Hill into a slow and boring stage at some points. I’m not saying Green Hills is bad, just way overhyped.
The worst part of green hill is the part with platforms moving up and down over spikes (don't remember the act), and the walls of them don't have collision and you just fall into the void dying even if you have invincibility. Guess how I found out?
Because I only played sonic 1 and 2 mobile ports and a part of S3&K before it glitches out on marble zone idk about sonic CD though
Putting QQZ so low on this list should be a crime.
Unpopular opinion: I enjoy Metropolis Zone. It has it pit falls sure but worse stage no. It's in the top half for me but I don't blame anyone putting it in the 30s
6:19 guys it's not a labyrinth where are you getting that from, And no the ghost mechanic isn't annoying you can find a switch every 30 seconds
@channel pup my favourite act 1 in sonic 3 and knuckles is sandoplis and act 2 is ok
Fitting for superstars let's hope superstars is fun!
Enemy placement in metropolis zone remind me of the gun robots in hidden base
Enjoying the list so far
Me and my brother always liked metropolis zone and it gets too much hate do to its difficulty, most games in its entirety back in the day was known for being unfair and was just expected and caused the player to adapt and learn.
Quartz Quadrant is my favourite CD stage, it’s so comfy!
I wanna try my hand at this. It’ll be a long one. Part 2 in replies:
D tier:
36. Sky Chase Zone
• This zone is a boring drag and slows Sonic 2 to a screeching halt. No matter what you do, how many times you get hit, how many badniks popped, now many rings collected, you will NEVER speed this up. Good music tho.
35. Scrap Brain Zone
• I hate Scrap Brain. It is easily one of the worst zones ever. I don’t mind the palette or even the music. I just hate the design. I mean, from the very beginning of the first act there’s a trap floor with a bottomless pit…who did this and why? Then we get Labyrinth act 4 for no reason. And I don’t even mind Labyrinth that much!
34. Metropolis Zone
• This zone is the ONLY bad Sonic 2 zone. Well, only bad full zone. I know I put Sky Chase below. The enemy placement is the worst it’s ever been in any game ever. The badniks are the most annoying of any badnik ever. Thankfully any player should be able to have Super Sonic before this point to even the playing field imo. Especially with modern versions of the game. You should have Super Sonic before Oil Ocean at least and that’s when you aren’t going out of your way to get the emeralds at every checkpoint. Also the boss is boring. Music is fine tho.
C tier:
33. Wacky Workbench Zone
• This zone is annoying. I love the music and especially the goofy past version of it(haven’t heard the US track in a while but lets be honest the JP track is better in every single way and is more so the canon/main version of the sound of CD. US track isn’t bad tho). Anyways, the music is all this zone has. Annoying hazards, dumb gimmick, boss isn’t hard but it’s boring. Hate this place. And don’t get started on the generators! Sure, I know where they are. But new players will probably never find them ever. And doing the special stage probably will be hard too considering it’s hard to keep your rings here.
32. Sandopolis Zone
• love the music. Love the aesthetic. But man it goes on for so long. This is tedium to the max. And we all know how much we love slow stop and wait sections in Sonic! The bosses are also ehh. The rock golem thing was interesting tho. I can appreciate an attempt at a unique fight.
31. Labyrinth Zone
• The music is good. This zone isn’t that bad. The only thing is that it’s really slow and I guess there’s some poor enemy placement in the beginning. I find it decently challenging and like, you can get by these zones pretty fast. But most of it is underwater which is very slow. The spin dash and drop dash are useful for this purpose but use it sparingly because there’s a lot of hazards that will hurt you. And the end is not too bad if you don’t try to blow by it
30. Metallic Madness Zone
• This is a fine zone if it wasn’t so maze like. There are times where the zone will mess with you by trapping you out of your progress if you got a little too curious and backtracked. We all know that part. And it’s hard looking for the generators. This is the only zone where I get time outs. The music is great tho. I love the music and it makes the time running out kind of exciting. Can’t explain it.
29. Wing Fortress Zone
• This Zone is just dull, but it’s not hard and it’s not too bad. Just very very dull which to some might be an even worse crime for a Sonic game. You can skip over some of the level’s lame platforming and that’s without doing the whole invincible frames thing. If you are Super Sonic/Knuckles or Tails, you can actually skip more of this zone. The boss is fine. Super easy you’re Tails who can beat it before the platforms even come out.
B tier:
28. Marble Zone
• The music and visuals are good as usual. There’s some genuinely fun platforming and rewarding exploration. The only issue is some parts are slow with the moving blocks and there’s one part in act 3 I thing that is super punishing. Boss is fine if a bit easy. Decent zone.
27. Marble Garden Zone
• This zone has underrated music. I love it. It’s fast paced which is good. There’s just some sections where you can get whacked by unseen obstacles and the drill top thing is kinda clunky but it’s whatever. The boss is fine unless you’re Tails alone. Pretty good.
26. Tidal Tempest Zone
• This is a pretty good zone and unlike Labyrinth, you can actually run here lol. This is one of the only zones where I prefer the US versions of the track(the other isn’t a zone but it’s Sonic Boom). I like that funky r&b soul sounding melody or whatever. I’m no music buff. I just really like it. It’s not bad to explore, it’s not bad to speed through. It’s a decent little zone that’s like Labyrinth but done better. Even the boss have a chase sequence but they spice it up and the finale with bubbles and dodging the little beams. It’s neat.
25. Spring Yard Zone
• Again, music is amazing and the palette is amazing. The first of these carnival/casino type zones and I think its aright. The the blocks are kind of boring to sit through but it’s not awful. A pretty decent zone. And the boss is one of the more unique. I actually like it.
24. Hill Top Zone
• This zone is alright as with all these b tier zones. I don’t have much to say about it other than I enjoy it. Probably the epitome of b tier tho.
23. Carnival Night Zone
• There’s going to be a theme with this tier of zones lol. Here’s Casino Night. A pretty fun zone to play through. I like it and that barrel is blown way out of proportion. Not that hard to figure out. I never got stuck on it. Just experiment. I loved the music to this zone but it’s since been replaced by a version of its proto music and I think it’s fine. Obviously it won’t be as good as the MJ tracks, but it’s fine. Casino Night definitely got the best track of any of the three that were replaced.
22. Collision Chaos Zone
• Like all these types of zones, it can be annoying with all the bumpers and springs sending you all over the place. And this has those dumb glass orbs. But it’s not bad. The zone is pretty, great music, and fun to traverse when you can control yourself. The generators aren’t placed horribly so exploring isn’t an issue. The boss is annoying but not hard.
21. Casino Night Zone
• Like the last three of these kinds of zones, this zone has the same strengths and weaknesses except this one has the most fun boss fight. That’s all haha.
A tier:
20. Death Egg Zone
• This is how you do a final zone! It’s fast paced, challenging, and fun! There are some tedious moments like those light things but they aren’t too bad. The Music is top tier. It’s a very good zone. Also the bosses aren’t that bad.
19. Lava Reef Zone
• This is very fun zone. I don’t have much to say about it but that isn’t a bad thing. I will say I love that transition from the the steaming red to the cool blue. It’s a joy.
18. Aquatic Ruin Zone
• This zone is very fun to play through. The first act goes by pretty fast but the second one is where it’s gets interesting. I like the water route and the top route! Haven’t been through the middle route admittedly. But the bottom and top paths are very fun and fast paced. Just watch out for the arrows at one point if you’re under water. I also like the boss. It isn’t amazing but it’s unique and not tedious. And the music, palette, all that is good. We know this by now😂
17. Hidden Palace Zone
• This is a greatly designed zone. Now, I admittedly don’t know the other routes. I only play through one path😅. I know there’s the water part with those jellyfish badniks but I never see them. The boss is more of a waiting game but you can breeze through it with Super Sonic which any player over the age of 8 should have by this point especially with the ability to restart special stages and with the in general abundance of checkpoints in every zone. Also is there a story reason for this zone? Because I have a head canon where this zone is just a fake Hidden Palace made to distract people from the real Hidden Palace 😂
16. Ice Cap Zone
• This zone is really cool(haha). This is one I don’t have much to say again. It’s just very fun. The music I will miss a lot. Hard Times is this zone’s music. The new one is ok I guess. It’s the second best of the new ones imo. The only think I don’t like really is that it just doesn’t go with the opening. Can’t explain it but the opening of the original track goes with that snowboarding cinematic. The new one just doesn’t fit it. Maybe it’s just me. The rest of it is alright.
15. Quartz Quadrant Zone
• This is one of my favorite zones to speed through. It’s so fun. The generators aren’t even that hidden. You can just bump into them by complete accident lol. The boss leaves a lot to be desired. It’s very unique and interesting but man is there a lack of gameplay with it. I wish you could at least make it go faster if one was able to pull off a peel out or spin dash. The boss isn’t that great, but the rest of the zone is.
14. Palmtree Panic Zone
• This is a good starting. It’s very fun as with all neo-Green Hills as they call it I guess. Again, not much to say other than it’s very fun. It’s the perfect zone to speed through, explore in, get used to the time travel, peel out, the weird nerfed spin dash.
13. Oil Ocean Zone
• I’ll probably get some flack for this, but I love Oil Ocean. This is one of those zones where I only take one route tho lol. I’m not familiar with all of what this zone has to offer but I do experience is a fun, fast paced, decently challenging platforming level. There are shortcuts, alt pathways, everything! The badniks never gave me trouble outside the very beginning of act 2. I never get hit outside of that opening. The zone gets hate but I’ve never understood it. The boss is alright. Nothing too crazy or difficult but it goes a little slow with the beam thing. Also the music and palette are great. Great designed zone.
12. Launch Base Zone
• This zone is very fun and challenges. It’s nice just zipping through it. And I love that big arm and the Rocket one are both fought in origins. The one knock I have for this zone is the music. This was the biggest blow for me. I love that “go go go” mess the original track had. This new one is awful. I hate it. Old music got me pumped. Now? Just doesn’t feel the same. Launch Base took the biggest hit imo. Some people actually like the new track and that’s fine. Just not for me. It’s the only one of the three that actually makes the zone worse for me😅. It would be S tier if it had its old track back.
11. Emerald Hill Zone
• This zone is pretty cool and as iconic as Green Hill imo. It’s just lower because it goes by so so fast😂. Like there is 0 challenge in this zone. It’s just super fun to speed through and if you want, can explore too. It’s just very very easy. I like that in other versions of Green Hill, elements of Emerald Hill are implemented. Fun opening zone that’s too easy but doesn’t hurt it too much.
10. Mushroom Hill Zone
• This is a fun zone. We all love the changing seasons gimmick of course. It’s one of the prettiest zones of the classic games. The only thing that hurts this one are those pulleys. Really wish they could just zip you up lol.
S tier:
09. Starlight Zone
• This zone is awesome. It’s the first true return to speed in Sonic 1. The green and black palette works well. The theme is amazing. It’s fun blasting away at high speed. The boss is easy but interesting and fun in being able to choose if you wanna bounce into the ol doctor or use his bombs against him. There are some areas that would trap you with bombs or orbinauts(is that their name?). This is really the calm before the storm tho. Because one of the worst zones is right after this one.
08. Flying Battery Zone
• Another thrilling zone with the music to match. This is like Sega trying to make up for the super dull Wing Fortress and they are forgiven!
07. Stardust Speedway Zone
• Let’s get out of the way the music is amazing. I don’t talk about it much but I feel it’s implied that all versions of the CD track is great. Past, present, and both futures and all with breath palettes. There are some valid arguments against this zone(unlike with Oil Ocean). I can see how it can be confusing to navigate. The flip signs that change what platforms you can walk on or go through have 0 indication of which one you’re on. The boosters send you flying everywhere and you can accidentally travel to a point in time you don’t want(almost always the future). And it can be hard looking for the generators. But man that feeling of going fast it’s just so good. And it’s fun doing time trials for this level(all zones are fun to speed through in CD except Wacky Workbench). Timing your jumps, hitting the boosters, going the right path through those tunnels(?) it’s all so exciting. And the Metal Sonic race is so cool. The moment you get there and he’s doing his own finger wag to the end of the race and you show him he’s nothing more than a pale imitation of the real deal. And yea there’s some serious rubber banding going on but it’s easy to ignore. You can choose to go up and platform a little or stay below and avoid Metal’s attacks. Just run into spikes and jump over him. It’s so fun if you completely smoke Metal and wait a few seconds for him to catch up and it’s equally as fun if you and Metal are neck and neck and you just barely beat him.
06. Sky Sanctuary Zone
• This is super fun. Like all great zones, there’s a nice sense of speed and platforming. Mecha is a cool fight especially for Knuckles who looked pathetic against Sonic. The zone is amazing and I think everyone can agree it’s S tier. Also Knuckles shooing Sonic. Who knows the reference? lol
05. Angle Island Zone
• This is a gorgeous zone with amazing music and the most different starting zone from Green Hill. Speed, exploration, platforming, all that good stuff and this zone delivers. And can say Knuckles has the coolest introduction? He beat the emeralds out of Super Sonic! I don’t care how ridiculous that is, it’s awesome!
04. Green Hill Zone
• you all knew this would be up here. It’s the OG! And this zone has everything. It’s a perfect starting level. Maybe the perfect starting level. Also this is small but I love sound of the water when you’re near it lol. And as with all starting zones the boss is pathetic but the wrecking ball is at least charming lol.
03. Mystic Cave Zone
• The music. Ok there’s more than just the music. It’s a fast paced zone with some fun platforming. It’s cool. And the palette is so good. The aesthetic is so good. I love this zone. My only complaint is the light bug badnik that can force you to stop. If you have a shield or don’t care about rings, I say just blast through them lol. The boss I admit, I do not like. I hate the dodge falling degree thing. Super Sonic to the rescue! But I kind of never fight the boss anyways because I prefer to go through Hidden Palace and fight that boss. Still, high tier zone!
02. Chemical Plant Zone
• We all know…again. Music, speed, not much platforming but still. Exhilarating zone! Some people don’t like the water segment but it’s not that bad and there’s at least two ways to skip it. You can use speed to bypass it or go up an alt path where you can get more rings and an invincibility. You can cheese the boss unless you’re Knuckles. It’s a fun zone.
01. Hrydrocity Zone
• I don’t care how one says it. I say Hydrocity and Hydro City interchangeably at any given time. I’m not married to one way and they both make perfect sense. However you wanna say it, doesn’t matter. What everyone can agree on is what does matter. The speed, platforming, music, level design, palette, boss fights. This zone is perfect! I have not one complaint about it. This is not just a good water level to me. It’s the best zone of the classic Sonic games!!
@@thatoneguy1232I didn't read all of that, but I read your rank placements, I agree with a lot of it.
@@thatoneguy1232 just a heads up, you spelt "Angel Island Zone" wrong.
Who let bro cook?
EDIT: I will give you respect for Tidal Tempest Zone. You got some good taste
am i the only one who likes marble zone ?
I'm a fan of marble zone as well
My personal top 5 classic sonic Zones(All of this is my personel opinion).
Nr.5:Mystic Cave Zone
Nr.4:Star Light Zone
Nr.3:Flying Battery Zone
Nr.2Mirage Salon Zone
Nr.1Ice Cap Zone
Obligatory comment that 2P Mystic Cave is ABSOLUTELY the intended music for Hidden Palace. The so-called "Hidden Palace" song only features in a corrupted broken version of the level in the final game. EVERY prototype where the level is playable uses 2P Mystic Cave.
I think Im the only sonic fan who likes Metropolis zone x)
We're 2!
:D
3!
Kind of
I like it as well, especially the music
Quartz Quadrant is peak lmao, also the music is like top five in the series
i am a flying battery enjoyer
My favorite sonic zones are,
1. Stardust Speedway (Sonic mania)
2. Green Hill Zone (Sonic Mania)
3. Ice Cap Zone (Sonic 3)
For me number would be mirage saloon but i dont like act 1
Maybe just act 2 the music the environment the boss everything is on point
Honestly marble doesn’t deserve to be at 39.
Scrap Brain is way worse than Metropolis and especially Air Fortress Zone. It should be way lower on the list in my opinion.
Edit #1: 11:29 I am a Quartz Quadrant fan, mostly because of the music.
Edit #2: 11:55 Hill top is one of my favorite zones, shame in you for having a different opinion than me.
Edit #3: 13:07 that's what Scrap Brain does but it has terrible obstacles every 10 seconds instead of every minute.
Edit #4 15:04 That's one of the only good levels in Sonic CD imo, I have no idea how you think Collision Chaos is better.
Edit #5 17:30 I think Marble Garden is really boring and it's way worse than Hill Top, Mystic Cave, and Emerald Hill
Edit #6 20:05 I liked this zone a lot, especially the secrets and the alternate methods to get ring boxes, but it's ruined for me because I have to spend a lot of the time waiting in those stupid elevator things.
Edit #7 28:37 this would be on my top 5 if not for the skychase section
Edit #8 37:52 I like Casino Night but compared to the other zones in the top 15 it's not that good. The pinball stuff mostly gets in the way and there's a lot of waiting involved. It's a good zone. But it's not a zone I ever look forward to playing.
Edit #9 40:50 I like IceCap, but it's more of a top 20 for me rather than a top 6
Edit #10 47:22 I'm not a fan of Studiopolis Act 2.
Scrap Brain isn't that bad. There is a cheap shot thing where in act 2 or act 1 (I can't remember) there's a bottomless pit at the start of the level where you can die if you try to run across a bridge. Never liked that.
@@benjamink.crowley4889 I just think it's really hard to see the stupid pipes that spit out the fire. Also never take the lower route in Scrap Brain Zone Act 1.
@@benjamink.crowley4889 scrap brain is pretty bad. That trap floor at the start alone makes it bottom tier. I wouldn’t call it F tier as I don’t believe in an F tier classic Sonic zone but it’s down there. In my own rankings I only have it above sky chase because there’s at least actual gameplay
Me personally: I love Labyrinth and Metropolis, Marble is mid, Spring yard can lick my [censored]
Less than half of the Sonic 1 Zones are good
I've completed quite a few classic sonic zones, not all of them, but a few. And so far I think mushroom hill is probably my favourite
I'm surprised you didn't really talk about Mirage Saloon Zone having 3 wildly different implementations of the first act.
What's the 3rd one?
Knuck
Every level from S3&K is good to me! Sometimes Sandopolis, Mushroom Hill and Marble Garden can be annoying but the music and stage designs keep me entertained. Worst levels tho... Metropolis, Labyrith, Scrap Brain, Spring Yard, Collision Chaos and Wacky Workbench.
Unpopular opinion: i actually like scrap brain zone. All 3 acts, mainly because You can skip the labyrinth zone in act 3.
FINALLY someone puts Metropolis Zone lower than Labryinth.
i'm pretty sure quartz quadrant IS filler.
sonic CD's zones are mildly based off of sonic 1's.
PP: green hill
CC: spring yard
TT: labyrinth
and so on.
but they removed CD's version of marble zone, and had to make a NEW zone to compensate.
so yeah, as far as i know, this it true.
13:00 there's a yellow amogus in the background
This intro is peak lol don’t change it for years please
No plans to!
@@ChannelPup honestly, feels like a celebrity replied to my comment lol.
The worst ones for me would probably be:
1. Marble Zone (by far)
2. Labyrinth Zone
3. Oil Ocean
4. Spring Yard Zone (awesome music though)
5. Carnival Night Zone
And the best:
1. Sky Sanctuary Zone
2. Casino Night Zone
3. Mushroom Hill Zone
4. Icecap Zone
5. Flying Battery Zone
(Hot take) Marble garden, mystic cave, Press garden , Aquatic ruin, Sandoplis, hidden palace are the top 6 best classic sonic zones of all time in my opinion.
Good list 😊
11:34 yes actually they do exist and I’m one of them
Lol Metropolis at the bottom of the pile.
I like metropolis. I played this a lot as a kid and it's where I'd always get lost/stuck and I guess I kinda got used to it. Yes, it is absolutely unfair at times.... or most of the time. But that makes it FUN. LOLOL
Sonic the Hedgehog:
6: Labyrinth Zone
5: Marble Zone
4: Scrap Brain Zone
3: Spring Yard Zone
2: Starlight Zone
1: Green Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2:
9: Metropolis Zone
8: Aquatic Ruins Zone
7: Oil Ocean Zone
6: Emerald Hill Zone
5: Hil Top Zone
4: Wing Fortress Zone
3: Casino Night Zone
2: Mystic Cave Zone
1: Chemical Plant Zone
Sonic CD:
7: Wacky Workbench
6: Tidal Tempest
5: Palm Tree Panic
4: Collision Chaos
3: Metallic Madness
2: Quartz Quadrant
1: Stardust Speedway
Sonic 3 & Knuckles:
14: Sandopolis Zone
13: Marble Garden Zone
12: Carnival Night Zone
11: Hidden Palace Zone
10: Launch Base Zone
9: Lava Reef Zone
8: Mushroom Hill Zone
7: Flying Battery Zone
6: Death Egg Zone
5: Ice Cap Zone
4: The Doomsday Zone
3: Angel Island Zone
2: Hydrocity Zone
1: Sky Sanctuary Zone
Sonic Mania:
5: Titanic Monarch Zone
4: Egg Reviere Zone
3: Press Factory Zone
2: Mirage Saloon Zone
1: Studiopolis Zone
No Doomsday???
Finished the video, very entertaining
Green Hill Zone Chemical Plant Zone Stardust Speedway Zone Flying Battery Zone and Press Garden Zone are all my favorite classic sonic zones
This guy really likes to say, "In at number ____."
Actually, the greatest classic Sonic stage is Blue Marine Zone 🤓☝️
*Stardust speedway and Sky Sanctuary are some of my two favorite classic stages, they're music goes hard.* (I like green and Emerald hill but that's predictable).
i love speedrunning launch base zone act 2
Calling all Metropolis fans
the italian boys rly came in 1 minute in and sent death threats 😢
Mania Flying Battery > original Flying Battery
Original flying battery > Mania flying battery
@@Noshadesfunky respectfully disagree. The Mania version is a lot more fun to play, even if I prefer the originals music
This is the first time I was real happy with a ranking spot because yeah fuck marbel zone!
Favourite- 1-marble & star light, least fave- labyrinth(that godforsaken boss fight). 2-chemical plant, aquatic ruin, mystic cave & metropolis, least fave- wing fortress (boss fight again), oil ocean & death egg. 3- hydrocity, ice cap & launch base, least fave- don't really have 1 though that barrel in carnival night is so annoying. Knuckles- Flying Battery & Lava Reef, least fave- Sandopolis (those stupid ghosts), & Doomsday (just a bloomin pain).
I managed to make all the good futures in Sonic CD (on mobile) and making a good future in Wacky Workbench was pain. I apply this to Metallic Madness. These 2 levels were pain.
Can you make a sequel to this video where you at the game gear and master system zones and super stars
Wing Fortress & Sonic 2 Death Egg walked so Sonic 3 Death Egg could run and Titanic Monarch could dance
I have to admit it, I died the first time I played Sky Chase Zone
Quarts quadrant is my second favorite zone in cd