Dr. Crusher Presents: The 30 Days of Sonic the Hedgehog (sponsored by PowerVerte)-Fin, PAGE 150

[RustyRick]

Day 23: Top 4 favorite songs from your 3 most favorite Sonic games?

Geez, these are getting longer and longer! Urgh, well here goes:

#1: Sonic Adventure:

1: Twinkle Circuit, love that little happy tune along with the remix of Sonic's theme in it.

2: Lazy Days: Livin' in Paradise. I bet most people will agree with me that as much as you might dislike Big's story and gameplay, you can't deny he has a great theme song.

3: Azure Blue World, AKA 1st part of Sonic and Gamma's section of Emerald Coast. This tune always makes me happy no matter what.

4: Twinkle Park's first section with the bumpercars with Sonic. I like it even though it's just a remix of Puppet Panic Zone from Sonic 3D Blast.

#2: Sonic Heroes

1: Frog Forest. I just love the tranquility of the entire music, a nice change of pace from how hectic everything else is.

2: Special Stage version 1 for orbs collecting: That music always gets my spirits up and I tolerate the special stages just to listen to it.

3: Final Fortress. I love how dooming the whole music and atmosphere is, symbolizing what's about to happen later on for those with full knowledge on it...

4: Metal Madness, 1st phase of transformed Metal Sonic boss. (NOT Metal Overlord). I like how this whole track signifies that Metal Sonic means business and plans to kill off everyone, and that voice of his doesn't help matters either.

#3: Sonic 2006 (I like it for music only)

1: 1st Mephiles boss fight music. I like it for the intense dooming music.

2: White Acropolis, nice technobeat.

3: Eggman machine boss music, it has the nice medley of Eggman's theme worked in it.

4: Dusty Dessert. It has a nice rythym to it.
 

[azoo]

Day 23: Favorite 4 tracks from your top games.

 

Alright then. Let's do this.

 

(EDITED because the rules required no hubs. Well let me tell you, you dang crushy mcwhippernsipper, i do what i want when i want and you can't tell me i can't critique dem vidya *grumbling intensifies*) :V

 

 

 

5 ) Sonic Unleashed

(I really love that logo btw)

Unleashed has a really flavorful soundtrack, and that's where a lot of it's merit lies. The environments' art and their musical numbers mix so well together that there's no way I can forget them. So, which ones are my favorites from this game? It's a hard pick to make, but I'll try.

 

4. Shamar - Arid Sands - Night. This track is so catchy and just plain funky, man. I love the rhythm and soul in this track, it's unbelievable. And that sax is on top of things, I'm telling you. 

 

3. Adabat - Hub - Day. There's something so 'real' about this music. The instrumentation choices mixed with the setting just makes it feel like you are there. It's amazing how the pace doesn't fit the speeds Sonic is capable of and uses throughout the game, but it's so inviting and at the same time fitting. It works so well, and man it's just a joy to listen to it.

 

3. Adabat - Jungle Joyride - Day. Chosen since it's a really good song and I couldn't choose the hub. :v For real though, I love this track.

 

2. Chun-Nan - Dragon Road - Day. Fast, exciting and the authentic oriental sound just enhances it. It's got such a playful tone to it, while also sounding so, so so so smooth. And that part where the piano comes in is an earworm to be had for YEARS. 

 

1. Empire City - Skyscraper Scamper - Day. Holy CRAP. This song. Those breakbeats. Those strings and buzzy, booping synths. That sax-o-phooone. I not only get all kinds of old school SegaSonic vibes from this song, but it just gets me more hype than any other song in the game. Every sound in this track is just a wall of perfection warping around your headphones. Man, oh man. <3

 

Runner - ups: Literally every other song in this game. This whole game's soundtrack is a masterpiece. 

 

4 ) Sonic Advance

This game holds a dear place in my heart, and the music is one of the reasons why (as it would in a Sonic game). But there's something exceptionally unique about Sadv1.. it's really, really jazzy from beginning to end! Very smooth tracks all across the album, with amazing musical dynamics.

 

4. Ice Mountain Zone, Act 1. The melody in this track is so wistful, it just takes along on this floaty dreamscape-like journey. Hearing this music and seeing it along side the deep blues, purples, forest green and pristine white shown in the stage just feels amazing. For such a stage that you'd imagine to be a stress (what with the underwater section), this song really puts your mind beyond that.

 

3. Neo Green Hill Zone, Act 2. Smooth, sweet sounds. So inviting. Those funky little guitars and drums give it that fun feeling while the buzzy bass, lead and string synths give it this nice, calm feeling. The solo in the middle of the song breaks the song into an almost bossa nova track, and man it's just so great. I can imagine this (as well as act 1) actually being legit background music to the beaches of this zone, like playing through the speakers on walkways around the area.

 

2. Secret Base Zone, Act 1. My love for horns, breakbeats, keyboards and grooving melodies never ceases. I hum this song a lot. A lot a lot a lot. It's probably one of the most memorable tracks I can think of from the Adventure/Advance era. Also, dat organ's solo is beyond comprehension. It's outta sight man. Zoom.

 

1. Casino Paradise Zone, Act 1. Remember when I said this soundtrack was jazzy? Dude, you can't get much better than this one does. Filled to the brim with that scatacular feel and just feeling like a great time. That piano solo is so soulful I can't even begin to describe it. I would've never expected to hear that in a Sonic game, let alone a GBA title! 

 

Runner - ups: Casino Paradise Act 2 almost got 1st place but the first act had to win. Also, most tracks in this game are incredible. Hard to say of any that weren't fantastic.

 

3 ) Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Undeniably the best put together game in the series, this entire game is an epic from start to finish. Considering over half the album was constructed by Michael Jackson and his crew (albeit in secret) while the other half was all up to the amazing Howard Drossin, how could this album be any bad? That's right, it can't. :v

 

4. Hydrocity Zone, Act 2. Funkedy funk funk FUNK. It's oozing out the speakers. I love the first act for it's bluesy tinge, but this one is just so blood pumping. That triumphant chorus / bridge is just too much for me. It's just so melodic and beautifully constructed, even for being a "get your crap together and RUN" kind of song. Cuz I mean.. those synths. <3 I especially love remixes of this song, they always end up sounding fantastic. If I could've I would've put both Acts in one, here!

 

3. Ice Cap Zone, Act 2. Ice Cap as a whole is a bit of an overrated song, but I honestly find the atmosphere that Act 2 portrays to be so much more exciting than Act 1's. It's so.. hollow sounding. It intentionally is missing parts and yet it feels like it's still all there. It's got such a great sound; the way the instruments were chosen for this track to come in and out was ingenious, especially the entrance for the "unce unce unce" and the bass. 

 

2. Lava Reef Zone, Act 2 / The Hidden Palace. Okay so the atmosphere in this song is nothing short of awesome, and so are the melodic structures. It makes you feel like the game just changed tone a bit and slowed pace, because something serious was going down. It was arguably more captivating to me than Sky Sanctuary was (which didn't make it to this list ;<; gomenskysanctuary)

 

1. The Doomsday Zone. This short loop has got blood boiling so bad you have no idea. Okay.. maybe you do. Because I mean.. this song is piercing into your skull as the entire world's fate is in your hands and the ring counter is ticking downward. And man.. when that music speeds up you're pretty much in total panic mode. This song encaptures that feeling of "OH MY GOD ISHTS GOING DOWN" right at the endgame and I love it.

 

Runner - ups: Basically every bonus level in multiplayer mode. Those songs are amazing. Also, Launch Base, Mushroom Hill and Sky Sanctuary are kicking me in the head for not including them in this list.

 

2 ) Sonic Adventure

This soundtrack has more variety than you can shake a stick at. It features some of the series' richest melodies and greatest tracks, and I can't help but bring it up.

 

4. Red Mountain Act 2 - Red Hot Skull. This is such an infectuous track. That screaming sample. That honkytonk piano. That BANGING BEAT. Those roaring guitars. That grumbling bass. There is nothing about this track that doesn't get me grooving. I play this semi-regularly on my iPod when driving down the road in my car, because sometimes you wanna feel like you're a badass. :v Really, this song is the real deal.

 

3. Ice Cap Act 3 - Be Cool, Be Wild, Be Groovy. I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. Heavy, driving, unadulterated rock. Those wailing guitars and horn line together never sounded so sweet. And that drum beat really gets you pumped. My feet are thumping as soon as I hear this, and it makes the snowboarding section of Ice Cap a lot more fun than it actually is. To hear this song return in another game one day is my dream. Any way to replicate the awesome feeling of hearing it the first time. 

 

2. The Egg Carrier (Hub). That techno jazz feel this song has captures how I view Eggman perfectly. The many layers of sounds and eerie instruments roaming across the track while mixing with all the incoherent samples are just.. I don't know. It has this magic to it. It's like a dystopic robotic wonderland afloat in the midst of a thunderstorm. The soundscape this track leaves is unbelievable in how well it captures exactly what it was made for.

 

2. Twinkle Park, Act 2 - Pleasure Castle. Chosen because "no hubs allowed" (nyeh nyeh, nyeeeh). I do really love this song though, and I was planning on putting it in the top four anyways. Very nostalgic and I hold it close. <3

 

1. Speed Highway Act 3 - At Dawn. Pure bliss. Easily the most "classic Sonic" sounding track in the whole game. It's got this air to it, it's almost emotional the way it's written. (Not to mention the genrebusting in this is impressive.. soft rock / electro-disco mashed up sounds great.) It and the environment's colors and setting just send the whole package home. It's unreal how beautiful this song is. In fact, I think a bit of "It Doesn't Matter" is written into the bridge before the 'chorus'. If I had the ability, I'd point it out.. but man. This song. It's something else.

 

Runner - ups: As it's been, most of the tracks in here are of the highest quality. But some notable runnerups would be Station Square's theme, the Sonic pinball table in Casinopolis, the first part of Ice Cap, most of Twinkle Park and Egg Carrier's ocean theme.

 

1) Sonic CD (Japanese)

This soundtrack is remembered by many for having one of the best soundtracks in the whole series. In my opinion, it's definitely one of the best game soundtracks, period. 

 

4. Collision Chaos Zone - Good Future. Floaty house heaven. I feel as light as a feather when I hear this one. The perfect synths, lingering melody and bloopy whirry robotic sample sounds are so welcoming on the ears.

 

3. Wacky Workbench Zone - Past. Hectic and bouncy, and super catchy. It really does sound like a non-civilized, half-manufactured landscape that's going through major construction. The colors and environment really go together well with this one. And man those chord progressions are insane. How did Masafumi Ogata and Naofumi Hataya write this stuff?!

 

2. Stardust Speedway Zone - Bad Future / Metal Sonic Theme. The original track was already funktastic enough, and then you get to this one. It sounds like a party, but a dangerous one. Makes you want to be light on your feet and move very quickly. (It's either the guitar-strumming beginning or the vocalised "HUEHUEHUE" part in the middle is the funkiest bit in the whole song.) And when it gets to the part with the pad synth and the siren, the tone of the song for a bit seems really tense. Especially so when you're fight-racing Metal.

 

1. Quartz Quadrant Zone - Present. I don't know. I think this is probably one of my favorite video game songs ever. There's just so many things about it that make it so dang GOOD. I'm almost at a loss for words on why this one is so great, but its just got that feeling to it. I think the breakdown in the song is what turns it all the way up to "MAXIMUM GREAT", and it only keeps going from there. It's so triumphant, so beautiful, and so.. Sonic. I adore this track.

 

Runner - ups: I've said it for almost all of them, but ESPECIALLY this one has basically every track being incredible. SCD's JP soundtrack is worth all the praise it gets.

 

I really wish this wasn't just limited to your favorite Zone songs or top favorite Sonic games, because I could've gone on and on forever about these songs. This series has some amazing music, man.

[Dr. Crusher]

I really wish this wasn't just limited to your favorite Zone songs or top favorite Sonic games, because I could've gone on and on forever about these songs. This series has some amazing music, man.

 

As I've said before, the question originally did include other types of music, but that made the choices even harder for me when I was typing my own answers up, and I really didn't want other members to grow more impatient over waiting for the question. So I decided to keep it about level themes in order to make things easier for myself, as well as to make the subject a little more tidy.

[Rey Skywalker-Ren]

my top 3 favorite games and favorite songs

 

Sonic Generations (both console and 3DS)

-Chemicl Plant Zone (Classic) i like the extra beats add to the song. it was slow but it work with the zone

-Crisis City (both) i love the modern one for being fast and add fun to a boring stage. i like the classic one for being weird and fast.

-Rooftop Run (modern) i love that piano and its also fast and fun

-Radical Highway (both) i love this stage music and i love it in this game. its edgy to fit the stage.

 

Sonic Unleashed (Wii)

-Windmille iland (day) i love this song! its one of my favorite. i love it for the tone and the sounds. its fast and with the boost it feel awesome. it also have the calm feels to it so it feel like a small city. i just love it.

-Rooftop Run (night) i really love this song. when i hear it i think of do a spy mission. its really quit but it fits because you go on the rooftops without notice.

-Eggmanland (day and night) i love this one because of how fun it sound. the day version is fast and very intresting and the nighttme one is the same way. 

-Dragon Road (day) i love chinese sound music and i love this one. its funky fast and it gets me to go.

 

Sonic Colors

-Tropical Resort (act1) - i love the sound of this one. its smooth and fast and it make me love the stage alot.

-Sweet Mountain (act 1 and 3) - i really really love this one the most. its also fast pace and it really fit the stage. it feel like im at a ice cream place.

-aqurim park (act 3) - i really like this one because of the tones and te beats. its so intresting.

-Starlight carnival (act 3) - i love this because it have a mario galaxy feel to it. it make you feel like your in space and its so fun and it mach the coloful stage.

[C4k3]

Oh man, talking about Sonic music? Pull up a chair, we're gonna be here a while.

 

1) Sonic Generations

 

While technically they're all remixes of original song, they're too awesome to not classify as seperate tracks.

 

Song #1 - Modern Green Hill (Fast version)

Perfection in its highest form. Jun Senoue does the original song justice with this amazing remix. I love how there's a normal, slower paced version, and then when you reach maximum speed, the extra drums and faster guitar kicks in. Hnnnnnng <3

 

Song #2 - Classic Speed Highway

Time to hit the dance floor. I may not like Cash Cash's vocal songs, but they make some fantastic remixes. Extremely catchy song.

 

Song #3 - Modern Crisis City

Epic doesn't even describe this track. Those violins. Sounds a lot more dire and tense than the original.

 

Song #4 - Modern City Escape

Glorious. I'm glad that Ted Poley and Tony Harnell came back to reprise their roles here. And they sound just as great as they did over 10 years ago. The added 'It Doesn't Matter' segment in the song is just the icing on the cake.

 

 

2) Sonic Unleashed

Oh yes, one of my top favourite OSTs.

 

Song #1 - Rooftop Run (Day)

Probably my favourite track from this entire series. It blends violins and guitars so well together. Fast paced and upbeat. It's the perfect song for a perfect level.

 

Song #2 - Jungle Joyride (Night)

Man, all the night tracks are so chilling. The piano piano sounds amazing in this. A nice sunset and tropical scenery really makes this track come to life.

 

Song #3 - Arid Sands (Night)

Soooooooooooooo jazzy. 

 

Song #4 - Rooftop Run (Night)

This always sounded like something from a spy flick. Also, it's seriously one of the funkiest tunes to ever grace this series.

 

 

3) Sonic Heroes

AKA, Jun Senoue's collection of amazing music.

 

Song #1 - Egg Fleet

Guitars and drums. That is all.

 

Song #2 - Final Fortress

Dat bassline. Has a great atmosphere of "SHIT IS GOING TO GET REAL"

 

Song #3 - Seaside Hill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JBG5o6EkPo

It's been reused many times during recent years, but that doesn't stop me from being fond of it.

 

Song #4 - Rail Canyon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Sj7lwwDAM

Annoying level, but the music alone keeps me going.

 

 

Jeez... I think that's covered everything. And if you haven't noticed already, I'm a massive fan of guitars.

 

D'oooooooh, Youtube embedding is being silly...

[Pawn]

Discussing music is far from my specialty, but I'll do my best. These are probably the games that I've enjoyed most over the years:

 

Sonic 1

 

Green Hill - It's the Sonic level theme, a sweet little tune that is forever elevated by nostalgia

Marble - I love the variation in this one. It manages to portray the brighter outdoor sections with its lighter moments, while the rest gives off a deadlier air for the dungeon below

Spring Yard - Like Marble, I enjoy the ups and downs, but particular the former when those chime sounds come in

Star Light - A chilled out session is just what the hedgehog ordered after slogging it through the aptly named Labyrinth Zone

 

Sonic 3&K

 

Ice Cap - A unique approach to an ice level that became an instant favourite in my first playthrough. It really hammers home that you're travelling through a dark, lonely wonderland, deep into the mountains

Flying Battery - Holy shit, that's some sinister energy right there. It's a great feeling to be rolling up, down and all around to this one

Sandopolis - Act 2 is my preferred version, sounding as if it echoes off the walls, adding a spooky flavour to Act 1

Death Egg - This scary tune progresses faster than you dare tread, providing a great sense of foreboding as you move towards the exciting final act

 

Sonic Adventure

 

Azure Blue World (Emerald Coast) - A fantastic opening to 3D Sonic. Its enthusiasm is infectious to the point that I'd play the level just for the song

Twinkle Park (Pleasure Castle) - Much like the previous choice, it starts with a bang, not to mention as you hop into a rollercoaster

Speed Highway (At Dawn) - The intro really captures the feeling of opening the curtains to a beautifully sunny day. It's a shame that you don't hear it for very long

Red Hot Skull (Red Hot Skull) - You've got to love being flung straight out of a mountain romp and into this, feeling like you've just landed in a rocking vampire's lair

 

Sonic Adventure 2

 

Won't Stop, Just Go! (Green Forest) - Really gets the blood pumping as you race to get the hell off that island!

A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup (Pumpkin Hill) - That piano is so chill like ma main man Knuckles, but keeping in with the spooky atmosphere

Space Trip Steps (Meteor Herd) - A great composition for an emerald hunt in space. Those synthy sounds give me chills

Highway in the Sky (Final Rush) - Another thriller; I love that it switches back and forth between guitar and electronic sounds

 

Sonic Generations

 

Modern Chemical Plant - Such a surprise, this one. The guitar gives it a darker atmosphere, while bubbly sound effects and synthesiser notes reflect your surroundings

Classic Sky Sanctuary - It's a lot less bouncy than the Modern version, retaining the epic feel of the original and reflecting the sombre reality that the sanctuary is crumbling

Classic Crisis City - Probably the most unlike its original version, it almost feels like a brand new piece. The build up is brilliant and the pay off... Oh my god, the pay off is incredible

Modern Crisis City - This induces more panic than even Won't Stop, Just Go! The cycle between that sense of escalation and the sudden dip means experiencing that rising tension all over again

[Kiah]

There sure has been a lot of complaining in regards to this question for Day 23...and enough's enough with that. Just because this question requires you to use your thinking caps and actually forces you to take some time to put some genuine effort into your posts this time around does not mean that the question is bad or difficult even so please stop the complaining. Seriously, if Crusher can take all that time to create the question and answer the question appropriately then why can't we do the same? No one said that earning a badge would be smooth sailing the whole entire time for the event involved so just consider this question as an additional challenge for you to earn your prize. Usually earning something in general is never easy to do and this shouldn't be an exception to that.

There is also an issue of members still not following directions, and this is going to end up with members being disqualified for badges. If, for example, you are asked in a question to mention 3 of your favorite Sonic games, that does not mean that you mention just 1 and think that will suffice. It won't because that is not what the question required of you. Another thing is that if you are asked to mention again for example, your 3 favorite Sonic characters, don't ask if it's okay for you to mention 5. Just follow instructions and do what is asked of you, please. Nothing less and nothing more as all you are doing with these requests is complicating matters, even for yourself. Besides, why would you give yourself more work to do than what is asked of you anyway?

For the final 7 days of this event I don't want to see anymore complaining and I want the specific directions to be followed, which means to just answer the question so as you can earn your badge if that is what you are aiming for via your participation in this thread. Prove to me that we can go through this final week of this event without me or anyone else needing to make another "PSA". Please. And while I'm at it, this isn't up for discussion in this thread either. Especially since I'm really tired of talking at this point about things that everyone should know about already.

All things considered, let's just take the questions as they come from here on out and let's have fun wrapping this event up in the next week.

Anyway...

Day 23: Top FOUR Zone Music Themes for My Top 3 Sonic Games:

#3:

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I63MeBAao10-A catchy track that I like more than the original. The flutes give an Apotos vibe to it.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr_NAR5-L8s-This track with it's variety of instruments make it seem like you are travelling at high speeds a la adventure style.

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqkCTmhd1cg-This catchy wintry beat makes me want to dance in the snow-or something.

1. Tropical Coast Act 3 (Sea Bottom Segue)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmVOEV29bIk

This track is so beautiful and peaceful. Absolutely incredible. I could listen to this one for hours.

#2:

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1rV9kFs6I-This track is one of many from this game that is catchy and full of energy. Definitely made the level worth playing through despite the pain that it is due to getting to hear this track.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZH1o8N9PXU-This track is another one that is catchy and full of energy. I love the hip-hop beat to it as well as it definitely makes me want to dance.

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYxlqTpZ-24-When it comes to Classic Sonic tracks, this one takes the cake IMO as that beat is outstanding as well as nostalgic. Act 2 of Ice Cap Zone is incredible also.

1. Chrome Gadget Zone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LseIASl1Pbk

The multiplayer tracks in this game are all outstanding but Chrome Gadget is my favorite of them all. This catchy beat has a futuristic and competitive vibe to it and it is one of my favorite Sonic tracks of all time.

#1:

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEGro4NpgCg-Simply a beautiful and soothing track to ease the pains of playing Sonic in an underwater level. This track makes me think of an Underwater Chun-Nan

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF2KhTYb9VA-This track so so catchy! A perfect way to start off with what is my favorite Sonic game Soundtrack

2. Terminal Velocity Act 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QXHW8CYeFU

This track is incredible as that beat and guitar never fails to get my adrenaline going. It's a serious and intense track to portray an intense situation with Sonic running from the black hole that is enjoyable and fun to listen to as well.

1. Planet Wisp Act 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eODArFqHbf0

This has to be one of the most beautiful tracks that I have ever heard in my entire life. I remember the first time I heard it I felt like crying because it was so beautiful. I was totally mesmerized by it, totally amazed with the piano and bass together. I had listened to it over and over again for hours that night as I couldn't stop listening to it. I also enjoyed the Act 2 and Act 3 remixes of Planet Wisp as well as it is definitely the level in the Sonic series that has my favorite music.

And I am going to stop here after 3 games, because I have other things to do, like catch up on the tallying for everyone's participation in this event so I can give everyone their badges next week when this awesome event wraps up then.

[spinny]

3. SONIC GENERATIONS

 

4 - Rave Highway (iz acually Speed Highway Classic). The drum beats and synths in this one just scream classic Sonic techno style, I can't name one part of it I don't flat out adore.

 

3 - Chemical Plant Modern. A modern track that takes it ridiculously slow instead of ridiculously fast, and it does it really well! I like how unique and different it is from the source material whilst still being recognize and sync-able (unlike a certain other track... rooftop run classic yes im looking at you)

 

2 - Planet Wisp Classic. Yeah, I said it. I loathe it as a level, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the music track. It's a really nice callback to the Bad Future style Sonic CD had and reminds me of a lot of classic Sonic tracks, Scrap Brain and Metropolis especially. Really underlooked piece.

 

1 - Crisis City Classic. Nothing will ever top this track for me. It's more headbang worthy than any other track that's graced this series and I just love it for that. It's also really nice for Classic Sonic to get the heavy drum beats and shredding guitar for a change.

 

2. SONIC HEROES

 

4 - Bullet Station. I love the rock-techno feel this track has. It's an incredibly repetitive track, but that never stops me from loving it with all of my heart.

 

3 - Grand Metropolis. It's a very chillax theme in comparison to most city themes in this series, yet it still fits the level immensely. Very memorable as well, probably my most hummed Heroes track.

 

2 - Hang Castle (upside-down version). Funk, funk and even more funk. I love those distorted screams (I believe they're actually the very same ones from Get Edgy and Bomber Barbara, just butchered and cleaved to hell and back) and the supernatural instrumentation used provides for a very unique musical experience. All in all, I can't stop loving this track.

 

1 - Frog Forest. I loved this track before and always will love it. It's so relaxing after the hardcore action that occurs through Rail Canyon and Bullet Station's tracks, it feels like you need a nice long rest, and Frog Forest provides exactly that. It also helps how the actual level is a 100% grace as well.

 

1. SONIC RUSH ADVENTURE

 

4 - Machine Labyrinth. Not only is the rehash of Back 2 Back's (and Sweet Soul Brother's before that, mind you :U) "HEY" a nice (possibly unintentional) callback, but the melody itself is also incredibly catchy and dance-worthy. Those beats get me every single time.

 

3 - Pirates' Island. I love it for the very same reason I do Machine Labyrinth, that beautifully catchy melody and the drum beats. Not much more to say on this one, but I still love it nonetheless!

 

2 - Plant Kingdom. "POW POWWW SUE EVERYBODY-BODY WHOAAAAAAA" *cough* Yeah, I adore this track. It's probably one of my all-time favourite opening level tracks, too! It's a really nice way of yelling "it's a new ventu-- I mean, adventure".

 

1 - Blizzard Peaks. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THIS TRACK. The guitars the siren the drums the melody the everything I can't stop loving this track to death and M&S Sochi only made it even more betterrrrr!!!

 

----

 

Well... that covers my ear pleasure for today. Yes, I'm a fan of the funky stuff. :U

[Mr Loopone]

Question #23: What are your top FOUR zone themes for each of your top five/ten/three/etc games?

 

Hmmm...

 

Sonic Triple Trouble

 

Despite being my favourite Sonic game, it was hard to decide due to its PSG nature of the soundtrack making it even hard to write descriptions (it is basically a tone that pitches up or slightly down) and some of my favourite songs aren't the zone themes (2D Bonus Stage, Credits).

 

1. Sunset Park Zone Acts 1 & 2 - Since the most famous song from the game is more of a zoney bossy theme that might not count, actually in someways prefer the Australian sounding (well as much as it can get from a limited PSG soundchip) type even if I like both of them very well due to that its main melody of Act 3 gets cut out by the sound effects... Also for some reason try sing "Like Sonic the Hedgehog, dooo doo" at the small looping part.

 

2. Meta Junglira Zone - The longest track in the game and sounds tropical with various melodies in the song plus it is one of my favourite songs in the game for this reason. Again for some reason try sing "Just Sonic, the Hedgehog, dooo doo, Just Sonic the Hedgehog".

 

3. Robotnik Winter Zone - This song has plenty of energy and fitting for a snowy stage. Sadly the song is a bit too short in length (Sonic 4 length) though.

 

4. Tidal Plant Zone - This is starting to run dry at this point, the first stage was okay and Atomic Destroyer is a decent final stage however other Sonic games had done the first/final stage mechanic better so this was pretty much a default choice. It is energic yet has a sense of danger too.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog

 

1. Green Hill Zone -  Probably one of the most famous songs in the entire series considering the amount of remixes it got on later games and when people think of Sonic, they think of this due to easy to remember yet peaceful tune, being the first zone as well felt like Masato Nakamura put a lot of effort in the song and capturing the natural feeling but yet upbeat. It might be an unpopular opinion but I prefer the song when it is slowed down to 50Hz since not only was that how the music was played when I first enjoyed the game on my Mega Drive but also being slower means to take the time to appericate the melody and makes it more relaxing as a result.

 

2. Spring Yard Zone - While Green Hill might be the famous one, I actually prefer Spring Yard and is my favourite song in this game due to the beat and the jazzy like feel of the music (bearing in mind being tone deaf also means lack of music knowledge) being somewhere outside of an inner city. Unlike Green Hill though, I like both the 60hz and the 50hz versions of the track equally.

 

3. Labyrinth Zone - Disliking the zone aside, the music feels peaceful yet conflicting as you try to get air while avoiding spikes. Strangely it was the music that made me go through the zone (a similar stage to this in Taz: Escape from Mars with the looping waterslide made it feel worse due to the music selection).

 

4. Scrap Brain Zone - Thought about between this one, Marble and Star Light however chose this one since it felt fitting as Sonic has to stop the diabolical Dr. Robotnik with its maddening energy yet at the same time feeling like the end is near.

 

Sonic 2 - Probably the hard to choose from since I actually like most of the zone themes except Hill Top and Sky Chase.

 

1. Chemical Plant Zone - It is hard to explain why I like this, guessing that it fits the theme of the stage, has an element of danger and is catchy.

 

2. Aquatic Ruin Zone - Like Chemical Plant, find it catchy however also find it relaxing with an explory feel due to the multiple routes. For some reason it reminds me of aztec/inca mixed with TaleSpin especially the original demo version.

 

3. Casino Night Zone - Three favourite songs in a row? Well Casino Night is one where I like both the stage and the music. Just like the big band feel of the song and that it is catchy due to the Las Vegas theme of the stage.

 

4. Metropolis Zone - Many people don't like this zone at all however not only do I like it but also the music as well. It has that urban factory sound yet catchy, don't know what genre of music it is (something hip-hop?) though. Also like how they managed to sample a record into the song where it isn't common on the Mega Drive due to sound quality issues (some however take advantage of the sampling route such as the Tommy Tallarico, John Carehag and some games like The Hybrid Front).

 

Sonic CD (JP/EU due to more familar)

 

This is also a hard choice since I liked plenty of songs from the game and the approach of some of them like the Robotnik rap of Metallic Madness Present and Stardust Speedway as well (some liked the remixes better like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air type Tidal Tempest Good Future of the YM2612 remix) as the ones given below:

 

1. Collision Chaos Present - From the catchy start to the smoothness of the rest of the song, just like how the beat is repeated thoughout the song as well as reminding of both Spring Yard and Meta Jungrila in terms of the song and the stage.

 

2. Quartz Quadrant Bad Future - I really like the present song just as much but prefer the Bad Future remix since it is shorter and at a faster pace. Reminds me of Ratchet and Clank as well with that "Go get this thing" sample except Sonic CD came out much earlier than that game.

 

3. Wacky Workbench Present - It is hard to decribe why I like this song due to that the stage itself is disliked by many people but it does seem to fit with the going up and down theme of the stage where it is repetitive however not worn out repetitive. For some reason has a bit of a smooth spy feeling in the song.

 

4. Metallic Madness Bad Future - Really like that this song has a menacing feeling mixed with the catchy loop of the present feeling like Sonic has one more chance before he gets defeated. Also really like them "Mega Drive Bass of Metal" and "Sonic, Dead or Alive?" samples in the song as well.

 

Sonic Generations

 

This is harder than I thought since much of the songs that I really like have either already been covered with some minor instrument changes (Green Hill and Chemical Plant Classic) or not part of the main selection. Anyway:

 

1. Rooftop Run Classic - Probably my favourite song in the game since it sounds a bit classical and classy with its violins, can imagine this song being played somewhere in Europe whether it is in Catalunya (personal thought), Austria or even Northern Italy.

 

2. Crisis City Classic - A Sonic 06 song? While I haven't played Sonic 06 at all or even heard the soundtrack, the music seems fitting to an actively destroyed city making it sound menacing.

 

3. City Escape Classic - City Escape is one of the more known songs from Sonic Adventure 2 [first zone] and one of the songs that I like from that game, this remix is faithful to the original song (except the game doesn't have the woo, oh yeah bit) and has that early 2000s feeling of where people played a style of rock music like part of the skateboarding Tony Hawk generation in a San Francisco expy.

 

4. Planet Wisp Modern - A Sonic Colours song? Well considering that Seaside Hill reminds me of Sumo Digital - The Theme Song consider its appearance of Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing [it's a good song but reminded me of those games and put it in a different category] and Speed Highway Modern is a faithful remix to a stage that I can't remember very well. Like how peaceful and relaxing the song is with its partial greeny setting and that it is near the end of an adventure knowing that whatever happened is over (or half way in terms of the original game). While Planet Wisp isn't my favourite Sonic Colours song due to preferring Tropical Resort 1 and 3 as well as Asteroid Coaster 2 and 3, it is a good song and fitting.

[Junko]

Question #23: What are your top FOUR zone themes for each of your top five games?

-------------------------------

5.

-------------------------------

Pleasure Castle by Jun Senoue - ...for Twinkle Park, this track perfectly represents what the level is. The keyboard for this track presents the theme park/carnival atmosphere extraordinarily well.

 

Dilapidated Way by Jun Senoue - ...for Casinopolis, the bassline is what makes this track, pure and simple. So smooth yet understated behind the string instruments and rhythm guitar. The layers of this track are sweet.

 

Bad Taste Aquarium by Jun Senoue - ...for Hot Shelter, now the riffs in this track. Holy shit guys - fite me if you dislike this track. You can't ignore how excellent the riffs are for this track. Annnd them trumpets add just a subtle little touch which adds another dynamic.

 

Crank the Heat Up by Jun Senoue - ...for Final Egg, this is probably the same reason as Bad Taste tbh - just dem solos, dem riffs, the drum backbeat. Hnnng.

------------------------------

4.

------------------------------

What U Need (CD) by Hideki Naganuma - ...for Dead Line, this song I could just dance to mainly due to the dynamics and kinda... upbeat tone of the song.

 

Get Edgy (CD) by Hideki Naganuma - ...for Altitude Limit, Naganuma and his team of musicians really tried to make this instruments sound like guitars, and it sorta worked? But this is a great song nonetheless.

 

Jeh Jeh Rocket (Blazy) by Hideki Naganuma and Teruhiko Nakagawa - ...for Huge Crisis, bassline. That is all.

 

Right There, Ride On (CD) by Hideki Naganuma - ...for Leaf Storm, quote Get Edgy comment. Replace "sorta worked" with they knocked it out of the park.

------------------------------

3.

------------------------------

Sky Sanctuary Modern (Fast) by Jun Senoue - Now listen to this track and compare to the normal version. And realise how the extra instruments in this version liven the hell out of this track. The drum kit makes this track.

 

Crisis City Modern by Tomoya Ohtani - Drum & Bass - in MY Sonic game? Yes, and it works so damn well. This unexpected remix was and still is one of my favourite HD remixes. Hence it being on this list.

 

Planet Wisp Modern by Kenichi Tokoi - This is more of a remastering than anything but the bassline still holds true to the original song and the piano is as ethereal as ever.

 

Chemical Plant Modern by Jun Senoue - Definitely the most... different between the remix and the original, but the bass guitar and small electronic glitches in between make this track a great listen.

-------------------------------

2.

-------------------------------

Misty Lake by Jun Senoue - The violins in this track and the layered bass guitar slightly tethered more to the left side, make this one of my favourite Sonic level themes of all time.

 

Faraway Avalon by Jun Senoue - Again with the bass and violins, this time a little more lead guitar and some solos. Senoue really knew what he was doing with this soundtrack.

 

Camelot Castle by Jun Senoue - Okay, at this point, I remembered that these first three tracks I all love for the same reason, violins and guitars. Buuut, this has an extra special bit of wonderfulness at 0:40.

 

Great Megalith by Tommy Tallarico - Alright, somethin' a little different. This track is great because of those sweet, sweet trumpets in the track.

-------------------------------

1.

-------------------------------

Jungle Joyride Day by Tomoya Ohtani - This one has some instruments of which I'm not sure. But they work. And they work beautifully.

 

Crimson Carnival Day by Kenichi Tokoi - Okay, definitely the piano and keyboard here working in beautiful synchronous harmony.

 

Skyscraper Scamper Day by Fumie Kumatani - The drums and keyboard and the saxophone, well. I mean, they layer perfectly.

 

Cool Edge Day by Tomoya Ohtani - Ignoring the pun, Cool Edge has a pretty cool track. The lead and bass guitar working like your typical rock band and pulling it off with style and grace.

[Endy]

Adventure

 

1. At Dawn - Best. Song. Ever. Everything about this song is perfect. Composition is perfect, instrumentation is perfect, context is perfect. I love alll of it.

 

2. Be cool, be wild, be groovy (that snowboarding section) According to itunes I have listened to this song over 100 times...thats how much I love this song. I can't get enough of it.

 

3. Azure Blue World - Starts out soft, but progressively gets more crazy and fast and wit guitars and its just amazing in every way! Its a terrible shame you can complete the first section of Emerald Coast fast enough to even hear the last half of the song because thats what really makes it number 3 for me.

 

4. Tornado Scramble. This song makes me feel like cruising through the sky...during a thunderstorm. Don't ask.

 

CD

(this is all from the JP ost)

 

1. Tidal Tempest Present - Atmospheric perfection. The piano and the synthesizers are wonderful and the song feels kinda tragic in a way.

 

2. Quartz Quadrant Present - A perfect example of why I love CD's Japanese soundtrack. An upbeat song that can somehow blend in good atmospheric parts too.

 

3. Palmtree Panic Bad Future -  This song is awesome. It sounds like it would fit in a rave or a super hardcore nightmare.

 

4. Metallic Madness Present - This song is absolutely crazy, its madness! That voice is delightfully corny, and I love the part near the end where it gets even faster.

 

Unleashed

 

Its a shame you can't include hub music. Crusher, you evil, evil man....

 

1. Aria Sands Night. Its jazzy, upbeat and fast, its everything I like. Admittedly it doesn't really fit the setting but its still sooo amazing.

 

2. Skyscraper Scamper Night. Waaaay too catchy! This would be my number 1 except that its the shortest level theme in the game.

 

3. Dragon Road Night. Fantastic piano in this song, and the other instruments are fantastic.

 

4. Jungle Joyride Night. I love how calm, and somber it sounds. Its a nice contrast from all the faster level themes in the game.

[Gabz Girl]

Here's mine~

4. Meteor Herd (Space Trip Steps) HNNNNGGG. The beat is awesome, the lyrics are funky and I love the voice sample and...everything! This song is perfect, and the song itself really does sound like you're floating in space.

3. Final Chase. Awesome techno/electro music that suits the stage really well, not to mention those interesting yet hard to comprehend lyrics.

2. Metal Harbour. It's a short stage, but the music is ass kicking guitar and the part where the rocket launches and you let go and go through the tunnel on a board is just amazing. I love it!

1. Escape from the City! It's my favourite opening stage in a Sonic game and also my favourite music in a Sonic stage! The lyrics are great and it's such a catchy song, you can't help but sing along to it!

4. Angel Island Zone Act 2. Really like this version of the song. It sounds so tropical and upbeat.

3. Launch Base Zone Act 1. Super catchy music and very Michael Jackson-esque with the go go go vocals.

2. Marble Garden Zone Act 2. One of the most underrated stages in the game and the most underrated music too! The beat is fantastic and so synthy, love it. But not as much as...

1. Hydro City Zone Act 2. Fast paced, exciting and just great music for a great level!

4. Red Mountain (the underground part) it's awesome. Nuff said. Lovin' the screaming sample, reminds me of Cyprus Hill.

3. Speed Highway (dawn) I really like the speedy stuff at the beginning, but sometimes you need something more peaceful and nice, and this tune is exactly that. Juxtaposed a bit with the speeding cars and police monkeys BUT still a great tune nonetheless.

2. Ice Cap (first act) Most people mention the snowboard part, but I actually like the music at the beginning of the stage more! Like Soeed Highway's dawn part, the music here is so relaxing and lovely to listen to that it's a shame it's only heard for about 20 seconds before you enter the cave.

1. Emerald Beach (the cove) Jun Senoue's guitar in this song is amazing! I love the more 80's sound it has and how the song sounds more gentle and relaxing than the version heard at the beginning of the stage.

As you can tell, I mostly like the chilled out, slow tunes in Sonic games. XP

[Dr. Homem]

No particular order for the games... I originally wrote a very long post detailing why I liked each song for five games, but the page bugged out and I lost everything, so I'm going for a brief version.

 

Sonic 1

 

4. Green Hill - Catchy, upbeat, positive. Can't go wrong with the beggining.

3. Star Light - A strangely calm theme for the second to last level (you'd expect it to keep building up to the end) but a nice one.

2. Labyrinth - Labyrinth Zone was a challenging level, which calls for an appropriately atmospheric theme.

1. Scrap Brain - Proof that Sonic 1's music is generally more melodic than most other games in the series. It's sinister and evil (as it should be), and at the same time catchy and swell.

 

 

Sonic Generations

 

4. Modern Seaside Hill - The Heroes version was already good, but this is even more energetic. Mixing both Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace in the same song is what really gives it value as a remix.

3. Classic Speed Highway - Plays with the style instead of simply making it sound like the older games - like the classic remixes should be.

2. Modern Chemical Plant - On the opposite side, a good example of a modern update. Chemical Plant was my favourite song in Sonic 2, and the fast paced rock makes it fresh and lively.

1. Modern Rooftop Run - Also an update to a song I already liked, but more festive like others have mentioned, making the level incredibly fun to play through.

 

 

Sonic Unleashed

 

4. Cool Edge Night - I loved how it created a raw, but fitting atmosphere, especially if this is the last level you play before Eggmanland.

3. Jungle Joyride Night - Similar to the above. The use of violins to compose the ominous theme is very apt.

2. Rooftop Run Day - Splendid theme, like I already mentioned in the Generations section. Excellent use of different instruments to create one of the most energetic and happy themes in the series - and happy, melodic songs are exactly what I expect from Sonic since day one.

1. Eggmanland - Not everything has to sound happy, especially when it comes to the man himself. Fantastic theme; from the start it screams "Hey, Eggman has finally managed to build his utopia. This is the culmination of events that go way back."

 

 

Sonic 3&Knuckles

 

4. Sky Sanctuary - A powerful change from the continuously more ominous themes of the previous levels: all of a sudden, it comes back with an heroic, triumphant music.

3. Death Egg - The ideal base music. It works well to build up to the bosses later on.

2. Lava Reef - Mostly because it fits the level really well. You're on a dangerous place where a misstep can result in death. The theme reflects that ingeniously.

1. Launch Base - Top notch song. Despite being technically the middle of the game, it's climatic, and also funky, groovy, and Eggman-y.

 

 

Sonic 2

 

4. Hill Top Zone - This is a curious theme, appropriate for its peculiar level, but one I have a strange taste for.

3. Metropolis - Mechanical and futuristic, may be a result of my love for science and technology based levels in general. It's well composed either way.

2. Wing Fortress - Like Sky Sanctuary, it feels majestic. I believe that's to represent the triumph of being able to catch up to Eggman and put a stop to his plans.

1. Chemical Plant - Well of course! This is one of, if not the catchiest, most memorable and fun theme in the series. It deserved to be at the top spot.

[Jolt_TH]

Day 23

 

Curse you Crusher, your not Eggman...your MUCH worse!! D:

 

ok so in NO particular order:

 

Sonic & Knuckles

 

1) Flying Battery Zone

The music of this zone really pumps you up and fits with the speed of the level itself, being Eggman's flying base of operations it has a slight mechanical tone to it aswell. The tune and the melody fit really well despite contrasting, thats what makes it so good.

 

2) Lava Reef Zone

Mostly Act 1 for this one as Act 2 is quite different. The theme here really gives me the feeling of a buildup, plus it gives the slight feeling of isolation, which Sonic really is, down in the depths of the active volcano on Angel island, being attacked by Eggman's badniks  and having to survive the journey through the treacherous caverns that make up the zone. The music really puts this feeling across to the audience. The unerlaying repeating tune is really catchy and the much higher in tone melody that goes over it makes the level music really stand out.

 

3) Eggman Boss Theme

I don't know if this counts because it isnt a level theme per se, but you do hear it at the end of each zone and it can go on for a while. Anyway I really love this theme in the game, everytime im playing the game muted I will purposefully grab headphones just so I can listen to the music when I fight good ol Robuttnick. The notes in the tune sound almost corrupted and deep, really fitting with Eggman and his capture of animals and corruption of nature. Its possibly my favorite boss theme of the entire classic triolgy.

 

4) Sky Sanctuary

This is the bread and butter of this game musically, seriously. The theme, while upbeat and blood pumping seems to have an underlaying message of "hurry up!" and warning of danger. it fits absolutely perfectly with the setting and situation, Sonic, thousands of feet in the air, chasing down the Death Egg as it escapes into the upper atmosphere. You can feel the tension, it gets your heart pumping, you know something big is coming, you know this is it. considering the actual musical composition itself the melody is the star of the show here feeling very airy and light with all the high notes mesh really well with the slightly lower and more earthy tune in the background. this is possibly my favorite tune in the ENTIRE series, only one theme has challenged it for the top spot.

 

Sonic Adventure

 

1) Azure Blue World - Theme of Emerald Coast

This theme is great for the first level, fresh and bright, it helps cement the feeling of a brand new adventure. I can almost feel like im on a beach while im listening to this.

 

2) The Air - Theme of Windy Valley

A lovely remix of Green Grove from 3D Blast Flickies Island (the best name dammit!). again this theme feels very airy and light wiht the electric guitar really fitting in well with the trumpet sounds at the beginning of the song. A really lovely tune.

 

3) Sky Deck A GoGo! - Theme of Sky Deck

my favorite theme from Adventure by far. Sky Deck's theme really feels exciting and yet dangerous, the wailing guitars really make it feel like an Eggman base, but also adding the thrill of being up high in the air. He knows you are there and you are trying to reach him. the theme has an amazing riff that I just love too!

 

4) Mechanical Resistance - Theme of Final Egg

This is the best theme for Final Egg, sure Crank the Heat up is good too, but Mechanical Resistance really fits with the dirty industrial look and feel of the place, it makes it feel like you are breaking in and sneaking around rather than going in all guns blazing.

 

Sonic Unleashed

 

1) Windmill Isle Day

Again like Emerald Coast this is a really nice theme to start of an adventure, I like how this theme sorta builds up, starting with just the beat then adding a tune and then the melody before introducing the violin aswell. its just a really happy and relaxing song to listen to.

 

2) Dragon Road Day

I love the oriental theme of this tune and how they mixed oriental instruments with other instruments too. I can't really say music about why I love this song, i just do, its really good composition wise and the piano(?) that plays the majority of the melody mixes really well with the other instruments they use like violin and a xylophone.

 

3) Rooftop Run Day

this song...man what is there I even need to say about this song? This is the ONLY song that matches Sky Sanctuary for me. The violin, the guitar, the melody, it all meshes 100% utterly and absolutely perfectly. I can find literally no faults in this piece of music, its upbeat, its exciting, it just makes you want to run!

 

4) Crimson Carnival (Day for Wii version)

This theme I feel really encompasses Eggman, much like the level itself. using lots of electronic sounds and synths it honestly feels dangerous and life threatening but there are some parts of the tune that genuinely feel fun. I do think it sort of sounds like a fun fair or a carnival but does have a very evil sorta vibe to it.

 

Sonic Generations

 

1) Sky Sanctuary Zone Act 2

Not really much else to say about this, than what I said before. i love the updated electric guitars and think they fit really well.

 

2) Stardust Speedway (JP/EU)

My favorite piece from Sonic CD remastered in HD...yes please! I really adore the redone version of this tune, the piano really fits for the melody while the moody organ mixes well and creates an atmosphere unlike any other. the sirens really do fit well, and the little vocals as well do not seem out of place. A genuine gem of a tune.

 

3) City Escape Act 1

I really love this remixy style, which is strange as im not usually one for remixes, it gives the tune a certain appeal and does fit really well with the original tune. plus the mystic cave parts included really do fit incredibly well, also the instrumental section in the middle is a part i especially love

 

4) Seaside Hill

I was quite a fan of the original version of this song and this version isnt changed that much, the main change is the inclusion of the Ocean Palace theme, making this more of a Seaside Palace theme (Ocean Hill?), but really shows how the two themes, although different, really do integrate well.

 

Phew. that took me long enough! time to play some ga....oh is that the time, time to go to bed then

[Nepenthe]

Question #23: What are your top FOUR zone themes for each of your top five/ten/three/etc games?

 

Note #2: I'm talking mainly about themes for "full" zones/levels. So tracks like Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Death Egg or Sonic Advance's X-Zone tragically don't count.

 

Note #3: Hub music also doesn't count. Because I'm a horrible person.

 

 

Anyway, I'll do three games- one from each Sega-defined era- since I'm running low on time and I've got two huge-ass soundtracks to narrow down (yae procrastination!) So first--

 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3:

 

1. Hydrocity Zone- I much prefer Act 2 to Act 1 for the increase in tempo, the better beat, and the melody that occurs after the bridge also being much, much better than in the first act, but both of them are top tracks in their own right.

 

2. Chrome Gadget- If Hydrocity didn't exist, this would be my top Zone song in the game. It's fast-paced, has a memorable melody to it that does really well in exemplifying the weird, electrical aesthetic of the place you're racing in.

 

3. Marble Garden- Marble Garden's a kind of fun, catchy theme with a cool beat you can easily bob your head to, a chill song distinctly lacking the gimmicks that make me not care for Carnival Night and Launch Base so much.

 

4. Desert Palace- I mean, come on. Desert Palace is just so cute. Perhaps a little repetitive, and I tend to forget the last bit all the time, but it brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it anyway.

 

Also, huge shout out goes to the Mid-Boss Theme, which I will forever contend is literally the best song in the entire franchise. 

 

 

SONIC ADVENTURE

 

1. Tornado Scramble- I mentioned before in the Underrated Gems thread that this song is great because, due to its melody and instrumentation, it sounds exactly like something that could've come from a classic Sonic game. Rarely mentioned anywhere, but it still gets props from me.

 

2. Twinkle Park- Specifically Twinkle Cart and Twinkle Circuit being the standouts; the former is built well on a tune so cool they just basically remixed it wholesale (I really like Puppet Panic), and while Twinkle Circuit's got a nice, fast-paced-synthesized feel built for racing, the sly, yet cool "It Doesn't Matter" sample in there also helps in setting the tone.

 

3. Speed Highway- I'm specifically referring to Run Through the Speed Highway and even Goin' Down?! The high-tempo rock music blaring as you drop down a ridiculously near-vertical stretch of road that appears almost out of nowhere is probably the only reason this stage exists in Generations. Goin' Down?! is cool for that sudden blare of a high-pitched synthesizer before the song regains some control through its electronic beat; it matches perfectly the feeling one gets when they play the window section for the first time.

 

4. Tricky Maze- The only song in the Lost World level I outright love. Slowly paced, but more classically orchestrated and with a nice chorus to boot, it really hammers home both an adventurous and grandoise theme for this lost civilization.

 

 

SONIC UNLEASHED

 

1. Arid Sands Night- Sega mentioned before that Unleashed was taking cues from Pixar films, and I feel this song is most representative of that. The night-time jazz here defined by the saxophones sounds exactly like something Michael Giacchino could've composed for The Incredibles. Underrated but awesome song.

 

2. Skyscraper Scamper Day- Speaking of saxophones, holy hell! That solo blaring in the beginning alone puts it on my list. While most of the other day themes feel to me more like upbeat Sunday strolls, this shit sets you up for a real race.

 

3. Rooftop Run Night- Rooftop Run Night is awesome not only because it's led by a great funk guitar, but because the composers said "Fuck you, we're going to use an accordion." And not only does the accordion not annoy me, but it adds well to the groove and aesthetic of the song.

 

4. Cool Edge Night- Probably the most beloved night theme, and for good reason: it's got a groovy tempo, and is a little old school in its charms, that makes it really easy listening. It's probably the song you could get away with most with listening to out on the street.

[The Deleter]

Day 23: list #249 of favorite Sonic things

 

#5. Sonic Adventure

 

Final Egg part 1 - This track is just full of Eggman-y goodness, and an instant classic in my book.

Fire Mountain part 2 - While eerie, this track is gritty to the max and twice as funky. Plus the little saloon piano in the middle of it is just so random, its hilarious.

Windy Valley part 2 - Sonic Blast remixes ftw.

Speed Highway at Dawn - So tranquil. So peaceful. So good.

 

#4. Sonic Unleashed

 

Abadat Night - Again, a really peaceful and beautiful tune in a Sonic game.

Rooftop Run - Just a really fun tune that reminds me of a party.

Cool Edge - I don't have much to say about this one, but I like it nonetheless.

Savanna Citadel - Best track in the whole game. The beat, the guitar, everything about screams high-speed action in the savanna.

 

#3: Sonic Colors

 

Planet Wisp - Peaceful and tranquil while at the same time upbeat enough to be a Sonic level, this is one of the most beautiful BGM in the Sonic series.

Tropical Resort - Mmmm those are some funky beats for a level based around malls and hotels.

Asteroid Coaster act 2 - Dat background guitar. Nothing more needs to be said.

Terminal Velocity - This plays while you're running from a collapsing amusement park, a giant floating mech, and later on, a miniature black hole. Words cannot describe how awesome this track is.

 

#2. Sonic Adventure 2

 

Security Hall - Actually, I don't remember this one that well, but I'm drawing a blank on memorable- *escape from the city pops up* /good/ memorable songs from this game. *shoves EftC back into its hole* Still, from what I recall, it's a really nice jazzy tune.

Green Forest - Perfect song to go with the suspense that the island will blow up if you don't get off of it on time.

Radical Highway - Eh, this one technically might not count, since I hate it sometimes, but other times, I can't help but love it.

Metal Harbor - Just a really fun tune to bounce around to, and contains a perfect mixture of Electric guitars and trumpets.

 

#1. Sonic Lost World

 

Desert Ruins act 1 - Probably the best desert theme in the whole series. Dem horns.

Silent Forest act 2 - While the first part of this track has an excellent accordion, the second part of the track adds some stealthy strings to it, changing the mood for the level appropriately. Man, why can't more games do stuff like this?

Sky Road act 1 - Upbeat and in the clouds, this track is the bees' knees when it comes to fun tracks.

Lava Mountain act 3 - Who knew dubstep could be used in such a good way? The wub-wubs in this track add intensity and an edgy feel to what would otherwise would be a bland Bowser theme rip-off, and they do it well. Stamp of approval for most climatic Sonic zone song in the series.

 

Day 23: Complete

[The Pit of Mystic Cave]

Sonic Generations

-Chemical Plant (Classic): It keeps pretty much all the elements of the original intact, while adding a bit of a gloss on everything. A really groovy song and very exciting to listen to.

 

-Sky Sanctuary (Modern): The intro to this song leaves me breathless every time. It's so high energy in the beginning, and it quickly backs off into the triumphant Sky Sanctuary melody we loved in S&K (at least when it wasn't fucking itself over with it's unnecessarily high pitched synth noises).

 

-Stardust Speedway Bad Future (JP): A game like this is hard to talk about music-wise, considering it's all remixes of previous songs, but I love any rendition of this song. Some people say it's too mellow for a boss track, but to me, this will always be Metal Sonic's theme.

 

-Green Hill Zone (Modern): This is the way a remix should be. It immediately rekindled my love for the original tune when I first heard it, and I believe this is the remix Sonic Team put the most heart into.

 

Sonic Adventure

-Funky Grooves: A very short and repetitive song, but i sing it in my head constantly.DAT BASS! 

 

-Lazy Days: My ultimate guilty pleasure. I love this song because it makes me happy, simple as that. Also, it's one of the more rhythmically intense songs on the whole soundtrack, especially during the piano solo.

 

-The Air: Another remix! This made me grin like a madman as a child when I first heard it because I immediately recognized it from another Sonic game, which was something very new to me as a kid.

 

-Open Your Heart: Sorry Live and Learn, but this is my favorite Crush 40 song. It's definately one of the more sinister sounding Crush 40 songs, and the guitar solo is excellent.

 

Sonic 3 and Knuckles

-Hydrocity Act 2: I love this song for many of the same reasons I love Chemical Plant. It's just so high-energy and up-tempo. A perfect Sonic song if there ever was one.

 

-Fling Battery Act 2: There is so much going on in this song. It's a joy to tear apart and listen out for things you might not catch the first time. The low voices in particular are easy to miss.

 

-Sandopolis Act 1: I love Sandopolis almost solely for its music. This is a very involved song, and an absolute joy to tear apart. There are so many counter melodies at work and each "instrument" has its moment to shine at one point or another. The way they end their melodic phrase and immediately pass it on to the next "instrument" makes it particularly immersive, for me at least, and as far as 16-bit songs go, this is definitely one of the more interesting.

 

-Doomsday Zone: My favorite final boss theme of any video game ever. It's the kind of song that can make you sweat just by listening to it, especially with the stereo effects it has going for it. It's hard to tell when it's on a television, but I highly recommend looking up a version to listen to with headphones. There are a lot of really interesting tings going on between the right and left channels.

 

 

NOTE: The songs are ranked in no particular order, which might be cheating, but I don't care.

[Indigo Rush]

Okay... my post is incoming. It's open in another tab... but I don't think it'll be finished before the next question. So I'll update an impersonal list first, and then I'll update it as it comes.

[Komodin]

Question #23: What are your top FOUR zone themes for each of your top five/ten/three/etc games?

… Whoa. You want my four favorite themes from each of my favorite Sonic games? Okay, this is gonna be a relatively long one. For the purposes of this question and my personal preferences for streamlining, I will just list the four favorite themes from my top three games.

3) Sonic and the Secret Rings

 

1. Let The Speed Mend It (Sand Oasis) - I’ve already gushed about this song in particular, but for those who’s just hopping on board: this is simply one of my favorite music tracks in the series. Listening to it always fills me up with that get-up-and-go energy and drive to get things done, you know. It's something that really speaks me in a way that not many other first stage themes do. It's to the point that whenever I think of Secret Rings, instead of Seven Rings in Hand, I immediately think back to this song. It’s just that good to me, you see.
2. Unawakening Float (Night Palace) - This is also an excellent track -- for a giant Arabian castle set in the dead of night, a rockin guitar is very much fitting for it. As final level tracks go, this is almost certainly one of the better one, if you ask me.
3. The White of Sky (Skeleton Dome) - As Sonic tracks go, this is one of the more unique ones. In fact, it kinda reminds me of some of the level music in Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, a game that I very much treasure. It lowkeyness is certainly fitting for a mellow stage like this, at any rate.
4. The Lost Prologue - Perhaps it’s just me, but I really like how atmospheric this track sounds. It comes across as being rather serene… yet somewhat unerring in its presentation. It’s very fitting for the stage considering that Sonic’s entering into a world that’s really like no other.

2) Sonic Generations

 

1. Crisis City, Classic - As far as Sonic Generations’ remixes go, this is my favorite track in the entire game. An electric guitar remix of an already excellent song, it’s its original piece near the end that rockets it to the top for me. The first time I heard this song in its entirety, that part came out so suddenly that I audibly gasped before I cried tears of joy. It’s that good a track!
2. Seaside Hill, Modern - This is probably my favorite remix of Seaside Hill in this entire series. It’s an awesome remix of both the original Seaside Hill and its second act, Ocean Palace, that complemented each other excellently. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that this track is what made me love Seaside Hill as a stage again.
3. Crisis City, Modern - Ah, yet another awesome remix of Crisis City, this time using a blend of violin and guitar to make something magical. I also loved how it incorporated all four of the level tracks from the original Crisis City and its variable mix use in the actual level itself. Between this and its Classic remix, as well as the actual stages, a far as I’m concerned, Crisis City as a concept was pretty much redeemed for me.
4. Sky Sanctuary, Modern - This song… ahhh! An excellent remix to an awesome song that seems to get overlooked on that front, every time I listen to it, I can’t help but feel completed uplifted by how lighthearted and optimistic it sounds. It’s like, by just listening to it, you can tell that everything’s gonna be alright.

1) Sonic Unleashed

 

1. Arid Sands, Night - Out of all the excellent level tracks that this game has to offer, this is pretty much one of the best, in my humble opinion. A slower-paced song, it takes the typical deserty theme and jazzes it up exponentially, making something truly amazing in the process. In fact, out of all the desert level tracks that this series has had over the years, this is almost definitely the best of them. Every time I play this game, I always make an active effort to go to Shamar’s hub at night and listen to the entirety of this at least twice.
2. Skyscraper Scamper, Night - Considering that I already love Empire City bunches due to it basically being New York City in Sonic’s Earth, one can tell that I would also love this track a whole lot. A lovely 1940’s-ish jazzy piece, it gets me pumped to explore the sky-piercing rooftops of Sonew York as the Werehog. Even with some of the more tricky puzzles in the main act, listening to this play makes every run-through completely worth it.
3. Tornado Defense, Act 2 - Out of all the Tornado stages that this series has seen over the years, this one is my absolute favorite. What I just love in particular was how dark and ominous it sounds, setting the scene for the marathon endgame that was Eggmanland. Speaking of Eggmanland...
4. Eggmanland, Werehog - As awesome as the Sonic track is, it’s the Werehog theme that I always gravitate back to. A slower paced version of Sonic's Eggmanland theme, it has a certain "spy"-like theme going on that just keeps me pumped to infiltrate the base and take down both Eggman and Dark Gaia once and for all. As final area themes go, this is also the one of the best that this series has ever seen so far.

[Kaabiitorori]

Day 23: Top 4 Favourite Songs From Your Favourite Sonic Games

The music is, without a doubt, an incredibly huge part of the series. So much that from the very first game that started it all displayed an incredible range of tracks with so many genres and influences. They are by all means incredible to listen to, as much that picking up a favourite or even multiple ones could be quite a hard task. So, here goes my list...
 

 

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

Being my all-time favourite classic Sonic game, Sonic 3 & Knuckles spawned a really good arrangement of songs. As many already know, the notable involvement of Michael Jackson in the composition of Sonic 3 helped craft very characteristic tracks and even reminiscent of what the King of Pop would have created. My Top 4 favourite songs for this game are...

4. Hydrocity Zone - The fact this song is so funky and with an incredible beat that's so pleasant to hear makes your playthrough of this water level so easy going.

3. Ice Cap Zone - A classic by many, the beat blends so well with the icy hollow atmosphere of the level.

2. Lava Reef Zone - I like this one for its awesome beat and it suits the lava stage well.

1. The Doomsday Zone - A frenetic track for a frenetic final stage.
 

 

Sonic Colors

My second favourite modern Sonic game and also second Sonic game of all-time featured very fine work by Tomoya Ohtani and co., much like a great amount of their other soundtracks of the modern series. Sonic Colors was a joy to play and listen too, and therefore I can list my Top 4 here...

4. Asteroid Coaster - This tack gives me some Adventure vibes while playing quite an exciting level of this game.

3. Sweet Mountain - Fast paced and James Bond-esque to an extent.

2. Planet Wisp - Mellow and peaceful, but with a great upbeat tune to it. Pleasant to listen while passing through the grassy plains of this world.

1. Aquarium Park - The best song in Sonic Colours by far! Love the Japanese inspiration and I like how the music sounds when you go underwater.
 

 

Sonic Adventure 2

Keeps being my all-time favourite Sonic game to this day, including the soundtrack composed by Jun Senoue and his team. While some could argue the amount of rock music featured in the game, no one can ever doubt how amazingly crafted they are; besides, the rap and smooth jazz tracks of Knuckles and Rouge stages are also very pleasant to listen. So, my Top 4 goes to...

4. Radical Highway - Love the fast pace of this song and the mysterious sounding and sudden base drop.

3. Metal Harbour - Fast paced action and that guitar in the entire song makes this stage sound really awesome.

2. Green Forest - Upbeat and frenetic. Pretty much captures the concept of this level.

1. City Escape - The most recognisable music in the game, as much that singing it while playing this level is certainly unavoidable.

[Tori Himemiya]

PRESIDENT CROW'S DAY 23 OF METAL!

Well CROW is going straight to point by mentioning his favorite Sonic game only.

Sonic Adventure 2!

So top 5 songs of that will be...

Honorable mention! I am a Spy (Security Hall)!

So we all know Rouge is a government spy but she does claim that she's also a treasure hunter too and I feel like this theme embodies Rouge pretty well. It shows a lot of sass and feels like something from the 70s/80s which is pretty neat.

Number 4! Trespasser (Lost Colony)!

While this piece is rather quiet, it has quite the ambiance to go with this unawakened space colony. It gives the player an idea of a mystery going on but its a very powerful mystery that Eggman will want to take advantage of. It fits the mood pretty well.

Number 3! Deep Inside (Cannon's Core 3)!

Cannon's Core is an intense level, mostly of what Sonic and friends have to stop. And so after getting help from his friends, Sonic runs off to get to the center of the ARK to stop the world's destruction. This song not only feels intense but it also gives a feel of Sonic's sense of heroism and tenacity. Its a pretty cool song to say the least.

Number 2! The Supernatural! (Final Chase)

Shadow goes off to chase Sonic after learning on how he survived his ordeal. He does go through a strange level that involves a lot of gravity loops and meteors. This music is more fit for a rave than anything but given the title of the theme its supposed to sound strange I suppose. But because its just so fit for a rave is the reason why I love it so much.

Number 1! Unstable World! (Crazy Gadget)

I was originally gonna pick Radical Highway but going through the OST I kind of like Crazy Gadget's theme more so I'm going with it. So this theme picks up when Sonic goes into space to defeat Eggman but he holds Amy hostage, leaving Sonic to skip the main mission to save her. And so this theme really does fit the situation. Firstly it sounds awfully like its in space which is our setting right now. Second the theme also represents that our hero has been tricked and has to save his friends but he obviously need to hurry. And it does seem very erratic which is another thing fitting about as the gravity changes a lot in this stage. And finally the theme also kind of represents Eggman as its a bit heavier than usual Sonic stages and it feels like Eggman is just sitting there waiting for you in a sense. The only reason why I picked this over RH is because of how fitting it is to everything about Crazy Gadget and so there you have it. UNTIL NEXT TIEM SSMB!

[azoo]

Just realized that the rules said no hubs allowed. Well, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Stages are stages, man. Those are adventure stages. :v

 

Man i put a lot of effort in my post and i dont wanna redo it I worked hard over the stove for that one fdshfj ;<;

[Indigo Rush]

I feel ya. Some of my honorable mentions are from some of the spin-offs that don't have "proper" levels... 

 

It's a shame though. The hub music in most Sonic games are really awesome.

[Dr. Crusher]

Don't mind this post. It only exists so that Indigo can finally make his big post.

 

He better not fail me again.

[Indigo Rush]

Crusher, you awesome son of a gun <3

 

THIS IS MY BRAIN ON SONIC

 

 

THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT MY PAST DAY WAS LIKE

 

 

 

Pray tell, SSMB...

 

ḧ͎͎̥͛̈̓͟a͇̖̮̩̲̲̫ͯ̉̎ͨv͕̻̙̫̟̖͔͗e͚̱̮͋̓͆̎́ͣ̎ͅ ̳̭̓ͭͤ͊͜i͑ ̭̟̤̦̉͑e̲̯̘̮̲͒v̸͌e̞̬͓̻̮̺̎̏͌ͅr̵̞͈̩͇ͪ̋̿ͤ͒ͬ ̡̌͌ͮ͆͛̍́t̬͍oͤ̃̔͑͠l̗͍͖̿̔́d̮̓͋̒ ̢͕̹̻͉ͅy̢͍̲̯͉͇̹ͩo̮̙ͮ̊͆͊ͣ̅͗u̥̠̙̫̮̬͆̏̈̚ ̹̰͎̿̌̓̇̔̔ͬt͑͐͋ͭ̐̈̍h͓̤̤̠͖͛̊̎̽̚ͅȅ͇̗̣͔͖̯ ͙̤̘̣̟̺ͪ̉̾d̢͚̘́e͕͗f̗̥̦̝ͪͧͣ͗i̲͖̙̥̟͑́ͣͥ̈́ͥ̃͘n͕̿̾͌̓î̞͚̰͔̐t́ͤͦ̿̒̒i̷͍̲ọ̞̭ͫ̓̽͝n̬̱̠̼̦͉̱̈́̏ͦ̚͘ ̭̪̞͉̳͖̀̆ͦo̩͎̻͔͎̎͛f̳̪̫͕̳̎ͨ͋̏͠ ͈̬̝i̔ͬ̾̓̅ͮ̑҉̘̬̯̣ňͦ̾ͬ̓͞s̖̦̙̟͎͎̋ͅa̔̿̍̅̔̚n̯̪̩̺̗̱̻i̞̹̣̥͉ͥt̊̒͌ͩ̉y̧͔̺͎̱̲̰̼?

 

I don't think you know my pain. Sonic the Hedgehog has kept me enchanted for well around 20 years, and one of the most important aspects to this dynamic relationship I've held to this series is the various music tracks. There are many kinds of music genres that this franchise has used... rock, techno, jazz, hip hop, the list goes on. Nearly every soundtrack is filled with music tracks that are memorable, strong and catchy. 

 

Listen, I can't put this any more clearly than I'm about to now - picking my favorite level music tracks is like picking your favorite child. It's as if I'm deciding which baby will be sacrificed to the volcano gods. You couldn't think of a more difficult moral question to pose, something like this, to me, is just... it's just beyond my ability to comprehend. 

 

I've spent hours. Hours compiling my ten favorite games, and then making the heart-breaking decision of looking at each unique track, scrutinizing them to the greatest possible detail to see which one was most pleasing to me. I'm an objective man... SSMB, you're asking me to be subjective with one of the most cherished aspects of this franchise. I can't take this list lightly. My only way to retain my moral sanity is to maintain a list of honorable mentions so long that it nearly doubles my list. 

 

Doubles it.

 

I have 75 music tracks to list and comment on, and I'm not going to be lazy about it. I can't be lazy. This question is far too important for me to be lazy about. I've had to look deeply into myself and consider...   

 

...what music... what... how... how can any of it be better than another? How can I choose one over the other? Yes, I understand, there are some tracks that objectively are not up to snuff (hello there, Chronicles), but among my favorites... I thought it would be beyond me. 

 

But it's not.

 

I have defeated this question. I don't go down so easily. 

 

SSMB, brace your ears, wet your eyes and ready your popcorn. We're running the gamut. That's right, even considering that I have picked a top ten favorite games, I've taken it upon myself to pick one song per game... and that's almost all games, as honorable mentions. And beyond that, within each of my top ten games, one extra honorable mention. 

 

IT IS TIME

 

 

Zone 23: Favorite Level Music Tracks

 

Let's take it game by game, shall we? By year of release, by level order. I won't be organizing them by fondness... it's just too hard for me. Also, I will not be including games that contain mostly remixes, such as the All Stars Racing series and Generations. They're fantastic games, and the remixes they have are stellar ear-pleasers, but they are remixes, and I want to avoid any overlapping (though in the case for Sonic Adventure, there may be some 3D Blast overlap).

 

Otherwise, Generations and All Stars Racing would have made the Top 10 list over one or two of these entries, but eh, you gotta work with the cards your dealt.

 

Also, these lists will be condensed into spoilers to prevent from bloating this post. Each entry will contain a link to the song on YouTube. So now... alright! On to the list!

 

Game 1: Sonic the Hedgehog 

 

 

Sonic 1 is the first Sonic game I owned, so I spent an incredible amount of time playing this one... and I still do... so the music made one heck of an impression on me. Masato Nakamura of Dreams Come True fame is responsible for this amazing soundtrack!

 

But which four music tracks are my favorite? Well... I'd like to say all of them, but that's not how this works. Darn... I guess I have to pick out the least awesome ones, then... that'll be difficult, but hey, that's how it goes. So let's begin...

 

1. Green Hill Zone

Every member here is legally obligated to slap me if I ever neglect to mention how amazing this track is. It's straightforward, fast, has a nice beat and feels like the beginning of a great adventure. It's perfect for the setting.

 

2. Spring Yard Zone

This music theme is so bouncy and jazzy, it's hard for me to get it out of my head at times! It fits the bouncy nature of the Spring Yard level, and makes for a very fun overall experience. 

 

3. Labyrinth Zone

Now here's a crazy awesome track. If Spring Yard encompasses jazziness in its notes, Labyrinth encompasses catchy 80's pop music. It turned what could be an unsettling trek through the moldy catacombs of South Island into a fun, fun adventure. Gotta love it.

 

4. Star Light Zone

Jazz. That's just how I would explain this. Jazz. This plays out almost like a romantic ballad in some respects, and it fits the midnight-city motif. And the beat compliments the many bursts of speed you get in this Zone. It's probably one of my favorite 16-bit era songs, actually!

 

Honorable Mention: Scrap Brain Zone

 

While it doesn't make the list, it's still difficult to go on without mentioning this catchy tune. Scrap Brain's music manages to put across an eerie atmosphere while giving it that cool J-Pop feel to it that only Masato Nakamura seemed to be able to do. It's just another way to turn an anti-hedgehog torture death trap into another fun romp.

 

Game 2: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

 

 

Ah, Sonic 2. Nakamura-san reprises his role as composer for this game and created another plethora of amazing tracks. Now, I have to admit, picking my favorite four was a bit easier this go round. Don't get me wrong, these songs are all memorable, but to me, it's easy to pick out which ones had a bigger impact on my memory. Let's get started, shall we?

 

1. Emerald Hill Zone

This one... this one is nostalgic. Not necessarily because I first heard it as a 5 year old, but even as a kid, there are motifs in this song that seem... nostalgic. I can't quite place it, but it haunts me in a charming sort of way. I love Emerald Hill's music, and somehow, I think you do, too. If not, I am pretty sure that, at the very least, nobody hates it, or even mildly dislikes it. It's just an innocent, catchy, memorable tune.

 

2. Chemical Plant Zone

Awesome. Just... awesome. This song makes you want to run. It has some jazz elements in there that I absolutely adore. Sonic music scarcely gets more energetic than this.

 

3. Casino Night Zone

It isn't fast, it doesn't make you want to run... but it's certainly catchy... and for a music track, sometimes that's all you need to offer. Casino Night's music fit the mood perfectly for the level, and y'know, that's all I have to say about it. I love it, and it works. Just... big band jazzy goodness.

 

4. Mystic Cave Zone

This one's really cool and catchy. It gets stuck in your head, and it doesn't leave without it's own permission. Right after the short intro, you get the most awesome spooky music ever. It takes what could have been an eerie level and turns it into a creepy thrill-ride. 

 

Honorable Mention: Metropolis Zone

 

This one's just funky fresh. Like Scrap Brain Zone (and even surpassing it), it turns a deathtrap into a crazy awesome jive'in dance party. You gotta respect a soundtrack that can make the most dangerous level a fun one through the power of music. That's how you make a great, unique experience. 

 

Game 3: Sonic the Hedgehog CD

 

 

This one was kind of hard. Sonic CD has 

two soundtracks to work with, and further than that, most variations between Past, Present and Bad and Good Futures, it's not really easy to fit them into four lone tracks. But it's gotta be done! There are a lot of good tracks here, so this was tough.

 

1. Tidal Tempest Zone (US version, Present)

It's not so much that the Japanese version is bad, it's actually quite awesome... but the American track here is funky fresh... it stuck itself into my brain so deep that I was humming and scatting along with it in the most inopportune places. Got me in trouble once or twice, actually. But hey, it was worth it. This one's a definite keeper in my book.

 

2. Quartz Quadrant Zone (JP version, Present)

I don't know what it is, but this song gives me chills. Quartz Quadrant is a unique level in the Sonic series as a whole, and the Japanese version of it's music is also quite unique. I just honestly can't think of any reason why anyone would hate it. It's really, really good.

 

3. Stardust Speedway Zone (US version, Present)

Some of you might shout blasphemy for this, but screw it, I love this version. The bells at the beginning, the trance right after, this song captured the feel of "stardust" for me. It also had a pretty good beat to it, so that made running through the golden streets of confusing tubes all the more fun.

 

4. Stardust Speedway Zone (JP version, Bad Future)

Also known as Metal Sonic's theme song, this music encompasses the rivalry between Sonic and his metallic duplicate. This is probably the funkiest rivalry song out there, and it works perfectly. And in the level itself, the piano fits along with the stormy acidic sky somehow. I just love it, man.

 

Honorable Mention: Metallic Madness (US version, Present)

 

Sorry. I know you think it's boring, but me... I think it's ambient. This track could have focused on making it a funky wild ride like the other industrial base levels I've mentioned, but Spencer Nilsen composed a really dark atmosphere. He focused not on the situation, but the location. And you know what, maybe we need that every once and a while. It may not be catchy, but it fits. But I admit, its lack of energy and memorability is why it didn't make the cut. I still wanted to give it a shout-out, though, in it's defense.

 

Game 4: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

 

 

Now... it should be no secret by now that Sonic 3 & Knuckles is

 

MY FAVORITE SONIC GAME OF ALL TIME... 

 

but should I separate the two just so I can give each soundtrack more love...? Well, no. I decided not to. I kind of had to group both Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles together, because if I had them stand apart, I'd pick every song. Really... it was better this way... but it was still hard. Sonic 3 has the luxury of being composed by Michael Freaking Jackson's sound team, and Sonic & Knuckles was composed largely by the great Howard Drossin. There's so much awesome in this soundtrack that picking any song over the other felt like an epic decision to save the universe. But I'll do my best.

 

1. Hydro City Zone

Again... another jazzy track! This one has that nice "cool" feel to it, almost "wet," you might say. It definitely keeps the speedy attitude about it, and that's why it's awesome.

 

2. Ice Cap Zone

Everyone loves this. You love this. Your brother loves this. Your college professor loves this. Your pet hamster loves this. Your mom loves this (I know, I asked her last night).

 

3. Sky Sanctuary Zone

This one's epic. LIke... that's really high praise, honestly. This song captures the dire situation of the Death Egg's grand relaunch, and it takes place high above Angel Island, where you're the world's last hope. It's heavy stuff... but it's optimistic. 

 

4. Death Egg Zone

I love this one. It has a really intense feeling to it that few level themes manage to put across. The electronic sounds in the background just add to the atmopshere... it feels like the final frontier, and it's a total thrill ride. It's a perfect song for a perfect level.

 

Honorable Mention: Mushroom Hill Zone

 

Catchy. Upbeat. Fun. This is everything that Mushroom Hill is, and the music fits it in every way.

 

Game 5: Sonic Adventure

 

 

 

Sonic Adventure holds a special place in my heart. It isn't a perfect game, and it hasn't aged well (and none of the ports ever did it justice), but dang it, this game meant something to me as a kid. Sonic Adventure was probably my most beloved game for a long time, so its music really stuck with me as well. And hey, it was for a good reason! With the music talent of the likes of Jun Senoue, Fumie Kumatani and such, there was no way there wouldn't be any fantastic hits to be found. And thankfully, there are more than enough amazing tracks to fill this list right up!

 

1. Emerald Coast (Azure Blue World)

Beautiful. Perfect. Amazing. Good. Great. Awesome. Outstanding. There's no better way to open up Sonic's first 3D adventure... just a super energetic, wild and adventurous, yet... ironically calming melody. Oh, and extra love for it's second act, "Windy and Ripply." Pure love concentrated into music, it is.

 

2. Windy Valley (The Air)

A remix of Sonic 3D Blast's (Genesis version) "Green Grove Zone," this version improves on it with better instruments and a wildly cool environment to boot. It actually took me a little bit of time to place the relation as a kid, because honestly this song matched so perfectly with it's "highway-in-the-sky" setting that it felt like a brand-new experience altogether. This just shows how far great music can go hand in hand with good aesthetics.

 

3. Speed Highway (Run Through the Speed Highway)

SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED. This song is speed. It's by far the most radical song in Sonic Adventure, and quite possibly the most radical tune in the entire franchise. It's memorable, energetic and overall awesome. Makes me wanna run, dude.

 

4. Lost World (Tricky Maze)

Now here's something completely different. Whereas the previous songs I mentioned were either optimistic, fun, exciting or energetic, this one's... kind of epic. I mean, yes, it is exciting, but it isn't just that, it's an adventure. That's it... this track is "adventure." Sonic Adventure may be mostly optimistic and peppy rock music, but this incredible tune is more than enough to balance it out.

 

Honorable Mention: Twinkle Park (Twinkle Cart for Twinkle Park)

 

A remix of Sonic 3D Blast's (also Genesis version) Panic Puppet Zone, this one has that energetic techno feel to it. It's a really fun and exciting way to start Sonic's shenanigans in an amusement park.

 

Game 6: Sonic Adventure 2

 

 

Man, I love Sonic Adventure 2. I'm serious, it's one of my favorites. Even the treasure hunting levels and the mech shooting levels. They're fun to me. I know they don't really fit in with the traditional Sonic playstyle, and yes... the story was a bit over dramatic at times, but hey, I enjoyed it. In fact, I kind of want to see more heavy stuff like this in future games. Just... written and executed a little better.

 

Oh, and the music. Oh man... Jun Senoue hit a home run with this game. It may be over-saturated with rock music, but I welcome it with open arms in this game. It worked well. But which ones were the best?

 

1. City Escape (Escape from the City)

Lyrics in a Sonic game? Surely you jest! Nope, this is legit... and it's awesome. I can't picture City Escape without the vocals of Tony Harnell and Ted Poly... and guitar talent of Jun Senoue. It's the quintessential music track for any Sonic fan's collection, cheesy lyrics and all. 

 

2. Metal Harbor

Energy. Just pure energy and awesomeness. It feels like a great escape... with giant rockets and military robots everywhere. This song is just plain catchy, and I've been humming this since 2001. No regrets.

 

3. Mission Street

Tails' chaotic romp through the city is accompanied by this luscious concentration of guitar riffs. The melody in this track is absolutely wonderful, and it's one of the most stand-out tunes for Tails' story, if not the entire game itself. When I think of Mission Street's music, I think of Tails being awesome.

 

4. Lost Colony

Dr. Eggman has broken into the abandoned space colony, and it's so cold and dead. All that's left are murderous government robots and blue water-like experiments gone wild. So how do you portray this? With an epic, loud and bombastic thrilling track? No. You make the loneliest and eeriest track possible for the situation. "Trespasser..." for Lost Colony is one of the most chilling tracks in the series, and I love it.

 

Honorable Mention: Meteor Herd

 

Don't let it get'cha move, don't let it get'cha move, don't let it get'cha move, don't let it get'cha move, don't let it cat'cha groove, don't let it cat'cha groove, don't let it cat'cha groove, groove, groove, don't let it cat'cha groove, OOOOOOHHHHHHHH YYYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHH

 

Game 7: Sonic Advance 2

 

 

Sonic Advance 2 isn't exactly my most beloved game, but man, did I ever spend a lot of time playing this one. It was incredibly fast, and it had a lot of great music to go with it!

 

1. Hot Crater Zone

Awesomeness. This tune is probably the most awesome in this game. It captures that high-speed essence as you run through lava traps and perform tricks to get to the end as fast as you can. It's really, really fun...

 

2. Music Plant Zone

...and so is this! Music Plant isn't that fast-paced, but hot dang is it bouncy and fun... and dare I say... musical? Hoofufufufu..!

 

3. Ice Paradise Zone

Oh man, oh jeez, I LOVE Ice Paradise. It's just... happy. This tune is happy. It's got a Christmas atmosphere to every note about it, and it makes running through the snow all the merrier!

 

4. Egg Utopia Zone

This is intense, man. Egg Utopia is a lot like Death Egg, but where Death Egg has that "electronic" feel to it, Egg Utopia is more... "spacey," if that makes any sense. Oh well... I can't really explain it, but that's why it's a subjective love, now isn't it?

 

Honorable Mention: Leaf Forest Zone

 

It was kind of hard for me to knock this down into an honorable mention, but hey, at least it's getting representation of some form! Leaf Forest is energetic and happy, and if captures that "first level" feel like few other Zones have in the past. It's one of the best ways to open up a Sonic game.

 

Game 8: Sonic Heroes

 

 

You know how I wished Sonic Generations could have been in, but I didn't want to use a game that was 99% remixes? Well, this is why Heroes is here. But hey, I did have some genuine fun with Heroes! In fact, out of the entire series, this one probably has the most heavy hitters in terms of music in the Adventure/Modern era. It's defintely got it's own unique charm, and it's music is some of the best.

 

1. Seaside Hill

Yes, yes, I get it. Seaside Hill is overdone. But come on, guys... you have to admit, this song is really dang catchy. To me, it may even be better than Green Hill in some respects. It's just a good feeling energetic rush through the shores and ruins that gives me chills.

 

2. Casino Park

I was debating on whether or not I should put this in or BINGO Highway, but I realize that while BINGO Highway had more energy to it, Casino Park was more memorable, and its melody stuck out much stronger to me. Casino Park has really ambient techno music that doesn't appear often enough in Sonic games, and I really think it should appear more. Good stuff.

 

3. Hang Castle

Spoooo00OOOOOO00oooookkkyyyyy!!! And never forgetting it's other half when you touch those mystical orbs... this song was pretty ahead of it's time in the Sonic series in terms of dynamic music scoring. It's otherwise a cool, jive'in track that won't get out of your head, no matter how much you beg.

 

4. Final Fortress

ARGH, THIS SONG IS PERFECT FOR A FINAL LEVEL. I mean it, Final Fortress may be the most intense, epic and exciting finale level, and it's all due to tough-as-nails level design, spectacular lighting effects, and this... this beast of a music track. I can't say any more about it. this may be the best finale level music in the entire series. It is that good. Jun Senoue, get yourself a bagel, man. You've earned it.

 

Honorable Mention: Bullet Station

 

While Rail Canyon and Bullet Station may be my least favorite levels in the game, it makes up for it with Bullet Station's catchy and exciting melody that just screams grunge and energy. Not making the top four, but it's definitely worth a mention!

 

Game 9: Sonic Unleashed

 

 

Sonic Unleashed has one of the best soundtracks in the series... and it's hard for me to pick four... even with an honorable mention to help me out. True story, I won this soundtrack in a contest on Facebook from SEGA by writing about how awesome Dr Eggman is. I listened to it more than any other soundtrack I had. I love Sonic Unleashed. I just do, man... Werehog and all.

 

1. Rooftop Run (Day)

Daaa da da daa daaaaaaa..... da-da-da-daaa daaa da daaaaaaa. You hear that? I just sang Rooftop Run's music. And you did too. It's catchy. That's most of what it is, and that's all it needs to be. It fits well with the grandiose city of Spagonia, and it's... it's catchy. It's catchy.   ..... daaa da da daa daaaaaaa..... da-da-da-daaa daaa da daaaaaaa.....

 

2. Cool Edge (Day)

This is probably the "coolest" (pun entirely intended) ...

 

 

...er... sorry. Next one.

 

3. Arid Sands (Night)

Again... jazz. I love jazz... and this has all the makings of one of the craziest and most swingin' level motifs out there. I'm in the desert yo, and I'm having a wild time. That's all you need, man. That's all.

 

4. Jungle Joyride (Day)

One of the most intense themes in the Sonic 'verse, period. Jungle Joyride isn't so much a "joy-ride" as it is a "thrill-ride," and this music helps accent that. It's death traps and huge drops everywhere... and the music keeps your heart pumping as you race through the ancient ruins and jungles of Adabat. Just how high is the BPM on this song anyway? It's gotta be a series record, yo.

 

Honorable Mention: Windmill Isle (Day)

 

Somehow managing to be calm enough to warrant me putting it in my "relaxation" playlist on YouTube, yet pumping me up just enough to keep me running forward in Apotos' lovely seaside city. Good stuff, man.

 

Game 10: Sonic Colors

 

 

Sonic Colors came out of nowhere... and just like that, it's hype came and went... but it's soundtrack took an extended stay in my brain. I love Colors, and it's... pardon me... colorful soundtrack is definitely one of the.... sorry... brightest the series has to offer!

 

Hue hue hue.

 

...Sorry again.

 

1. Tropical Resort

I get a really fun rock vibe from this... and not the modern 80's-90's stuff we usually get in Sonic. I mean Classic Rock. It's been strangely absent from the Sonic series, and it's totally welcome here!

 

2. Planet Wisp

Beautiful... energetic... but mostly beautiful. Planet Wisp is one of the most unique tracks out there, prioritizing it's aesthetic beauty over the energy or pacing of the level. And you know, I think that's why I love it.

 

3. Aquarium Park

Also beautiful... mystical, even! Aquarium Park has an unforgettable Asian feel to it that gets me in the mood for fun. It's piano-heavy segments really give that beautiful water edge some substance to it, and it couldn't fit any better than it does already. It may in fact be the best water level music out there.

 

4. Terminal Velocity

Yet another intense level theme! You're running down from space to your home planet at supersonic speeds. You really couldn't find a more fitting style and substance of music to go with it. Terminal Velocity is one of my favorites for a good reason. It's fast, and it's fun.

 

Honorable Mention: Starlight Carnival

 

Hah, I love it. It's a happy and energetic techno piece that personifies the fun you get at a parade. Not quite powerful enough to make the cut, but certainly memorable!

 

Pheewww!! That's a lot of Sonic music... 50 tracks, in fact. But are we done?

 

Oh, heck no. Because we have...

 

Even MORE Honorable Mentions

 

 

I just couldn't resist... there's so many wonderful music tracks in the series, I had to add more. I just had too. But I capped it at one song per game I chose to represent. Now... these aren't from my favorite games, but I just needed to give some of these songs their just dues. 

 

And without further ado...

 

Sonic the Hedgehog 1 (GG/MS): Bridge Zone

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (GG/MS): Green Hills Zone

Sonic Spinball: Toxic Caves

Sonic Triple Trouble: Sunset Park (Act 3)

Knuckles Chaotix: Isolated Island

Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis): Volcano Valley Zone

Sonic 3D Blast (Saturn/PC): Rusty Ruin Zone

Sonic R: Radical City

Sonic Advance: Ice Mountain

Shadow the Hedgehog: Sky Troops

Sonic Battle: Chao Ruins

Sonic Advance 3: Twinkle Snow

Sonic Rush: Leaf Storm

Sonic Riders: Sand Ruins

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006): Aquatic Base (Level 1)

Sonic Rivals: Forest Falls

Sonic and the Secret Rings: Evil Foundry

Sonic Rush Adventure: Coral Cave

Sonic Rivals 2: Blue Coast (Act 3)

Sonic Riders Zero Gravity: Gigan Rocks

Sonic and the Black Knight: Deep Woods

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I: Splash Hill Zone (Act 1)

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II: White Park Zone (Act 1)

Sonic Free Riders: Rocky Ridge

Sonic Lost World: Sea Bottom Segue

 

OKAY.

DONE.