The best music from Sonic the Hedgehog games
Over Sonic’s long history, the quality of the games has been quite a rollercoaster, but the one thing that has stayed surprisingly consistent is the quality of the game’s soundtracks. Even the worst games in the series have a few songs that are worth listening to, be they lyrical main themes, or background music for the levels.
Picking out just a handful to highlight as the best was no easy feat, but here is our ranking of the best music from the Sonic the Hedgehog games.
You can also check out our list of every Sonic the Hedgehog game ranked from best to worst.
Studiopolis Zone – Sonic Mania
Sega
One of Sonic Mania’s original zones, this shows how much care and attention went into that game. It stands out as a unique feeling track, leaning heavily on the brass and piano elements, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel out of place compared to all of the classic Sonic music. It has a fun and bouncy melody that backs up the gameplay while staying true to the level’s theme.
Sky Sanctuary Zone – Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sega
Sky Sanctuary’s high-pitched synth music is so memorable for a couple of reasons. For one, the melody is simple and catchy, but more importantly, it comes in at the perfect moment in Sonic 3 & Knuckles’ story. This short and fast-paced stage comes after a series of tough and oppressive stages in the game like Lava Reef and Sandopolis, so being finally let loose into this mad dash to the top is such a wonderful feeling.
Haunted Ship – Sonic Rush Adventure
Sega
Sonic Rush Adventure has a fair few tracks that are worthy of a mention, but Haunted Ship is the most memorable and definitely the most chaotic. Haunted Ship is a strange level, with all sorts of mechanics that aren’t seen throughout the rest of the game, and this piece of music absolutely bangs the entire time.
It starts strong with a forceful guitar before giving away into slightly spookier synths. Plus, the fact that the sound is slightly bit-crushed by the DS’s audio capabilities oddly works in its favor.
Vs Metal Sonic – Sonic CD
Sega
The original Japanese Sonic CD soundtrack is a wild ride, and the Metal Sonic boss fight is the absolute peak of it. The intro with the mechanical beats and strange mixes gives away into this slightly subdued but still quite intense piano melody that will be stuck in your head from the first time you hear it, and it helped establish Metal Sonic as a memorable rival in the series.
Rooftop Run – Sonic Unleashed
Sega
It’s easy to forget among all of the terrible Werehog gameplay that Sonic Unleashed’s daytime platforming levels are actually pretty great, and Rooftop Run is most certainly the best. The music makes it such a joyous feeling as you sprint through this idyllic European-style town. The level lets you absolutely let loose at full speed, rarely forcing you to slow down and this fast-paced toe-tapper of a track keeps the momentum going from start to finish.
Live and Learn – Sonic Adventure 2
Sega
You may criticize this song by saying it’s a cheesy mid-2000s rock number, but I would argue that’s exactly why it’s amazing. Sonic has always been presented as a cool alternative and songs like this bring that idea to the forefront, especially with SA2, which introduced the edgiest of all the edge lords, Shadow the Hedgehog. The guitars make for an incredible rock melody and Johnny Gioeli’s vocals hit the big moments perfectly.
Ice Cap Zone – Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sega
The age-old question is did Michael Jackson contribute to this track? Sega insists no, but they still removed it from Sonic Origins, which seems like a weird thing to do if MJ truly wasn’t involved.
Still, regardless of the behind-the-scenes action, it’s a brilliant track. The intense but light synth beat is a great backing to the dowhill snowboard ride that starts the stage before the nice twinly melody comes in to top it all off in a way that will be stuck in your head for years after you hear it once.
City Escape – Sonic Adventure 2
Sega
We’re back to the cheese rock and City Escape is a much more iconic song when it comes to Sonic music. “Rolling around at the speed of sound” is the kind of line that everyone knows even if they don’t know what it’s from. It also makes for a fantastic opening to the game as you skate down the steep roads of a city that looks suspiciously like San Francisco.
Egg Reverie – Sonic Mania
Sega
The final secret boss fight of 2D Sonic games don’t usually go for the hard rock of the 3D games, but Mania decided to buck the trend and mixed the high energy rock with classic synth melodies to absolute perfection. The synthetic keyboard and brass melodies make for a chaotic feeling battle in this strange dimension before it gives way to a lead guitar riff that goes hard and kicks ass, it’s a great feeling as you rush around as Super Sonic on that final stage.
Chemical Plant Zone – Sonic 2
Sega
While Sonic 1 did have some great music, Sonic 2 is where the classic game truly felt like it found a musical identity, mixing Jazz and Swing stylings into a 16-bit synth soundboard that goes way harder than it has any right to.
Chemical Plant Zone is the best example of how such simple elements can be used to create something awesome, with the main melody going round and round in your head all day until you listen to it and remember it has an extended breakdown section that goes even harder.
Lava Reef Zone – Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sega
Lava Reef Zone (specifically Act 1) is a track you might not think of when going through Sonic music, but seriously, listen to it again, it’s a beautiful piece of music. This is a threatening track that ditches the bright major keys of most of the Sonic 3 soundtrack and instead hits you with a low, slow, and intense beat. It then layers this high-pitched synth melody over it that is the perfect compliment and, despite its more upbeat tone, manages to add to the feeling of threat from the lava everywhere.
Flying Battery Zone – Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sega
Flying Battery Zone slaps you right across the face the moment it starts with its high notes before throwing you into a chaotic and bombastic track that doesn’t let up for a moment. The Swing influences shine through again but the intensity is turned up to eleven and it manages to simultaneously get across the sense of danger while showing off how cool you are for running across the top of a giant flying warship.
