Awesome Music / Sonic the Hedgehog

(aka: Sonic Mania)

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General

Sonic the Hedgehog

• There may be many themes people and fans associate with the Blue Blur, but the Green Hill Zone is the definitive Sonic tune. Like Mario and the very first beats of the Mushroom Kingdom, the melody of Green Hill would make sure Sonic's music stuck around just as long as his rival's.
• The music for Marble Zone has an appropriately sinister edge for a set of lava-based levels.
• Spring Yard Zone features an easy-going track that may be somewhat at odds with the chaos of the series' first zone to feature pinball bumpers as obstacles, but it's definitely a winner.
• The bass-heavy Labyrinth Zone stage music takes a lot of the sting out of the series' first water levels.
• The Star Light Zone is something of a Breather Level between the frustrations of the water-based Labyrinth Zone and the difficulty spike in Scrap Brain Zone, and its stage music is appropriately laid back, as well as being well matched to the level's "city by night" theme. It's so memorable that it was played during Oman and the Netherlands' March of Nations at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• The Scrap Brain Zone theme (especially the first part) is one of the best tracks ever written to give the impression of "prepare for insane difficulty". Notably it, along with Star Light Zone, was reused as the music on the option screens for Sonic Advance. Furthermore, Scrap Brain Zone's theme, along with Green Hill Zone's music, were both included in Super Smash Bros. Brawl's awesome soundtrack.
• The classic Robotnik boss theme. You can practically hear the sky clouding over the Green Hill Zone when this music kicks in for the first time.
• Final Zone. The tune is more epic than the battle is.
• The invincibility music is probably the catchiest 10 second loop ever.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

• The Sonic 2 Final Boss Theme. One of the most epic final boss battle themes in the series.
• The Death Egg Zone Theme is, for a 16-bit era track, an eerie, haunting piece of genius, with an undercurrent of madness. You normally only hear a couple seconds of it as you run to the right and face Mecha Sonic, but if you stand there and wait for a little while you'll start getting thoroughly creeped out. Bonus points for the top melody sounding like some sort of deranged lullaby. In prototype versions, the melody was made up of ring sounds, almost as if it's mocking that there are no rings at all.
• No variant on the boss music is complete without a reference to the real boss theme. Where the original game had its own unique flavor and Sonic 3 would later aim for straight-up intensity, this is too iconic to go unmentioned.
• Hidden Palace Zone's unused music is really good. Listen for yourself. As well as the enhanced version used in the hidden "Proto Palace Zone" in the mobile remake.
• The Super Sonic theme in itself is almost enough incentive to get all the Chaos Emeralds. This is the only Genesis game where Super Sonic gets his own theme instead of just borrowing the invincibility theme from the game in question.
• The stage music tracks run the gamut from the jaunty to the intense to the heroic to the sinister, every one a winner:
  • With Emerald Hill, the game's soundtrack hits the ground running, the lively, upbeat music setting the stage for the fast-paced fun ahead. It also contains a Musical Nod to the Green Hill Zone theme from the previous game.
  • The strident Chemical Plant theme is ideal for the bright factory theme of the level.
  • Aquatic Ruin is energetic yet dramatic, befitting a level revolving around underwater ruins.
  • The jazzy Casino Night music really adds to the "vintage Las Vegas" feeling of the stage.
  • The Hill Top Zone has a pastoral, almost bucolic atmosphere with a unique mix of harmonica, bass guitar, and church organ.
  • Mystic Cave starts with a bass-heavy introductory figure that is reminiscent of the theme song of Inspector Gadget (1983) before leading into a tune that strikes the right blend of mystery and tension.
  • The heavily polluted Oil Ocean Zone is well matched with a weighty yet eerie track with heavy Middle Eastern influences.
  • Metropolis may have a simple melody, but it is incredibly catchy and infectious.
  • Sky Chase is appropriately light and ethereal for a level in which Sonic (or Tails if you're playing as him) rides on the wings of a biplane.
  • The martial music for Wing Fortress practically screams, "The final confrontation is coming up - go get 'em, Sonic!"
• Similarly, the 2-player stage tracks hold their own against their 1-player counterparts in the awesomeness department:
  • Emerald Hill Zone (2-player) is as laid back and easy-going as the music for the game's easiest level ought to be.
  • Casino Night Zone (2-player) is more forceful than its 1-player counterpart, but just as catchy and suited to the theme of the level.
  • Mystic Cave Zone (2-player) has a reverberation-heavy atmosphere that is well suited to a cave level. It is later reused as the main theme of Hidden Palace Zone in the iOS remake.
• Special Stage leads from a short fanfare to a relentlessly urgent track for the often chaotic journeys around the half-pipe stages.
• The Two Player Results tune is a fairly happy and epic way to finish a 2 player stage.
• The Ending Theme must be mentioned as a more than fitting a celebration for beating the game. All the more awesome that it's actually an arrangement of a song Masato Nakamura, the composer for Sonic 1 and 2, did as part of Dreams Come True.

Sonic 3 & Knuckles

• The late Michael Jackson was hired to compose the entire soundtrack of Sonic 3, but bailed on the project after being dissatisfied with the Genesis's sound chip, leaving Brad Buxer, keyboardist and musical director of MJ, to do the rest. Similarities between songs in the finished game and songs by Michael have been noted by fans, but the only song actually confirmed to be composed by him is the credits theme, which featured a chord progression that would later be used in "Stranger in Moscow".
  • Ice Cap Zone Act 1 was actually an instrumental version of "Hard Times", a then-unreleased song by a group called the Jetzons, whose keyboardist (Brad Buxer) composed the music for the game after Michael Jackson quit. The song did eventually get released, but Sonic 3 was nearly 15 years old when it happened.
• The Sonic & Knuckles Opening Screen Theme. Aptly used as a fist-pumping invincibility song, and its fanfare-like reprise in the very end of the Ending Credits is a thing of beauty. The Virtual Sonic remix is also great, with the 1:37 section probably being the most well-known section.
• Angel Island Zone is backed by the tropical-sounding Act 1. Notably, it shifts from a major key to a minor key for Act 2, set in the blazing inferno that used to be a tropical paradise and emphasising the now raised stakes. Act 2 received a sweet remix for Sonic Pocket Adventure.
• Hydrocity Zone is a level with a lot of water. Act 1 offsets the frustration that usually accompanies such levels with a catchy, jazzy tune, but when Sonic is sucked down a drain between Acts 1 and 2, the Act 2 remix kicks up the adrenaline level as the stakes are raised for the impending confrontation with Eggman.
• Marble Garden Zone's slick beat with very well-accompanying melody and melancholic climax makes the zone so much more memorable.
• Carnival Night Zone. Just the sound of that synthesized refrain as the deep bass and beats jam, punctuated by discordant quotes from "Entry of the Gladiators"... so cool. The Act 2 version is essentially the same as Act 1 but with some tracks removed for a few phrases; the sparser scoring suitably heightens the tension for the latest face-off against Eggman.
• Ice Cap Zone Act 1 hits the ground running (or snowboarding, if you're playing as Sonic) with a pounding bassline under a simple chord pattern, followed by a whimsical, almost romantic melody that communicates the cold and wind of the zone perfectly. Ice Cap Zone Act 2 is just as awesome as the first, following the cue set by Carnival Night of keeping the same melody but paring down the "orchestration" (sometimes removing the bassline, sometimes removing the chords or the melody with which they alternate), as though the cold is continuing to set in, freezing out the missing instruments.
• The brooding and groovy-sounding Launch Base Zone is just what the player needs to get the blood pumping for the final showdown of the uncoupled Sonic the Hedgehog 3, punctuated by synthetic voices shouting "Go! Go!". As with the previous two zones, Act 2 is simply a stripped down yet somehow more intense version of Act 1.
• The legendary Mushroom Hill Zone. Act 1 is an easy-going track that settles the player back into a forest level after the frantic race through the Launch Base Zone, while Act 2 puts more emphasis on the bassline and drums to fire up the player for the zone's Eggman fight.
• The Flying Battery Zone, in which Sonic infiltrates one of Eggman's ships and channels the best James Bond he can, has just the music for it. Act 1 takes wing straight away with an energetic bassline under a soaring octave figure, while Act 2 replaces the soaring octaves with a haunting vibes-like figure as the player heads deeper into Eggman's airborne warship to face the mad scientist himself.
• The Act 1 music for Sandopolis Zone is appropriately sparsely scored for a level in which the player navigates an oppressively hot desert. But then Sonic/Tails/Knuckles enters a pyramid, and the far more sinister driving bassline of the Act 2 arrangement kicks in as the player fends off ghosts and other monsters, the darkness constantly threatening to close in.
• Act 1 of the Lava Reef Zone announces itself immediately with a pounding bassline over which an almost ethereal melody appears, culminating in a dramatic and absolutely beautiful climax. The track is transformed completely for Act 2 as the Lava Reef Zone itself goes from fire to ice, the pounding bassline still audible but now much milder as a smooth variation on the melody takes centre stage; the music continues into the Hidden Palace Zone.
• The triumphant, heroic tune that plays in Sky Sanctuary Zone really inspires a "Yeah, we're gonna go save the world!" feeling. Fittingly, in the end credits medley, it is the last track to be sampled before the main title theme rounds things off.
• Death Egg Zone is just as driving and sinister as music for an epic-length storming of Eggman's stronghold - only explored very briefly in Sonic 2 - ought to be. Acts 1 and 2 follow almost identical outlines, but the melody in Act 2 is an octave higher than in Act 1 to get the player's heart racing for this, the final confrontation with Dr. Eggman.
• The Act 1 boss music from Sonic 3, from the opening "HEY! COME ON!", is equal parts energetic and discordant, just what the soundtrack needs for a confrontation with one of Eggman's automatons.
• The Act 1 boss music in Sonic & Knuckles may be a simple rising and falling melodic figure, but the relentless bassline makes it clear the player needs to stay focused to stay alive.
• The Act 2 boss theme, especially with the immediately singable opening riff. It soon gives way to lofty, echo-laden melody over a thundering bass that complements the ambitious scale of the Eggman boss fights beautifully. It has the same basic tune as Sonic 2's boss theme, but sped up and much more intense.
• The Doomsday Zone. This one set the standard for all future Super Sonic battles. Not only is it an awesome Final Boss theme, but it also accurately conveys the urgency of the situation; Sonic needs to catch Robotnik with the Master Emerald before his Super form wears off and Robotnik gets away, while Robotnik is in a panic trying to throw everything and the kitchen sink at Sonic to keep him away until the Super form wears off. For those who couldn't get all the Emeralds, though, it was also used for the Super Mecha Sonic Mark II battle.
• The final boss theme first shows up in Sonic 3, and it marks the first – and one of the only – times that Super Sonic is NOT invincible^note  though it's apparently due to a programming oversight. A grab attack from Big Arm will outright knock you clean out of your super form. This is the first time in this game that Robotnik's REALLY a true threat, and this music really knocks it home. An absolutely menacing tune that starts out sounding straight out of a horror movie and quickly picks up the pace, before climaxing on a surprisingly positive note. There's also the Sonic Pocket Adventure version of it.
• The Dummied Out early credits are a standard Credits Medley like the other Genesis titles, but they still sound good. In Origins, it would be brought back for use in the cutscene for the good ending when Sonic returns the Master Emerald to Angel Island.
• Sonic 3's two-player competition mode was largely ignored in favor of the the single-player mode. A shame, as every track there is a winner:
  • Azure Lake goes from an almost dreamlike opening gesture to a lively tune anchored by a frantic bassline, capturing the majestic beauty of Mother Nature in spite of its largely synthetic sound.
  • Balloon Park conveys a suitably circus-like atmosphere for a track set in a city at night and based around jumping off giant yellow balloons. Funnily enough, this is generally considered better than Carnival Night Zone's BGM.
  • Chrome Gadget has a haunting yet energetic mood well matched to the industrial level it accompanies.
  • Desert Palace provides another driving bass figure sure to get the player fired up for a race through the sand.
  • Endless Mine has a certain warmth to it that makes it the perfect track to round off a run through all five courses.
  • The catchy Competition Select Theme is also very good.
• The Special Stage Theme. This is the version heard in-game, where it gets fast and unbelievably awesome. That surreal blend of chirpy and mysterious at high speed is glorious.
• The three bonus stages all have appropriately kickass tunes to accompany them. The "slot machine" stage takes a catchy bass riff and slaps an equally catchy melody on top of it. The "glowing spheres" stage has an otherworldly air to it befitting the bizarre world of magnetic globes that allow the player to outrun an Advancing Wall of Doom from below. And the "gumball machine" stage is backed by an energetic track that gives a real sense of fun to dispensing a long line of powerups and rings.
• The catchy-sounding Knuckles' theme only makes a brief appearance in Sonic & Knuckles.
  • The Sonic 3 version, in spite of being more repetitive, is no slouch, either.
  • The arranged version also qualifies.
• No Way! serenades you when you try to lock anything other than Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 onto Sonic & Knuckles. However, it sure doesn't sound like you actually made a mistake.^note It was also the Competition results and Continue theme.
• The level complete theme, which would be reused and rearranged numerous times in future games, probably the most of the level clear themes. It may be short and simple, but it conveys a real sense of achievement at getting through the level and getting the better of the boss.
• The PC version of Sonic 3 (and Knuckles) on Sonic and Knuckles Collection has a few levels with tracks that are separate from their Genesis counterparts, some of them widely considered to be even better than them. There's a reason why these "new" tracks even exist at all:
  • Carnival Night Zone Act 1.
  • Carnival Night Zone Act 2.
  • Ice Cap Zone Act 1.
  • Ice Cap Zone Act 2.
  • Launch Base Zone Act 1.
  • Launch Base Zone Act 2.
  • This unused track was also seemingly created for the PC version.
• On November 16, 2019, the unthinkable happened. 25 years after the release of Sonic 3, an earlier prototype of it was discovered, dated November 3, 1993. The biggest revelation about it is that the music thought to have been created just for Sonic and Knuckles Collection on PC turned out to be the original tracks this entire time, and that the Michael Jackson-inspired tracks were the replacements! Some fans consider these once-shelved themes superior to not only their MIDI versions on PC, but also to ValleyBell's take on them in Sonic 3 Complete, and sometimes even the MJ-based tracks in the final Genesis release, as well.
  • Carnival Night Zone Act 1.
  • Carnival Night Zone Act 2.
  • Ice Cap Zone Act 1.
  • Ice Cap Zone Act 2.
  • Launch Base Zone Act 1.
  • Launch Base Zone Act 2.
  • This uplifting track remains unused, even in this prototype. Some theorize that it was meant to be a Bonus Stage theme, a Credits theme, or even a unique theme for Super Sonic similarly to his theme in Sonic 2, instead of reusing the Invincibility theme. Sonic Origins would eventually use it as the title theme to the unlockable New Blue Spheres bonus game.

Sonic the Hedgehog

The soundtrack was composed by Yuzo Koshiro, who did the impossible with the Genesis sound card by crafting the most epic video game soundtracks, EVER!

• The 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog has Bridge Zone and Labyrinth Zone. There has been an effort to convert some of the songs into the Genesis version, so here's the same songs in that style (note that the latter uses the Sonic 3 drums).
  • The Scrap Brain & Sky Base music is great too.
  • How about the Act 2 Sky Base? Sure it loops after only about 15 seconds, but so did quite a few tunes in the Mario Universe.
• Jungle Zone has a real Disney vibe to it.
• The ending theme is one of the most upbeat and happy ending tracks in the series.
• The boss theme is super catchy, and some people actually prefer it to the Genesis boss theme.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

• The Green Hills (yes, that's "Hills" with an S) Zone tune from the Sega Master System version of Sonic 2. It's "Sonic ~ You Can Do Anything" from the Japan/Europe version of Sonic CD. Even better is that Sonic CD was made – or at least came out – way after the Master System version of Sonic 2, so for Sonic CD they took a tune from a (probably) lesser-known Sonic game and turned it into a song. Now that is awesome.
  • The outstanding Game Gear version of the Boss Theme was remixed into Metallic Madness's Bad Future theme.
  • BEHOLD! The two wed in glorious union.
  • And it was given an awesome remix as Mecha Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos.
• The fast-paced Master System boss theme is also very good.
• Underground Zone from the Game Gear/Master System version (from the first stage of the game, at that) is a great track that really exemplifies the speed of the series.
• Gimmick Mt. Zone is an intricate track that pushes the 8-bit sound system to its absolute limit.
• Scrambled Egg Zone carries the vibes of a Mega Man level as well as dread and tension as you head on to confront Doctor Robotnik.
• Aqua Lake packs in a hydro-bop in its tune, almost to simulate the water splashing.
• The Bad Ending theme is an eye-watering track that conveys a feeling that you failed to save Tails from Robotnik. To compare, the Good Ending theme is a very upbeat and euphoric track to congratulate you on the marathon of trials you overcame to get your buddy back. Sadly this theme is exclusive to the Game Gear version.
• Short, but oh so sweet, the Title Screen. If anything it sounds better than the same tune used in Sonic & Tails (a.k.a Sonic Chaos), which came out over a year later.
• The Invincibility theme is one of the best in the series.

Sonic Adventure

• "Open Your Heart" in the original Sonic Adventure is straight up epic. That palm muted noodling intro is super iconic and the main riff is badass.
  • While we're speaking of "Open Your Heart", the Bentley Jones Remix is also made of utter awesome.
  • It gets a good remix in Sonic Pinball Party as well.
  • And it was used for all the Super Smash Bros. games that featured Sonic as a playable character (with the exception of the fourth game's 3DS version, due to that version's limitations preventing it from having as many songs as the Wii U version).
  • The final boss remix. It's mostly the same, but without the ominous sounds in the beginning or vocals after the guitar solo. Regardless, it's still an epic track for Super Sonic beating Perfect Chaos, a literal demigod.
• Also from Sonic Adventure comes the Casinopolis level. While it may not be anything special, the NiGHTS pinball area music is quite a joy to listen to.
• Sonic's theme, "It Doesn't Matter", is a neat, concise description of Sonic himself and his attitude in life.
• The second part of Perfect Chaos actually changes the mood of the battle from power-up awesomeness to a dramatic climax.
• Awesome non-vocal tracks include Azure Blue World, Windy and Ripply (both for Emerald Coast), and Pleasure Castle (Twinkle Park). "Azure Blue World" has a gorgeous, Japanese cover that's been likened by Sonic fans as a great intro for a hypothetical Sonic Adventure anime. And even better? You can install a mod to Sonic Adventure DX on PC to replace the standard "Azure Blue World" with this cover.
• The Casinopolis "Main Lobby" music. Is there anything equally as good as this when it comes to casino music? The music from the section down in the sewers is worth losing the pinball tables with less than a hundred rings (or going in as Tails) just to listen to.
• Mechanical Resonance (Final Egg). And the metal version of Resonance with "Crank the Heat Up!" which is just epic.
• Twinkle Cart (Twinkle Park) and The Air (Windy Valley), remixed from 3D Blast. Upbeat and inviting with sparkly instrumentation to welcome players for a ride or two.
• Twinkle Circuit, especially one minute in when the instrumental dance-pop version of "It Doesn't Matter" plays.
• Mystic Ruins' theme. Surprisingly ear-wormy, considering it's meant to sound vaguely tribal.
• Lost World's theme: Tricky Maze is a tropical beat with lots of sinister sound effects to encapsulate the jungles.
• Calm After the Storm, a relaxing, upbeat number that ostensibly serves as the music for the Egg Carrier after it crashes into the ocean, but for whatever reason, doesn't get used for this purpose. It's only used once in the game, during a cutscene of E-102 Gamma boarding the ditched carrier. And speaking of the Egg Carrier...
• A Song That Keeps Us On the Move, the theme of the Egg Carrier: an electronic medley that radiates the sprawling grandeur of Eggman's flying battleship.
• "Mt. Red: A Symbol of Thrill", the theme for the first part of Red Mountain, is delightfully jazzy and adventurous, whether in the looping sound test version or the OST version. The second Red Mountain theme, "Red Hot Skull", is arguably even better. It trades the first theme's adventurous feel for a badass rock theme.
• Run Through the Speed Highway from the first Adventure, which is also the source of the "Up and down and all around" meme, is a cool rock track for running through the city at night.
• At Dawn is one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear in a Sonic game.
• Snowy Mountain from Ice Cap (not to be confused with Sonic 3 of course) is a calm and soothing tune, great for walking through a winter wonderland. Bonus points for having a snippet of "Sonic - You Can Do Anything" from Sonic CD.
• Good ol' "Sky Deck a Go! Go!" and "General Offensive", the themes for Sky Deck, are rock tracks fitting for entering Eggman's ship and destroying his creations.
• Tikal's theme, as mysterious and mystical as the girl herself.
• Crazy Robo, E-101 Beta MkII's theme. Take the electronic and smooth feeling of Gamma's theme, speed it up, and slap on some Jazz. Perfect for a fight meant to represent the upgraded version of the E-series robots. Just don't get too caught up in the music as propeller-guided torpedoes and energy balls are flung at you!
• The epic, and at times depressing, E-102's Theme is beautiful. Combined with the fact that an equally as awesome and saddening rearrangement plays during the death of E-102 Gamma, realizing that he is the last of the series...
• Widely considered one of the best boss themes in the series: "Militant Missionary", the theme for the Egg Viper and Egg Walker. "GET A LOAD OF THIS!"
• Both of Chaos' themes set the mood for fighting a pissed off godlike being, and both are just straight amazing to listen to.
• Fishing. Even if you hated Big's story mode, there's no denying how awesome this theme is.
• Anyone want some "Lazy Days"? This song delivers with a swinging brass tune and two vocals to nail Big and Froggy's friendship.
• Amy's teen-pop song "My Sweet Passion", which has become her trademark theme, except in Sonic Heroes. The two electronic remixes of "My Sweet Passion" from the Sonic Adventure Remix album are epic. The remix in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is not too bad, either.
• "Believe in Myself", Tails' theme, is a rock song with a very upbeat, sunny mood and lyrics about how Tails strives to better himself so that he won't always depend on Sonic. As such, it's just as lovable as the fox himself.
• "Unknown from M.E.", Knuckles' rap theme, mixes in Badass Boast with smooth vocals on Knuckles and his motivation for protecting the Master Emerald.
• Choose Your Buddy, the perfect tune for a character selection screen.
• Be Cool, Be Wild, And Be Groovy remixed for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DS. The original version is good, too.
• Goodbye Chao, from both Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. To hear this sad song, go to the Chao Garden, pick up a Chao, step on the Chao Transporter and select Good-bye. Who would send away a Chao after hearing this?
• Zero's theme is an aggressive techno track that makes the part of Amy's story when you're finally able to beat the bolts out of him after being relentlessly pursued by him for a good chunk much more satisfying.
• The theme of Chao, or more accurately their gardens, is a beautiful song filled with wonder and joy. It adds to the heart of raising Chao by a ton.
  • Surprisingly, another awesome (and very underrated) song is the Chao Race theme, Join Us 4 Happy Time. Makes raising your Chao so very worth it when you get to listen to this masterpiece once more.
  • But most awesome of them all, so amazing that it came back in the GameCube version of Sonic Adventure 2^note As the Chao Lobby theme, is the Race Entrance theme, Letz Get This Party Started. Notable in that this and the above theme both use a sample from The A-Team, "Layin' the wax and spinnin' the sounds."
• "Funky Groove Makes U Hot!?" lives up to its name, being an excellent funky song that makes even the options menu a fun time.
• Both themes for Hot Shelter are awesome. "Bad Taste Aquarium" is a great, rock-heavy track, while "Red Barrage Area" is jazzy and funky, with an amazing synth bridge right before the loop.

Sonic Adventure 2

• "Live and Learn", one of the best rock songs in gaming history. Say what you like about the Sonic games, but you cannot deny the sheer awesome of this song. (click here for the remastered version released in 2008). Johnny Gioeli, the vocalist for Crush 40, confessed this was his favorite song at the Sonic Boom 2011 concert.
• "Escape From the City". "Live and Learn" is awesome, but this song is iconic, to the point that it's frequently been remixed and re-recorded for other games. Jun Senoue later admitted that it was his favorite song for this game.
  • In 2021, as the first of a series of remixes called "Sonic Sessions", a funk remix of "Escape From the City" was released on the official YouTube channel. It's a much more chill take on the track, borrowing elements from the Generations remix, but is nonetheless still as catchy. It's also essentially a look into what a Sonic/Persona crossover might sound like, as in addition to the funky instrumentation, this remix features Persona 5 vocalist Lyn as the singer.
• Hunnid-P's works are great. The distinct style of jazz rap (no matter how cheesy they might be) is Knuckles personified, and really bolsters the musical diversity of the Adventure series. For starters, Kick The Rock!, A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup, Dive Into The Mellow, Deeper, Space Trip Steps, and of course, Knuckles' remixed theme Unknown from M.E..
• "Throw It All Away" is a jarring soundtrack akin to heavy metal, with minor chords to encapsulate Shadow the Hedgehog's status as the Ultimate Lifeform and the inner sorrow he bears.
• "It Doesn't Matter" gets a second rendition with a faster, more carefree tempo to highlight Sonic's positivity and derring-do.
• "E.G.G.M.A.N." is a booming Industrial Rock piece that showcases the genius of the egoistic doctor.
• "E.G.G.M.A.N" remixed for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DS nails the diabolical doctor's sheer power and rocket barrages. And the remix for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed packs in an electronic punch to back up the main melody.
• "Fly In The Freedom", Rouge's theme, is smooth, suave, and awesome. The vocals also carry a tinge of carefree charm, slickness, and willingness to make underhanded moves to get what she wants.
• Vengeance Is Mine is an industrial metal track that establishes Shadow's ruthlessness and determination for his first level as he races through a highway at night, complete with a repeating melodic riff and grizzly rock guitars highlighting his rage and desire to exact revenge on all mankind.
• Rhythm And Balance is a groovy drum n’ bass tune to show Shadow's inner turmoil as he races through the equally messy jungles.
• The Supernatural is an intense industrial rave song with hard-hitting drums, rhythmic synths and guitar riffs and distorted vocals matching the mystery around Shadow's past and his own feelings of uncertainty.
• Soarin' Over The Space (Cosmic Wall). A bright, fast theme with some nice guitar riffs and a siren wail in the background. A perfect fit for what's considered Eggman's best level.
• Trespasser, the theme for Lost Colony. Ethereal Choir with drums and electric guitar really capture the feel of exploring a dark space station that's been abandoned for decades with nothing but hostile robotic guards around.
• While not being all powerful, manly or exciting like most music here in this page, Chao Garden on Sonic Adventure 2 is the most relaxing (and cutest) piece of music around. It's awesome in its own way.
• The Biolizard has "Supporting Me". Compared to everything else on the soundtrack, the Soundtrack Dissonance only heightens both awesomeness and creepiness factor. Even if you do want to strangle the lizard with your bare hands because it's already cost you 20 or so lives. Someone remixed "Supporting Me" in the Sega Genesis soundfont. It was awesome.
• Mr. Unsmiley (Sky Rail), On The Edge (Eternal Engine), I'm A Spy (Security Hall), three fast-paced tracks for trying to solve missions as quickly as possible. Bonus points for I'm A Spy having sensual vocals, fitting for a Rouge level.
• Bright Sound (Dry Lagoon) brings a smooth, silky auditory flare to describe Rouge the Bat in music.
• Rumbling HWY. Upbeat and dreamy.
• Unstable World. Incredibly metal, and part of the instrumentation invokes and calls back the Death Egg Zone's theme from Sonic 3 and Knuckles.
• That's The Way I Like It, Keys the Ruin, Won't Stop, Just Go!, and Scramble For The Core. And then someone took That's The Way I Like It and gave it absolutely EPIC lyrics.
• Tails's Theme, "Believe in Myself", is given a complete rewrite in the music, though the lyrics are the same. This version is a little slower and more emotional than the first - the verses sound quite downbeat, and make it sound like Tails is really struggling with his self-confidence. But the chorus has a more uplifting mood, showing us that Tails still remains hopeful for his future. All in all, this version isn't as sunshine and rainbows as the first, but it's a bit more structured in its composition and melody, and it's just as catchy.
• Shut Up, Faker! is an epic piece before Sonic and Shadow's iconic- I'LL MAKE YOU EAT THOSE WORDS!
• Way To The Base, very stylish and makes you feel like a total badass.
• Sonic vs. Shadow, the theme that plays in the cutscene before the final battle with Sonic/Shadow on the ARK, builds up neatly for the final showdown between the world's fastest hedgehog and the Ultimate Lifeform.
• "For True Story", a suitably ominous theme for a final battle, complete with some downright apocalyptic sounding lyrics:
  Stars don't twinkle, the moon doesn't shine
  Stars don't twinkle, the moon doesn't shine...
  Birds don't sing, the wind doesn't blow,
  To the pure body, the perfect existence...
  I shiver with cold...
  I struggle against despair...
• Suitable Opponent is metal and techno to showcase the might of Tails and Dr. Eggman's machines.
• The hidden Green Hill Nostalgia Level (made in honor of the 10th anniversary of the franchise), the reward for getting all 180 emblems in the game, which comes complete with nostalgia sound effects and an awesome faux-square wave version of the classic theme.
• "Space Trip Steps for Meteor Herd", a chill funky tune that gives off a futuristic space feeling which suits the overall layout of Knuckles' final level.
• "Still Invincible...No Fear!" is a fast, guitar-riff heavy piece that plays when you get the invincibility powerup. The sheer power it exudes just dares your enemies to come get you.
• "The Last Scene", an utterly bittersweet piece of music that has an after-the-storm feel to it. After defeating the stopping the Space Colony ARK from crashing down on Earth, though seemingly losing Shadow in the process, it makes sense for this music to be calming yet heartbreaking at the same time.

• The Title Theme Tune gives you an idea of what is to come, music wise, being fast and urging you on to stop Eggman again. It's one of Crush 40's most popular Sonic themes for a reason.
• The team select screen music is probably one of the funkiest video game menu themes ever conceived. The actual main menu music is a short loop, but even so is also quite the foot tapper.
• Sonic Heroes is the only 3D Sonic game where one gets the Chaos Emeralds via a minigame rather than through the story. And you get to do it to really cool background music. Besides the Emerald Challenge, there's also the music for the Bonus Challenge special stage, which is probably even better.
• Here's BINGO Highway's music (unlike some of the other 3D games, it didn't give names to the stage tracks). This song is so awesome, it got an official remix on the OST.
• Other vocal tracks from the game include Team Sonic's alternative theme "We Can", Team Dark's industrial-rock theme "This Machine", Team Rose's upbeat pop-rock theme "Follow Me", and the ear-wormy "Team Chaotix".
• Grand Metropolis' theme is a pounding rock tune with a fast bass to reveal the hustle and bustle of this high-tech city.
• Seaside Hill theme presents a relaxing rock tune fit for a vacation by the sea, while also sounding quick enough to remind you of Eggman's declaration. Even the piece goes into E major to urge our heroes and you to hurry to save the day.
• Casino Park. Instant Awesome Just Add Broken Piano.
• Power Plant's theme is suitably epic for, well, a power plant.
• Frog Forest has such a relaxing fast paced feel to it.
• Somebody remixed several of the songs here for the DS version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. And boy is it AWESOME. Exhibit A: Final Fortress and Seaside Hill.
• The heavy metal/techno stylings of Robot Carnival/Robot Storm get you pumped for a Multi-Mook Melee fight.
• Hang Castle is an eerie blend of Scooby Doo-style jazz and hip-hop turntablism that changes whenever the castle flips upside down.
• Mystic Mansion. When you're playing the game proper, the part of the song that plays is dependent on which room you're in, just as an added fun detail.
• Egg Fleet. And compared to most of the other tracks in the OST, which were happy and rocking, Final Fortress is no slouch either, with its definite intensity, cementing it as the final stage indeed.
• Ocean Palace sounds very energetic and cheerful while managing to sound very EPIC at the same time. It has one of the most well-composed, eargasmic climaxes ever composed with an electric guitar in any video game.
• Rail Canyon and Bullet Station, two great rock tracks for That One Level.
• Egg Emperor's theme has to be the most rock-heavy song to ever grace a Final Boss in Sonic history.
• One of the more esoteric songs of the game, Lost Jungle, has rapid percussions with piano to give the jungle a mystical and exotic feel to it.
• Metal Madness, an intense track for the first phase of Metal Sonic's boss, is an amazing piece of orchestra that gives the player a sense of urgency to defeat Metal Sonic quickly. Bonus points for this being the track to lead up to Crush 40's "What I'm Made Of". Speaking of which...
• The final boss theme, "What I'm Made Of..." like most, if not, all Sonic final boss themes, will get you pumped to defeat the final boss. Jun Senoue even considers it his favorite work for Crush 40 on his website, and for good reason. In The Best of Crush 40 Super Sonic Songs album, there are a few minor changes made to this song such as added distortion on the bass and the echo on the vocals at the end being removed. Check it out.

• "Endless Possibility" by Bowling for Soup, and the obligatory Final Boss orchestral remix. Endless Possibility brings out Sonic's view about life and his will to never stop in once place, and the boss remix adds a feeling of sheer determination to stop Dark Gaia from destroying the world. A new, more metal cover by Bowling For Soup in collaboration with Punk Rock Factory and Wheatus was released in 2025.
• Unleashed has a rather impressive soundtrack. For starters, there's the Super Mario Galaxy-inspired World Map music.
  • Which is nothing compared to the full, orchestrated version of the same song, which is also one of the songs that plays during the Figure Skating Pairs event in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games with added beats and the audience clapping along with the rhythm.
  • Even the Rank E version of the theme, which is intentionally bad to mock the player, sounds amazing!
  • And the Gaia Temple music. Absolutely beautiful.
  • Also, the diverse selection of music taking place in different countries for day or night makes you want to travel the world.
• Let's run through (no pun intended) the day stages:
  • Windmill Isle - Day starts the levels off strong with its fun mix of light violin and techno backings.
  • Savannah Citadel - Day. A remix from the Master System/Game Gear version of Sonic 1, even.
  • Cool Edge - Day, a memorable fusion of light, airy melody and phenomenal guitar.
  • Rooftop Run - Day is practically the definition of awesome music thanks to its triumphant violin/guitar combo.
  • Dragon Road - Day already has great electronic backings, but combining it with traditional Chinese instrumentation and good piano work makes it sound amazing.
  • Skyscraper Scamper - Day. A great techno beat, combined with a fantastic sax that hits you in the beginning and never goes away.
  • Arid Sands - Day. Everyone's favorite modern Arabian techno beat with some flashy trumpets.
  • Jungle Joyride - Day. A electronic beat with great drums and wind work makes you feel like you're cutting through a jungle.
  • Eggmanland - Day. A frantic beat giving an air of playfulness, yet still dark and sinister enough to remind you who's playground you're running through.
• The Night stages are classics as well. For example, Dragon Road - Night.
  • You may hear it a lot, but it is hard to deny that the Werehog battle theme is a damn good piece of jazz music.
  • In that same vein, Cool Edge - Night.
  • Rooftop Run - Night mixes some truly groovy funk guitar with, of all things, an accordion playing variations of the lick, with synth lead joining in midway. Sneaking through the night streets with style.
  • Jungle Joyride - Night. A piano and cello play the melody while gamelan instruments play in the background. Yes. A thousand times yes.
  • Skyscraper Scamper - Night is incredibly jazzy.
  • Eggmanland - Night's guitar is just badass. And in the Xbox 360 / PS3 version, it's not even interrupted by the battle theme. The soundtrack version has a piano riff at the end that's just haunting.
  • Windmill Isle - Night sounds so relaxing...
  • Arid Sands - Night, especially with that saxaphone. There's a lot more backing this track, but the saxophone work speaks for itself, confidently.
• Even the hub music is often catchy.
  • Case in point, Empire City - Night. Such a relaxing tune...
  • You want relaxing? Chun-Nan - Night. Woodwinds and piano come together to give you the ultimate ambiance.
  • Also, Holoska - Day; simply beautiful. Holoska (Night) is also quite lovely.
  • Shamar - Day, which mixes a vaguely Middle Eastern melody with flamenco guitar and some big band swing horn.
  • Empire City - Day ain't too shabby either. Feels just like walking across a street performer with a harmonica and some backup, don't it?
• The vs. Egg Dragoon music, easily the game's most awesome boss theme, and an embodiment of all of Eggman's lethal rage, hatred and desperation against Sonic.
• Tornado Defense - 2nd Battle. Sonic CD, anyone?
• Boss Battle - Night. Keep in fact that you're battling a Titan-sized phoenix, an eel the size of a Big Mother, or a shaman that's only barely taller than a Deep Nightmare, yet stronger than the Mid-bosses. Boss Battle - Day and vs. Titan & Big Mother are both equally awesome examples.
  • Also vs. Dark Gaia. That really intense, building string and horn section that plays as you're sprinting across the Gaia Colossus to attack Dark Gaia...yes.
• The scores from the cutscenes are also great:
  • Cutscene - Opening has this epic start as Sonic lands on Eggman's flagship and just starts tearing his way through the whole fleet and then transforms into Super Sonic without even breaking a sweat before Eggman reveals it was all a trick to drain Sonic and the Chaos Emeralds of their power.
  • Cutscene - Dark Gaia Appears, Cutscene - Shrines in Flight, and Cutscene - Hour of Awakening, which all play one after the other as Dark Gaia appears and Chip summons the Gaia Temples to gather to him to create the Gaia Colossus.
  • Cutscene - The Final Form frames the oppressive weight of Perfect Dark Gaia's presence, the whimsical and heroic fanfare as Sonic goes super, and the lead up to the final clash. The crescendo into a snippet of the theme as Sonic exclaims "Let's do this!" just screams that he's ready to rumble as much as the player.
• "Dear My Friend" brings tears to many an eye.

Episode I

• First, Sega released the theme for the first level of Sonic 4, Splash Hill Zone, and it is good. Splash Hill Zone Act 3 is more upbeat within the same atmosphere.
• Casino Street Act 1 is incredibly catchy, too. As is Act 3.
• Mad Gear Zone Act 1 is rather tense piece of music.
• Mad Gear Zone Act 3 is good when Advancing Wall of Doom is right behind you.
• Boss theme, which is a remixed version of the unused boss theme from Sonic 3D Blast. The Pinch version is also great.
• E.G.G Station Zone is a mechanical number to showcase the full strength of Eggman's army.
• Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 2. Lost Labyrinth Zone Act 1 is also great.

Episode II

• Metal Sonic's theme is a fast and electronic roller to show the power of this robot knockoff.
• Sylvania Castle ~ Act 2 and Act 3 both carry an air of the beginning of the adventure just like the old Sonic games.
• Sky Fortress ~ Act 1, a great track for a stage where you finally use the Tornado again.
• Then when you finally board the fortress itself, you get Sky Fortress Act 2, which sounds like it would be better used for Wily's Castle.
• Have a listen to Sky Fortress ~ Act 3 and hear the sheer high notes show how high up this zone is above ground.
• Death Egg mk.II just screams 'showdown'. It also plays for the entirety of the zone's first act, including during the only mid-stage boss fight in the game against Eggman and Metal Sonic up until the last fight/race against Metal Sonic alone, where the music switches to... the Genesis-ish remix of Stardust Speedway Bad Future.
• The final boss theme complements an equally awesome boss fight.
• Oil Desert has a really nice dark techno flare to it.
• White Park ~ Act 2 really fits the stage's theme of zipping back and forth between roller coasters at top speed. They also managed to cram part of the theme of Twinkle Park's Pleasure Castle section from Sonic Adventure in there, which is appropriate since that section of the stage opens with a roller coaster ride.

• We would say damn near everything, but that doesn't seem to do this soundtrack justice. Where to begin? How about with the orchestrated rendition of the main theme.
• The main theme, "Reach for the Stars", sung by Jean Paul Makhlouf, is an energetic and cheerful track that suits the more fun and lighthearted tone of the game. Bonus props to the more rock-based rearrangement in Sonic Colors Ultimate, which is arguably even better than the original. The DS version, played during the battle with Nega-Mother Wisp, is a truly fantastic 8-bit instrumental remix of "Reach For the Stars".
• Ditto the ending theme "Speak with Your Heart" in all its glory. Lots of autotune aside, it's a great techno-rock song that describes the friendship between Sonic and the Wisps, an almost happier version of "Dear My Friend".
• The main world map theme is a spectacle to hear for a view in space just above Earth.
• Tropical Resort – A suitably catchy first level, with map music to match.
• Sweet Mountain – A jazz-filled map theme, Act 1, and a unique spin with Act 2.
• Starlight Carnival – One of the best map themes, and then this. What more is there to say?
• Planet Wisp – Some lovely map music, and then sheer bliss with an unforgettable piano and a wicked bassline. Especially how the various act mixes start out relatively laid back and then get more and more industrial and beat-driven as the stage goes on and the technological parts of the stage become more prevalent.
  • While Acts 1 and 3 of Planet Wisp's remixes for Ultimate have gotten mixed reception for their heavier use of EDM, Act 2's Remix has been praised for using a trance-style beat to achieve the same ambiance that the original Planet Wisp songs had, but with its own unique twist, sounding almost like a completely different song at times.
• Aquarium Park – The entire zone's soundtrack can be summed up thus: Wutai-styled liquid Drum and Bass. Standouts include the map music, a fast-paced, yet relaxing Act 1, Act 2, and a piano-heavy Act 3. The rearrangement of act 1 in Sonic Colors Ultimate gives the track a Japanese flair well-suited to the zone's setting.
• Asteroid Coaster – Some eerily badass map music, and while Act 3 carries a lot of energy, Act 1 alone is absolute rock, pun not intended.
• The final zone, Terminal Velocity. Perfect for fast-paced endgame action. The second act, while only half a minute long, adds an extra layer.
• Three words: Orchestrated drowning music. It manages to bring Nightmare Fuel from the past into the present and still scare older Sonic players.
• There are no words to adequately describe the final boss music. Just listen. Also note that the first phase may very possibly be the only final boss music ever to feature taiko drumming.
• Even the Result music is fantastic. Consider it an epic reward for making it through a stage. And that was just a short rendition of the Title Screen music. That song gives you the thrill that you're about to embark on a grand adventure.
• The special stage theme from the DS version is just as frantic as the old previous special stage themes to urge you to get running along to the final point.
• The boss music for both Tropical Resort and Planet Wisp (vs. Rotatatron & Refreshinator), as well as for Starlight Carnival and Asteroid Coaster (vs. Orcan & Skullian). The first is great for fighting a threat in the park after suspecting something to be amiss (thought because of how easy it is, you might not hear the full track), and the second is a catchy rock song for beating (Wii/Ultimate) or eating (DS) a whole ship to death.
• The boss music for Sweet Mountain and Aquarium Park (vs. Captain Jelly & Admiral Jelly) is a great song for the more puzzle-like bosses instead of the usual "hit it until it's destroyed."
• Game Land 3, a remix of Starlight Carnival Act 1's music in a chiptune form, sounds like something straight out of the 8-bit era, and it's beautiful. Not that the other Game Land songs aren't great as well.
• "Gotta Go" by Gyom, which is used in the trailer for Ultimate, is a short, yet adrenaline-inducing rock tune.
• Rival Rush - vs. Metal Sonic from Ultimate sounds like the Japanese version of Stardust Speedway while still being an original track, making it perfect for a fun and upbeat race/mini-game.

• The main theme, "Wonder World", is GLORIOUS. It really gives you the feeling of exploring a whole new world completely different from ours.
• Windy Hill - Zone 2 is a very calming and bouncy tropical piece. Thank the flute.
• Dr. Eggman Showdown, used for the final boss battle. That fricking violin/guitar riff is made of pure awesomeness.
• Sea Bottom Segue, which is the calming and so very beautiful theme to Tropical Coast Zone 3 and Lava Mountain Zone 2.
• The crowning jewel of Sonic Lost World's soundtrack, the insanely catchy Honeycomb Highway, for Desert Ruins Zone 2.
• Desert Ruins - Zone 1 seems to be styled like a more extravagantly produced '60s surf rock number—think the popular version Dick Dale's "Misirlou", something to pump you up, with vaguely Egyptian-sounding guitar and horn riffs.
• This variant of the Deadly Six's leitmotif is insanely awesome, and it could potentially be one of the very few video game boss themes to use a banjo throughout. The Boss Rush variant also absolutely rocks.
• Sky Road - Zone 1's music seems to encapsulate the spirit of Lost World... You're on a journey through a strange, exotic, and beautiful land. And Dragon Dance, from Sky Road Zone 2, is a perfect song to serve as a prelude to your first fight against Zavok, feeling like you're flying through enemy territory, ready for a climactic final battle with your nemesis.
• Midnight Owl, from Silent Forest Zone 2, is perhaps the very first time a tango has appeared in a Sonic game and demonstrates that Sonic can handle ANY musical genre with mastery. The 3DS-exclusive "Bayou Drums" version takes this track and makes it even better and more energetic with added instruments.

• Much of the promotional videos for Sonic Mania uses the music of the artists Hyper Potions, which harkens back to the original 2D Sonic games that many fans remember and liked, compared to more recent 3D games where fans have had numerous gripes over:
  • The reveal trailer to the game has a beat that emulated back to the original games ("Checkpoint" by Hyper Potions). Even a cheery "SEGA!" echo in the background.
  • The intro animation is best described as a colorful throwback piece produced by comic bookwriter/artist Tyson Hesse coupled with the nostalgic beat provided by Hyper Potions, a song called "Friends." The song proved so popular that it was used to introduce Sonic in the Sonic movie.
• Have to go back where we started? Well, what better way for it than the nostalgic Genesis-style Act 1 of Green Hill Zone? The Act 2 version has the Palmtree Panic vibe to it.
• The ever-funky Chemical Plant Zone Act 1 is as catchy as, or even more catchy than, the Classic Generations version. The Act 2 Version adds electric piano and guitars to make it funkier than ever.
• The initial reveal of the game showed three different songs, and they quickly garnered an extreme amount of praise from the fanbase. The most popular of the three, however, is the theme of Studiopolis Zone Act 1 Lights, Camera, Action!. It's groovy. It's funky. It's got a Sonic CD vibe. And it's catchy as hell. The Act 2 theme, Prime Time follows suit in a fast pace.
• Feel like James Bond again? Flying Battery Zone Act 1 will give you an answer with more beats. Flying Battery Zone Act 2 gives the same deal which makes Eggman's airbase more sinister than before. Both themes feature new down-mixed sections that reduce the bass and creates an awesome-sounding crescendo when the main melody returns, and Act 2 in particular has an amazing trumpet solo at one point every other time the song loops.
• Press Garden Zone Act 1 (Tabloid Jargon) is very smooth yet hypnotic at the same time with added machine noises to fit in the press-paper factory. Press Garden Zone Act 2 (Blossom Haze) is a more relaxing and somewhat somber Japanese theme that feels like it was based on the Shinobi series.
• Stardust Speedway Zone Act 1 adds more beats and vocals to the past version making it mellow and relaxing. Stardust Speedway Zone Act 2 infuses its present counterpart with more jazz, funk and house tempos along with some elements from the good future version.
• The catchy tunes keeps going with Hydrocity Zone Act 1. The adrenaline rises up even more on the Act 2 version to confront Eggman again, who really isn't happy that you are using his own machine against him.
• Mirage Saloon Zone Act 2 (Rogue's Gallery). Fitting its Western theme, it layers traditional instruments (like trumpet, flute, piano, and even whistling) on top of a jamming dance beat. The two Act 1 themes are fitting for their scenarios; the theme for Sonic and Tails (Skyway Octane) is a fast-paced number befitting the aerial chase after Heavy Magician with a nod to Sky Chase Zone just before the track loops, while Knuckles's version (Wildstyle Pistolero) is a slower-paced version to follow his fighting his way through the desert. For a taste of how Mirage Saloon would have sounded if it were in a Genesis game, composer Tee Lopes has made his own "16-bit remix" of the Act 2 theme.
• The Oil Ocean Zone Act 1 theme is darker than the original. The Act 2 version will give you the chills by adding some Sandopolis Zone atmosphere.
• Lava Reef Zone Act 2 has added great guitar riffs to make it a smoother theme. The Act 1 theme is not too shabby either, adding a new bridge that occurs before the loop that plays certain notes slightly off-beat before the theme starts over again.
• Remixing the past version on Metallic Madness Zone with more jazz combined with a house and techno feel, and making it tame as a preparation against Eggman. Act 2 remixed the present version with added bad future elements. Both songs have a barely comprehensible yet catchy rap provided by Tee Lopes.
• Both themes for Titanic Monarch are amazing; the Act 1 theme, Built to Rule begins with some harpsichord notes and old dial-up internet sound effects before a powerful organ riff transitions into the song proper. It is very eerie, which is fitting for a base of Dr. Eggman, but the tempo at the end gives you a sense of hope! Act 2's theme, Steel Cortex is creepier and more industrial-sounding, and gives you a feeling that there will be a tough battle ahead!
• Super Sonic has his own theme again for the first time since Sonic 2 in the form of Glimmering Gift. And it is absolutely majestic, a super hero theme.
• The track to start off Encore Mode in the Plus expansion is a wonderful remix of Angel Island Act 1, which takes the shortened rearrangement briefly featured in the beginning of the main story mode and expands upon it to feature the rest of the track in all its tropical glory.
• All of the boss themes are awesome. Take your pick:
  • The mini-boss theme, Danger on the Dance Floor, is funk-tastic and reminiscent of Sonic 3's own mini boss theme.
  • The Hard-Boiled Heavies is gloriously funky, fast-paced and frantic. It seems to have been inspired by both versions of Knuckles' antagonistic theme from Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
  • Both of Eggman's themes, Ruby Delusions and Havoc Prognosis are intense and amazing, with the first one in particular inserting his Evil Laugh a la Sonic CD.
  • Chemical Plant Zone Act 2 has its own boss theme, due to being an Unexpected Gameplay Change (mild spoilers): a remix of the 2-player theme from Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, aka the final boss theme from the original Puyo Puyo.
  • To go along with his return, Metal Sonic gets a bombastic remix of Stardust Speedway Bad Future, the signature piano now being accompanied with a funky bass and brazen horns, all of which just tells you he's ready for a rematch.
  • The final boss theme Ruby Illusions theme sounds menacing and badass, and even manages to include a bit of the Sonic 3 final boss theme.
  • The True Final Boss in Egg Reverie gets an epic theme that complements the sort-of three-way battle going on, with Sonic, Eggman, and the Phantom King all fighting over the Phantom Ruby. As an added bonus, the song borrows the chorus from "Fist Bump" to tie it in with Forces and the theme only gets more epic when it enters Boss Pinch Mode...or it would if it wasn't a Cut Song.

• Fans were clamoring to hear more of Justice - Park Avenue ever since the first gameplay footage of the Custom Hero dropped, and they were not let down by its inspirational tone and lyrics.
• Out of nowhere, another track was introduced for a level that had yet to be properly revealed, Moonlight Battlefield - Aqua Road, which features a very somber piano score, beautiful chimes, and gorgeous sounding vocals.
• The Death Egg battle theme. A dramatic song for a dramatic fight.
• Metropolitan Highway features a leisurely techno beat that harkens back to Grand Metropolis from Sonic Heroes.
• Fighting Onward - Space Port, which plays as the Avatar makes their way through a re-purposed Chemical Plant Zone right after the Downer Beginning and has the perfect bittersweet feeling. Really sets the tone for the fight the Avatar is about to enter in the war on Eggman.
• "Fist Bump", the main theme of the game, sounds amazing, as if it were made for an anime...and this is just the instrumental version. The vocal theme retains all of the awesomeness of the instrumental version mixed in with some of the series' trademark deliciously cheesy lyrics, very reminiscent of Sonic Heroes' main theme. There's also a piano version of the theme that sounds like it belongs in some of the game's more emotional moments. Whenever "Fist Bump" suddenly kicks in as Sonic and the Avatar activate their Double Boost, you know stuff's about to go down. There's also a somber yet beautiful piano rendition.
• The title screen theme conveys a sense of worry to set the stage for the near-desperate story to claim back the world from Eggman's control. This also returns with more electronic beats as the Resistance's theme also loaded with a feeling of valour to describe Knuckles' La Résistance team striving to fight back.
• Episode Shadow remixes a few nostalgic tracks from the Ultimate Lifeform's past appearances. Enemy Territory brings back the theme from Westopolis with Radical Highway mixed in, appropriately enough for a city that was already decimated by the antagonists.
  • Eggman's Facility brings back "Rhythm and Balance" which still packs in the same air of desperation and dread, only this time, it sound rather disorienting to simulate Shadow's situation.
  • Virtual Reality brings back "Supporting Me" with electronic instrumentation to hammer in Infinite's ability to warp reality itself along with the vocals reeking of determination.
  • As if Episode Shadow wasn't awesome enough, his episode has awesome and unexpected remixes of songs from past titles, including "Supporting Me" and "Rhythm and Balance" from Sonic Adventure 2, and the menu theme and Westopolis from Shadow the Hedgehog.
• All of the Custom Avatar stages have some good vocal tracks, like "Nowhere to Run" (Prison Hall's theme), "Fighting Onward" (Spaceport's theme), and "Virtual Enemies" (Capital City's theme).
  • "Justice" (Park Avenue's theme) revives lyrical songs, with a catchy rhythm.
  • Ladies and gents, we present "Moonlight Battlefield" (Aqua Road's theme). A beautiful techno piece.
  • "Fading World" (Imperial Tower's theme) is a Eurobeat-inspired tune with lyrics befitting the coming final battle.
• Arsenal Pyramid, while short gameplay wise, is an epic take on an exhilarating rush through Eggman's army after the Avatar has been united with Sonic. Entering the pyramid? A head-banging Trance as you take one of the many methods to completing the level.
• Mortar Canyon has a Crisis City-esque vibe in it.
• Sunset Heights holds a very appropriate kind of sound for the kind of level it's named after. It also later gets reused for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate alongside Fist Bump.
• Egg Gate's theme is appropriate for an epic jailbreak out of the Death Egg. The music used for the small Star Wars shoutout is epic, too.
• Both parts of Network Terminal, Modern Sonic's level in the Chemical Plant, help to add to the mood as you infiltrate the Chemical Plant. Better yet, the faster, dramatic first part and slower, more jazzy second part help to set the mood for each section of the level.
• "Infinite", the Villain Song for the eponymous character, is an appropriately sinister rap Industrial Metal and Nu Metal hybrid composition, highlighting just how dangerous he is and how much of a threat he poses to Sonic. If you can't get past the overly-edgy lyrics, it can at least be enjoyed for its massive amount of Narm Charm. There are also its remixes, used during the first, second and third boss fights with him.
• This time around, Classic Sonic's music was done with an actual FM synth to give it an authentic Genesis feel. It sticks out like a sore thumb from the rest of the game's soundtrack, but it's catchy enough that we're willing to forgive it:
  • Ghost Town is a funky tune that sounds like something out of a '70s spy movie.
  • Green Hill gets a completely new song that takes cues from Rooftop Run and Windy Hill.
  • The music for Classic Sonic's fight with Eggman captures the New Jack Swing style of the classic games, even when it kicks into high gear during the second phase.
  • Casino Forest is a jazzy tune that wouldn't be out of place in Bonanza Bros..
  • Chemical Plant's new music takes heavy cues from Sonic 3's MJ-influenced soundtrack, particularly Angel Island Act 2. This version of Chemical Plant would receive a new arrangement for Sonic Rumble, and fan reception is unanimous: the jazz fusion instrumentation elevates this song to a whole new level. That also goes for the frenetic Final Round version of the theme.
  • The Death Egg's music is frantic and fast-paced, with a somewhat Egyptian feel to it, oddly enough.
  • Fist Bump gets a nice Genesis styled cover for the invincibility power up and it sounds good.
• The Metal Sonic boss theme is an intense techno-rock remix of the Stardust Speedway Bad Future theme from Sonic CD's North American soundtrack, fitting for one of Sonic's deadliest foes. It's also a moment of vindication for those who feel like the North American soundtrack for CD doesn't get enough love.
• Zavok's boss theme from Lost World gets a remix here, and the faster pace and techno instruments make it sound far more threatening this time around.
• The London Symphony Orchestra were hired to perform music for the game, and it all sounds phenomenal.
• The Final Boss battle has three themes for each of its forms.
  • Phase 1 is a foreboding retro-style piece with ominous chanting in the background for your first foray with a nigh-unstoppable foe.
  • Phase 2 sounds even more foreboding, and carries a hint of desperation as your opponent becomes even more dangerous.
  • Phase 3 sounds as though the battle is hopeless at first... then the drums kick in. Then the guitar. Then Orchestral Bombing and Autobots, Rock Out! kick into full effect: this is a song for those who believe there's nothing in the world they can't do.
• The credits song "Light of Hope" is truly an Award-Bait Song that brought tears.
• Null Space isn't heard much in the game itself, which is a shame because it is a hauntingly beautiful track, a melancholy piece that wouldn't sound out of place in Metroid Prime.

• Hot off the heels of the Cyber Space levels from Frontiers, Rintaro Soma returns with the first act of Pinball Carnival Zone. Between the Sonic CD-style New Jack Swing vibes and the usage of both digitized voice clips and a catchy piano, Studiopolis Act 1's influence is pretty keenly felt — not that that's really a complaint, as Rintaro uses those elements alongside a few of his own touches (such as opening the track with the distinct sound of pinball flippers) to create a jammin' introduction to Superstars' own take on the casino/carnival zone.
• Tee Lopes arranges a medley of all three acts of Speed Jungle Zone:
  • Act 1, composed by Lopes himself, is a bouncy, energetic track with some fittingly jungle-y synths perfect for a speedy run through the jungle.
  • Sonic's character-exclusive act features music by Chain Chronicle composer Takahiro Kai. Befitting the darker atmosphere of the act, Kai's track is a moodier affair, but still keeps the pace nice and fast.
  • Act 2 features the surprise introduction of Like a Dragon series music director and Super Monkey Ball and F-Zero GX composer Hidenori Shoji, who draws on his Monkey Ball expertise for an airy techno track that suits this act's rainy, foggy weather.
• Fang Mk. II, Fang's theme when fought as the Final Boss of Trip's story, serves as a Call-Back to the synth-heavy themes of Sonic Advance and showcases that this time, It's Personal between Trip and Fang.
• The atmospheric Lagoon City Zone 2 combines elements from Aqua Lake, Tidal Tempest, Rusty Ruin, and even the Land of Darkness all flowing together into one melancholic, yet soothing melody.
• Sand Sanctuary Zone 1 is so danceworthy, filled with many upbeat trumpets and suave Arabian flutes and Spanish guitars you'd think it was composed by Jake Kaufman himself.
• Press Factory Zone, composed by Tee Lopes and Jun Senoue:
  • Act 1 is an upbeat industrial theme with a bouncy climax and strong elements of Mad Gear Zone Act 1.
  • Act 2 is a darker, moodier, and foreboding synth-heavy track that fits perfectly with the Stalked by the Bell nature of the act.
• Cyber Station Zone is an energetic, triumphant-sounding track with just the right amount of techno sound effects and a very catchy climax.
• Egg Fortress Zone, by Jun Senoue:
  • Act 1 is a fast, aggressive track with a driving beat reminiscent of Final Fortress and equally befitting The Very Definitely Final Dungeon of the game.
  • Act 2 uses an electric guitar that sounds oddly warped but with a similar underlying melody as Act 1. Fitting, as you're playing Act 1 in reverse.
• The Final Boss Theme. An epic, 2-and-a-half minute showcase of modern synths complete with constant intimidating energy even in its softer parts, occasional breaks that sound like they're glitching, parts so erratic they feel like they're in reverse, even vocals. Eggman truly means business this time.

• The Sleeping Egg Zone music is just one of many catchy songs in this game.
• The Boss and Final Boss themes are both amazing works of 8 bit glory.
  • The prototype versions of the final boss theme are aggressive remixes of the boss theme with 713 adding chimes to the first part of melody.
• The main Electric Egg zone theme is good, if a bit mellow for a final zone. The third act has its own unique track which is even better, although you will probably have to wait instead of running straight to the boss if you want to hear the whole thing.
• The original version of Sunset Park Act 3, at a higher pitch than the one used in Triple Trouble, unused in game.
• The Turquoise Hill Zone music is catchy, and there's a Generations style "classic" remix here.
• Aqua Planet Zone is so smooth that it almost makes you look forward to an underwater level.

• The Sunset Park Zone Act 3 music from Sonic Triple Trouble, on top of being awesome, caught off guard many players who completed Act 2 and didn't expect the game to immediately segue into Act 3, with no end-of-stage bonus screen or title card in between. The Act 1 & Act 2 theme counts as well.
• Atomic Destroyer Zone has a frantic melody, fitting for Eggman's latest superweapon.
• The Final Boss theme goes for a militaristic mood, perfectly setting the stage for the doctor's three-phase finale.
• Fang/Nack's theme is rapid and crafty as this hunter is; even the music gets crazy.

• The music in Knuckles' Chaotix makes the game worth playing, even if you're not a fan of the mechanics – case in point: the intro level theme, Door Into Summer.
• Marina Madness' mesmerizing music, Seascape.
• Midnight Greenhouse, the theme for Botanic Base, has a very groovy and laidback tone, which fits perfectly if your partner is Vector the Crocodile.
• Needs more Surging Power. Best invincibility music ever.
• Speed of Sound is a fast paced and energetic theme that is befitting of its name.
• This Horizon is a really great theme for the title screen.
• Labyrinth, the theme for Amazing Arena, when the lights are off, gives the zone a very eerie and mysterious vibe upon entering it. By contrast, the theme that plays when the lights are turned on, New Moon, is a lot more upbeat and fun.
• Tube Panic is by far one of the best Special Stage themes in the series, with its upbeat, frenetic sound making for an excellent mad dash for the Chaos Rings.
• Suprise!, the theme for the penultimate Metal Sonic boss fight.
• Oriental Legend, the hard-hitting theme song for the final showdown against Metal Sonic's One-Winged Angel form.
• The ominous Bad Ending theme, Destructive Power, perfectly nails how badly you messed up, while the Good Ending Theme Just Another Day revisits all the lovely music.

Genesis/Mega Drive Version

The 16-bit version of Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island, soundtracked by Jun Senoue, has some tunes just as good as the technically superior Saturn version:

• Panic Puppet Act 1 and both acts of Green Grove were awesome enough that they got rearranged into Sonic Adventure's Twinkle Park, Emerald Coast, and Windy Valley, respectively.
• And the final boss theme was just epic.
• Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2. At least this game has some awesome music, even if it has some issues with the mechanics (Sonic and isometric projection don't mix well).
• Volcano Valley Act 2 matches the atmosphere of the zone with a dark, foreboding memory and pulsating drums, with a somber, bittersweet climax. Act 1 shares the same melody, but is much faster and more intense.
• The epic Gene Gadget, a very long, moody, and intricate industrial piece with a superb combination of bass and synth.
• Panic Puppet Act 2, a hectic song that puts the "panic" in Panic Puppet. It fits it being The Very Definitely Final Dungeon, with a hopeful and positive-sounding climax.
• The circus-sounding early boss theme, which ended up getting used in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.
• Every normal zone has a remix for Act 2. Green Grove has three remixes for Act 2, taking over 4 minutes to get through. Because of a bug, though, the longer you listen to it, the quieter one part gets, until it's basically an extra set of remixes.

Saturn & PC Versions

• The Saturn/PC version of Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island has an incredible soundtrack, composed by Richard Jacques. Highlights include Green Grove Act 2, Rusty Ruin Act 2, and Volcano Valley Act 1. Simply put, Richard Jaques is a phenomenal composer.
• The Special Stage theme starts with a glorious fanfare before going on a chaotic theme which fits Sonic's crazy race in the half-pipes.
• Gene Gadget. Act 1 sounds like a techno dance party while Act 2 goes for a more subdued melody that emphasises the techno aspects while using "You're My Hero" as a backing track.
• The boss music which is just made all the more epic by Robotnik's laugh in the background. And the final boss theme as well.
• Panic Puppet Zone, Act 2. Once this theme plays, you know stuff's gonna get real. Act 1 is also seriously good, with its threatening techno and piano-backed thumping beat.
• "You're My Hero", the Saturn version's absolutely Heartwarming vocal ending theme, which doubles as a Recurring Riff in the zone tracks.

• Red Volcano Zone has a sweet hip-hop rhythm that was pulled off nicely despite the limits of the Game Gear/Master System sound chip.
• Green Hill Zone is probably the most beautifully composed opening zone song to appear on the Game Gear.
• Blue Marine Zone has a very mellow piece of music that makes you feel like going underwater. It's the perfect tune for getting your feet wet.

Sonic Advance

• Considering the original Sonic Advance is considered the Spiritual Successor of the classic Sonic games on Genesis/Mega Drive, the music has to be up to par as well, and it well was up to that prestigious level with tracks like the Egg Rocket Zone.
  • The Egg Rocket's Zone's "Act 2", the Cosmic Angel Zone, kicks it up a notch.
  • The Cosmic Angel boss theme isn't bad either.
• Secret Base Zone Act 1 is a bright jazzy piece that's evocative of the music of James Bond.
• There's also Casino Paradise Act 1 and Act 2. Dig the awesome jazz piano solos.
• Ice Mountain's themes may be a bit more basic than later ice themed levels in the Advance series, but they both hit JUST right to remind you about how much fun snow can be with their Christmas-y vibes, even as Ice Mountain may be That One Level.
• Neo Green Hill Zone Act 1 from the first game oozes with nostalgia. Act 2 is just plain awesome.
• The theme for Mecha Knuckles. Definitely gives you a sense of urgency, huh?
• The music for the final boss in X-Zone. Why they didn't put this on the in-game soundtrack is anybody's guess.
• The theme of the Super Egg Robo in the Moon Zone, filled with tons of Orchestral Bombing.
• Sonic Advance Invincibility. Sound familiar? Interestingly, they were going to use a different Invincible song, but they decided to go nostalgic, and instead it went to be used in Sonic Advance 2 and 3.
• Egg Rocket Theme has oddly calming chimes and a peaceful rhythm for such a difficult level. Despite such, there is still a palpable sense of urgency.

Sonic Advance 2

• The "aerial-feeling" Boss Battle theme really fits the game's "Get Back Here!" Boss nature.
• Boss Pinch. If this isn't awesome, nothing is.
• The Knuckles Boss theme is a sinister techno theme that is only heard when fighting Egg Saucer as Sonic for first time.
• Techno Base is an amazing song on its own, but it gets even more impressive when you realize that they made the GBA, a gaming system with a slightly more advanced soundchip than the SNES, produce full-on ACID TECHNO with a clear amen break sample in the second act. Truly an impressive feat.
• Egg Utopia has a lot of electronic beeps mixed with what sounds almost like a horn or trumpet, all atop a fast, thumping bass line. It's very danceable and meshes perfectly with the futuristic theme of the final level.
• Leaf Forest Act 1 (Act 2) was essentially Sega telling you to gear up for one HELL of a game.
• Hot Crater Act 1 (Act 2) manages to make techno fit squarely with a Lethal Lava Land aesthetic, and is an absolute blast.
• Sky Canyon Act 1 (Act 2) gives off a very fitting "high-flying" feel.
• Music Plant. MUSIC PLANT. It was like Electroplankton before Electroplankton even existed.
• Both Acts of Ice Paradise. Act 1 is an icy-sounding track that goes well with the Zone's snowy cityscape, while Act 2 throws in a Christmas vibe
• This heart-racing piece that plays during Sonic's tense rescue of Vanilla, which really captures just how desperate and down-to-the-wire the game's finale is.
• The Final Boss theme is pretty damn intimidating, even if the boss itself doesn't quite live up to it.

Sonic Advance 3

• The theme for Sunset Hill, essentially a remix of the Green Hill Zone at higher pitch.
• "Twinkle Snow". Twinkle Snow Act 2 gives a beautiful song a rendition which just makes you want to go run on the snowy roads.
• Route 99 is all around best way to set you for the game's awesomeness. Act 3 starts impressively with a synth made sound like a guitar-riff. Very cool, even for GBA's standards. And it's good to hear Sonic Generations hasn't forgotten about it with a remix of Act 1 for one of the missions in the game.
• Everything for Chaos Angel: Acts 1, 2, 3, the boss, and the final bosses. Sheer awesome, and very good at conveying the sense that you are gonna die. Frequently. Imagine what they could have done with better sound quality... The fast-pacing Modern remix of Act 3 and Classic remix of Act 1 also count.
• The Opening. Words don't do it justice. Here's an alternate version of that opening, that plays before the true final boss.
• The frantic-sounding boss battle theme is backed up by psychotic drumming. The Pinch version was just as great.
• The map themes for Ocean Base and Cyber Track are really cool, even according to someone who doesn't usually like 8-bit music.
• Nonaggression Zone's theme is an epic, fast-paced remix of Emerl's leitmotif from Sonic Battle, fitting for when Super Sonic and Dr. Eggman team up to face Ultimate Gemerl.
• The Golden Ending theme is probably the happiest end theme in the entire franchise.

• The Credits theme for the Final Story especially due to its slow pace. The credits theme for the other stories is a shorter, more exciting piece.

• Say what you want about Shadow, but it also has great music. "I Am... All of Me", "Never Turn Back", "Chosen One", and "Waking Up". "I Am... All of Me" is essentially Shadow accepting what he is, and then basically daring Black Doom to control him and use him as his pawn as planned.
• "All Hail Shadow" is a blaring tune which praises the hedgehog for being edgy.
  • The Magna Fi version is an equally rocking tune capturing Shadow's ferociousness.
  • The Hybrid Mix reveals Shadow's combat prowess and drive to win in loud rock and metal.
  • The song received the Orchestral Bombing treatment as part of the Sonic Symphony, which carried over into Shadow Generations for its Final Boss battle to serve as the capstone to Shadow's campaign, and his character development.
• The player can only hear it once in the game, but the music that plays when Shadow becomes Super Shadow is nothing short of godly. It begins as a remix of "I Am...All of Me", but then switches to something even more familiar... a remix of "Live and Learn". A slightly more electronic-sounding version shows up as Shadow's All-Star theme in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and it's just as great as the original.
• "E.G.G.M.A.N.", Dr. Eggman's theme from Adventure 2, received a sweet remix. It's a good first impression from Bentley Jones, who contributed to other songs later in the series.
• The Doom is ridiculously awesome, as are Lost Impact and Cosmic Fall.
  • Westopolis is the very first level, and it definitely gives the vibe of wanting to run away very quickly. Considering the surroundings it succeeds very well.
  • And Lethal Highway also wins in terms of wanting to make you do the opposite and chase something down.
• Rounding out the list with Digital Circuit, Central City, GUN Fortress, Black Bull... in fact, just go look up all the stage themes or something. Chances are unimaginably slim that you'll find one that isn't awesome, let alone a bad one. Regarding Digital Circuit, here's the unreleased "original" version and remix version.
• Sky Troops, Air Fleet, Space Gadget, The Ark, Lava Shelter, and Circus Park are all great tracks for entering the sky and beating up some foes who try to hold you down. For the very latter, the unreleased version is more slow and makes the circus tone more intimidating.
• It's easy to miss this one. Prison Island is great, though the music doesn't quite match the level. The Black Comet theme is a supposed remix of it, which may give off some "bad future" vibes for any Sonic CD fans.
• Death Ruins and Mad Matrix are both epic rock tunes that pump up the player for entering Eggman's fortress and battling his creations, similar to Sky Deck from Sonic Adventure.
• "Almost Dead" by Powerman 5000. If the other songs didn't scream "Ow, the edge", then this song will with its dark and gritty lyrics.
• Also the lost tracks: "Broken" by Sins of a Divine Mother was to be used, but since they couldn't find one of the members to get permission, two of the others formed A2 and did Chosen One. Magna-Fi also have another song, "Who I Am".
• m-flo's remix of "Tripod Baby" to promote the game. Despite not matching up with the tone of the game, it's a catchy hip-hop track.
• The Black Doom battle theme embodies everything Shadow went through and him finally turning on his evil creator.
• The final zone of the villain route, G.U.N. Fortress captures the somber and hopeless tone of the level. Shadow has given in to the Black Arms and he's resolute in that fact.
• Being the final zone of the pure hero route, Final Haunt's music parallels the pure dark route by oozing with this resolute, uplifting, and groovy confidence, while being very catchy.

Sonic Rush

• The soundtrack was composed by Hideki Naganuma of Jet Set Radio fame, with additional tracks (e.g cutscene music) by Teruhiko Nakagawa. Standouts include "Back 2 Back", "Get Edgy", "What U Need", "Right There, Ride On", and "Wrapped in Black". The vocals on the latter track (namely, the "Too black, too strong" line) are provided by Malcolm X from a 1963 speech, "Message to the Grassroots".
• "Jeh Jeh Rocket", "Metal Scratchin'", and "A New Day" are awesome for Sonic's stages. The first is a disco track with vocals that almost sound like rap, the second mixes hip hop with guitars, and the third is a simple mix that managed to get people not to break their DS in half during the bonus stages.
• "Vela-Nova" plays during the Duel Boss between Sonic and Blaze, and could count as Blaze's theme. It's a smooth, jazzy song with a bit of tension to let you know you're battling a foe with the same strength as you. The OST version adds sensual vocals in the background.
• "Ethno Circus", which plays in Mirage Desert, is a snazzy that somehow makes typical music for a Shifting Sand Land sound good as hip-hop.
• Aw, heck, since we've covered all the other boss themes, throw in "Bomber Barbara" as well. The constant repetition of the phrase "FEELIN' ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND'!" encapsulates the gameplay of Sonic Rush.
• "Ska Cha Cha", a funky and hyper song that fits the fast fun of Night Carnival.
• "Theme of Sonic's Event" is a break from his rock genre to a more chill and carefree track that shows his nature of helping others.
• "Metamorphosis", which is sadly not included in the soundtrack, plays when Sonic and Blade turn into their Super Mode. Unlike other power-up songs, which are mostly examples of Theme Music Power-Up, this one has shades of old-school Super Sentai transformation music.
• "Get Edgy Blaze Version" has more bass to it and adds more to the tension of accomplishing your goal.
• A "Digital Remakin' Trax" version of Ethno Circus exists, but was sadly not featured on the OST due to space limitations. Regardless, it's just as snazzy as the original, with a few synths added in the background.
• Even the short jingles are catchy; just try Groove Rush #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, or #7. Despite each being less than 10 seconds, one can't help but want to get up and start doing break dances to them.
• The E3 version of Leaf Storm's theme is also a very catchy tune in the vein of the Advance games. Apparently, the team liked it enough to keep it as a short jingle in the final game called "Enemy or Friend?"
• "Raisin' Me Up" plays in the game's true ending. Thought you'd never hear Gospel music in a Sonic game? Well, there you are, and of course it slaps.

Sonic Rush Adventure

While Hideki Naganuma didn't return, the composers (Tomoya Ohtani, Mariko Nanba, Seirou Okamoto) did a good job of imitating his style while giving it their own spin.

• The main theme and Marine's Theme, "A New Venture", whose cheery tropical tune will put a sunny smile on your face. The Surfin' S.R.A. remix is much faster and more upbeat, and also awesome.
• Plant Kingdom Act 1 and Act 2 feel like a spiritual successor to "Right There, Ride On" from the first game, but with its own fun, unique feel, and is a perfect opening song for the first two levels of the game.
• Haunted Ship Act 1 and Act 2 work very well for the spookier vibe of the Haunted Ship stages.

Sonic and the Secret Rings

• Sonic and the Secret Rings's Arabian-themed music was off the hook, especially the main theme, Seven Rings In Hand.
• Then there's the Sand Oasis theme, Let the Speed to Mend It—awesome from start to finish.
• Evil Foundry's fantastically fiery theme, The Place That Was Found. WHO'S GONNA ROCK THE PLACE? PLACE? PLACE?
• The music for Levitated Ruin, High and Broken. Easily the best track in the game.
• No Way Through practically embodies the feeling of terminal dread on the high seas found within Pirate Storm. When Sinbad convinced Sonic that the Arabian Nights are filled with endless adventure, this theme proves he wasn't kidding.
• Unawakening Float, an epic track for Night Palace.
• It Has Come to This, for the Erazor Djinn bossfight is a tense theme to urge you and Sonic to defeat this wacko djinn once and for all with everything you've got.

Sonic and the Black Knight

Sonic and the Black Knight's soundtrack brought the return of Crush 40, who didn't fail to impress. Then again, Jun Senoue is the composer and part of the music department for Sega in general, so...

• Knight of the Wind is an awesome Power Metal song with an epic mix of guitars and violins. The acoustic version.
• The most awesome remix of "It Doesn't Matter" ever. The most beautiful remix of "It Doesn't Matter" (SA2 version) ever.
• Misty Lake— essentially an all strings version of "Knight of the Wind". With epic violin.
• The insanely awesome Molten Mine music by Tommy Tallarico... which is itself a rearrangement of the "Action Theme" his former employee Todd Dennis composed for the completely-unrelated-to-Sonic game Black Dawn. Not that it's a bad thing... right?
• Fight the Knight is an epic track that sums up both Sonic and King Arthur's willingness to fight each other over the fate of the kingdom.
• Through the Fire, which plays during the battles with Lancelot, Gawain, and Percival, is a short but awesome anthem about taking down your foes.
• Then there's the actual final boss theme with guitar work from ex-Megadeth bandmate Marty Friedman. "With Me" by All Ends. Of course, Crush 40 covered it as well. Here are both together for the extra awesome.
• Last, but certainly not least, the credits theme — another Crush 40 song — Live Life, a Carpe Diem song that'll have you in tears.

• The Boss Theme tends to be overlooked but it's quite catchy.
• Lava Powerhouse. Holy shit.
• Toxic Caves is a great piece of music to start the first level with.
• The Sonic The Hedgehog Boom album included four remixes of songs from Sonic Spinball. While Toxic Caves and Lava Powerhouse remixes that are excellent in their own right, the title track and Flight to the Pinball Fortress were expanded into full-on songs and they sound amazing.^note The main theme and Toxic Caves, under the name "Return To Toxic Caves", would also be featured on the Virtual Sonic album.

• The sinister final boss theme is fitting for a young fox to be facing off against two bosses.

• The second level theme sounds very funky and is a nice listen.
• The third level theme is also very funky.
• The level clear theme. Shame it only lasts 10 seconds.
• The bonus stage. Shame you only hear it once and for a few seconds.
• The boss intro is very frantic and fast paced.
• Boss battle theme. Same goes for the Final boss.

• Living In The City and its Instrumental version is a delightful and energetic song that really captures the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere, with a hint of hope and joy.
• The game's main theme, Super Sonic Racing, and its Instrumental version. Energetic, happy, and perfect at building up hype to race.
• Can You Feel the Sunshine and its Instrumental version, a wonderfully sunny tune to go with the first stage of the game.
• The DS version of Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing brought us this awesome remix of "Can You Feel the Sunshine".
• Sonic Generations remix of Super Sonic Racing with a very appropriate tech update.

• For its other flaws, this game has some good music; Blizzard Coast for example.
• Wave Taste and Pig City. Fun Fun Sonic and Sonic DJ respectively, two of the small handful of unique minigames that even the Mario Party series can't compete with.

General

• Jet's theme, "Catch Me If You Can", also by runblebee (Riders, Zero Gravity), mixes in Badass Boast with I Shall Taunt You, and great rapping.
• "Theme of Babylonian" and "Legend of Babylonian" are two calm, mystical tracks for the Babylon Rogues, the latter of which was reprised multiple times in Zero Gravity':
  • The Divine Wings, where the origins of he Gravity Rings are explained.
  • Give Me the Power, which plays as Jet tries to get more power to defeat Eggman.

Sonic Riders

• The main theme, "Sonic Speed Riders", performed by runblebee (who would go on to do some other Sonic main themes, most notably the entire Sonic Storybook Series), sets the mood of the game straight from the beginning.
• Sand Ruins would make for an excellent Prince of Persia battle theme due to the Arabesque influence.
• SEGA Carnival, arguably one of the best tracks in the game, would not sound out of place in an actual carnival, and for good reason: the level celebrates the history of Sega up to that point.
• Metal City, with its fast-paced techno beat that's both invigorating and hella catchy, works very well for weaving in and out of the hovercar traffic in a futuristic city.
• Digital Dimension doubles as the final boss theme. It's full of mystical, echoing riffs and relentless pumping bass that gets the adrenaline raging.
• High Flying Groove starts off slow and then transitions into a fast, pounding techno beat that wouldn't be out of place in the Coolest Club Ever.
• Egg Factory takes some cues from Sonic Unleashed by combining menacing and villainous with catchy.
• Green Cave is a weird sort of catchy, with mystical chants backed up with the usual techno.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

• Another main theme, "Un-Gravitify", as well as the Electro Extended Mix. And, of course, the Crush 40 Cover reworks the techno main theme into a face-melting rock anthem.
• Through Traffic which, along with the situation Sonic's been thrown into during the story mode visit to Megalo Station, acts as a very effective opener for the story. The music feels even more at home when applied to Nightside Rush.
• Aquatic Time, a groovy track with nice beats and a piano melody that matches the atmosphere of the Aquatic Capital and stormy Tempest Waterway stages.
• Sealed Ground, a song with a very mystical tone to it that suits the more intense and mysterious Gigan Rocks and Gigan Device stages.
• Dive Into Gravity, the theme for Crimson Crater and Security Corridor, has a more futuristic theme than the other tracks.
• The Core. Even with all of the awesome music in the Sonic series, it's rare to get a song as incredibly powerful and triumphant as this. Additionally, the Gravity Control musical cue far and away is the best one in the game, making every instance of Gravity Control set to it into something grander than it actually is...
• Blast Town is a funky and jazzy song that brings to mind Jet Set Radio and suits the more urban, retro vibe for the SEGA love letter stages 80s Boulevard and 90s Boulevard.
• Multi Attack is already catchy, but when the strings kick in, it really becomes epic.
• Gadget Round for MeteoTech Premises and MeteoTech Sparkworks matches the gameplay with the music by adding spots for people to use gravity and burst forward.

Sonic Free Riders

• This game's main theme, "Free", performed by Chris Madin. And the Crush 40 version.
• Among the track themes, which are mostly instrumental, the Hideki Naganuma-style themes, with the samples and all, stand out:
  • The theme of Rocky Ridge, not "Shake it Baby", is a rare fusion of country and funk, yet very jaunty. It's often mistaken for a work of Hideki Naganuma, one of the most well-regarded video game composers (it's actually composed by newcomer Koji Sakurai).
  • The theme of Metropolis Speedway, not "I'm Still a Believer", a mellow yet grooving rock song that evokes the adventurous city feeling.
• The theme of Dolphin Resort is a tropical sounding song with themes of Electronic Music, great for riding through the waves and jumping on dolphins.
• The theme of Final Factory is a synth track that mixes in guitars for the metal factory you're riding through. It even became Wave's theme in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

• From Sonic Chronicles comes Super Ix. At least there's the mid-boss version.
• The opening theme (of which a variation plays when getting ambushed in battles) is actually great, as are the battle themes.
• The regular boss battle sounds clean and fine.

Rise of Lyric

• Rise of Lyric features sweeping orchestral pieces that, while perhaps not catchy in that traditional Sonic sense, are quite beautiful and atmospheric. For example, Cliff's Excavation Site has a ethereal theme that inspires a sense of discovery and awe.
• The first theme of The Pit is quite unnerving.
• The final boss theme is a dark reprise of the main theme, something rather familiar to those who have played the post-06 games.

Shattered Crystal

• Shattered Crystal has more typical Sonic-y tunes, such as the energetic Seaside Beach 1.

Fire and Ice

• Fire and Ice continues the trend of Sonic-y music begun by Shattered Crystal with even bouncier and fast-paced tunes. Probably one of the best tracks is the upbeat and atmospheric Gothic Castle near the end of the game.

• "End of The Summer" is friggin' beautiful, almost like an anime theme.
• "Beyond The Speed Of.." for Windy Hill Zone. A nice, energetic way to start the game.
• "Going My Way". Unusually understated, but still quite nice for an invincibility jingle.
• "Theory Of Attack" for Vs. Eggman, an upbeat and rocking tune that's still fun.
• "Where To Today?" for the Menu/Map/Results music. Not bad for something you'll be hearing dozens of times.

• Green Light Ride as the opening theme really catches the ear, especially if you do the Time Attack mode which has the extended theme. There is even a remix for when you're customising your car which keeps the awesomeness factor. Welcome back, Crush 40.
• Wisp Circuit is a great rock-centric song to start the track selection off with.
• Sky Road, one of the original tracks, reflects the heavenly and bouncy feeling of racing through the skies and clouds above Spagonia.
• Ice Mountain, an energetic remix of Holoska - Cool Edge guest-starring the instruments and melody of Reach for the Stars.
• Bingo Party takes the intensity of Bingo Highway and adds a heavy supporting guitar and a manic chiptune bridge.
• The ominous Haunted Castle is another original track that combines the traditional Adventure-era rock stylings with spooky classical orchestra music.
• Boo's House, a fast-paced techno and rock guitar-based remix of Sandopolis Act 2, backed up with a whimsical-yet-sinister sitar and bridged by elements of Shrouded Forest.
• It is nearly impossible NOT to headbang along with Frozen Junkyard: Final Lap. It's fast paced and has an absolutely beautiful electric guitar going from low to high that could energize the car you're driving in all on its own.
• Fittingly for the final track in the game, Turbine Loop revives the dark and ominous theme of Final Fortress with heavy-hitting rock guitars and fast-paced techno beats.
• Jun Senoue contributed to the Apple Arcade version of the game, Sonic Racing, with a brand new rocking remix of "Beyond the Speed Of..." from Sonic Runners, that adds a ton of extra energy into an already upbeat and energetic song.
• Ocean View is another rocking remix courtesy of Jun Senoue, this time of You Can Do Anything. Its final lap remix mixes You Can Do Anything with the chorus of Super Sonic Racing.
• Every Team Ultimate theme is awesome, but Team Vector's songs deserve a special mention: a pumped up remix of Team Chaotix's theme for Vector, a fast-paced EDM remix of "Dreams of an Absolution" for Silver, and, as a rather surprising choice, a kickass hard rock remix of "Vela Nova" for Blaze (you can even faintly hear the vocal samples from the original!).

• The main theme, "Cross the Worlds", has an energetic, joyous delivery. It's easy to get caught up with the song as it sings about the game's mechanics to you.
• It may not be "Back 2 Back", but Water Palace's music is still beautiful and ethereal, perfectly fitting the grand and serene atmosphere of the palace.
• This game's version of Sand Road sees guest musicians RIOT rearrange Sonic Adventure's Sand Hill into a funky EDM style, and the resulting BGM is a certified bop.
• Apotos, a lively remix of Windmill Isle's day theme that even has a few segments mixing in soundfonts from the Sega Genesis, as well as a brief segment referencing the mobile port for Sonic Unleashed.
• The music for Wonder Museum is a energetic and jazzy piece that sounds like it came straight from Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure and is truly a wonder to the ears.
• For those wanting a little more rock, the theme for Magma Planet delivers with its fast pace, shredding guitars, and a dash of Ominous Latin Chanting for good measure.
• Returning from All-Stars Racing: Transformed and Team Sonic Racing is the still rocking "You Can Do Anything" remix in Ocean View, this time redone in a more tropical style that better fits the Seaside Hill setting. Just like in those games, the final lap mix would also throw in "Super Sonic Racing", making the theme all the more energetic, even bringing back the song's chorus (something All-Stars and TSR didn't do), managing to make something old new again.
• Pumpkin Mansion is a spooky track befitting the haunted setting and twists-and-turns that occur within the mansion's halls. The Final Lap variant is also a delight, being high energy while maintaining the spooky atmosphere.
• Blizzard Valley comes in swinging with a track reminiscent of Sonic Adventure's Be Wild, Be Cool, Be Groovy^note Icecap's snowboarding section with a perfect blend of jazz, rock, and beautiful vocals, which kicks into high gear in the final lap where everything gets cranked up to eleven and even has many fans comparing it to "Raise Up Your Bat" from Deltarune.
• The Cyber Space CrossWorld is accompanied by remix of "1-2 Flowing", not only a melodious take on a catchy song from Sonic Frontiers, but one that also adds a saxophone for good measure, bringing the whole piece together in a harmonious way. Tomoya Ohtani wanted to bring a "fresh and emotional" vibe with the saxophone, and it succeeds in every way.
• As fitting for the first track in the game, E-Stadium's theme is a peppy, upbeat tune that lets you know you're in for something great. The final lap version ups the tempo and lyrics, really getting you pumped to give it all you've got as you race to the finish.
• Radical Highway gets a remix that perfectly suits the high speed that occurs on the bridges that make up the course.
• The song "I'm Here" from Sonic Frontiers is already considered to be Awesome Music in its own right, so how do you make it even more hype? It's simple: get rhythm game music legend Camellia to remix it for the final lap of Kronos Island. The result is an incredibly heart-poundingly intense track, guaranteeing the player will give it their all and potentially clutch out a spectacular first-place finish.
• CrossWorlds marks the grand return of the Night music for Cool Edge, remixed as the theme for the Holoska CrossWorld. It not only manages to maintain the tone of the original song, but expands on it with more instruments to make it more energetic during the drive through the glacier. The Final Lap version heard in Time Trials also amps up the intensity, mixing in Ominous Latin Chanting for good measure. It's a fitting treat for those who wanted to see SEGA officially remix any of the Night themes from Sonic Unleashed, due to those being barely featured in games after Unleashed in favor of the Day themes.
• Kraken Bay comes with an intense rock and orchestral mashup that fits the stormy shipwreck fleet setting to a T, especially with the Kraken itself serving as a constant threat throughout the CrossWorld. The Final Lap variant heard in Tune Trials throws in ominous chanting to add on to the intensity.
• Appropriate for a course celebrating the Eggman Empire, the theme for Eggman Expo is a gloriously bombastic piece with several Musical Nods to past Eggman themes, such as his Adventure theme and "E.G.G.M.A.N".
• Minecraft World borrows themes from various later updates of Minecraft, all of which are given loving arrangements, but special mention goes to the arrangement of "Broken Heart of Ender" from Minecraft Dungeons, played during the trip through the End in the final lap, which sounds like a desperate mad dash to escape from the eldritch dimension!
• Bikini Bottom gives us a very cartoon-y soundalike of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme for this undersea world with something of a bluegrass feeling to it that gets you pumping! Though Sega isn't sure mayonnaise was used in the making of this song.
• Pac-Village & Maze gives us a heart-pumping arrangement of "Pac-Man's Park" during the race, selling the exciting action present on the tracks. Showcased on the official OST video are alternate mixes of the song for when racers enter the maze portion of the course, incorporating a feel identically to the Championship Edition titles as you follow the voxel Pac-Man across familiar territory.
• Wily Castle gives us another amazing rendition of "Wily Castle 1" for this track. As shown in this official OST video, the music keeps the frantic heroic feel of the song as you race through Dr. Wily's base, avoiding Metools, the Yellow Devil and even the mad doctor himself.

• The infamous drowning music. More Drowning Music of Trauma.
• The Opening Theme to Sonic Mega Collection is a fan favorite and even got reused for Sonic Generations.
• The boss theme of Sonic Runners is fantastically catchy.

• Designer Chris Senn was able to release concept music for the scrapped Sonic X-treme game for the Sega Saturn. One theme, Space Queens, was posted on YouTube, and the poster asked Senn to do an extended version of it. This was the result.
• Sonic Crackers Options Song 1/Attraction Stage, the early version of Electoria, Techno Tower's theme from Knuckles' Chaotix. Has the "Walkin'" lobby theme mixed into the track and it sounds great.

• Robotnik's theme from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog easily is the silliest yet most entertaining villain theme ever composed.
• Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM):
  • The opening theme, "Fastest Thing Alive". Sure, it's a Bragging Theme Tune, but it really gets you hyped to see the show and is the Trope Namer for Fastest Thing Alive.
  • Robotnik's theme from the show is easily his most ominous sounding, setting the tone of how he has conquered the World and is The Dreaded.
• Look-a-like, the theme of the Sonic OVA, which actually made it onto the True Colors album. The full, unedited version (Link here) was uncovered in 2020 when fans contacted one of the production staff for the OVA and he went one further and gave them a copy of the original, complete with all the vocals.
  • The South Island theme works well as a centerpiece for introducing the OVA's location, but it becomes even more awesome when it's used during the clash between Sonic and Hyper Metal Sonic.
• While most of Sonic Underground's songs tend to be cheesy, the theme song is both catchy and inspiring.
• Sonic X's Japanese opening, SONIC DRIVE, sung by anime music legend Hironobu Kageyama alongside the anison singer for Super Sentai, Hideaki Takatori.
  • The 4Kids Entertainment dub's opening isn't half bad either; try Gotta Go Fast.
  • The Japanese ending, "Hikaru Michi", is sad enough without lyrics or context. When you remember what events it underscored, it becomes an automatic Tear Jerker.
  • The Italian opening: the lyrics are nothing special, but the dance-ish music is catchy.
• Sonic Boom (2014)
  • The show's Background Music has a very Ren and Stimpy vibe that fits nicely with the comedy focus of the show. Its background music in season 2 has absorbed more emotion and action, making it sound really awesome.
  • The episodes "Lightning Bowler Society" and "Planes, Trains, and Dude-Mobiles" both have pieces of the same music used at their climaxes, which have the same song structure as Giorgio Moroder's "Push it to the Limit" (even lifting some of the notes straight from the song!). It can be heard here.
• From Sonic × Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings comes "Without You", a somber rock Insert Song with lyrics describing Shadow's struggle to move past Maria's death, with vocals provided by RWBY singer Casey Lee Williams.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

• Speed Me Up has a nice tune filled with Sega Genesis sounds, and it has various references to other Sonic tracks, like Emerald Hill Zone from Sonic 2.
• At one point in the start of the second trailer, there is a new remix of the classic Green Hill Zone Theme. A jazzy, calming piano rendition by Jon Batiste underscores the epilogue, but unfortunately becomes a Long Song, Short Scene.
• While sadly unused, Chizzy Stephens & Thicc James' D&B single for the movie "Gotta Go Fast" (no relation to the Sonic X song of the same name) is another fantastic remix of Green Hill Zone.
• The studio logos at the film's start have this familiar tune, that includes a brief version of the Green Hill Zone theme, as well as an operatic variation on the original 16-bit Sega chant. Yes, that Sega chant.
• During the early scene where Sonic is having fun on Earth, Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" kicks in with the bridge line "I wanna make a supersonic man outta you!"
• "Welcome to Green Hills" is a very upbeat and happy tune to introduce the viewer to Green Hills.
• "A New Home" is a incredibly heart-melting piece of music that plays at the ending, when Sonic is shown his new bedroom by Tom and Maddie and is essentially adopted by them.
• "Boom" by X Ambassadors plays over the scene where Sonic uses his Bullet Time super-speed to stop an entire bar fight in a matter of seconds while managing to enjoy some chili dogs for the first time and take a selfie on someone's phone. The lyrics time in right with "My feet go boom boom boom, my heart goes zoom zoom zoom, I said hey, uh huh you can't stop me!".
• Dr. Robotnik's theme is a close soundalike if not a direct remix of his theme from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, and the film had turned it into a hell of a lot more threatening tune on top of that.
• Robotnik's tunes of anarchy, a.k.a "Where Evil Grows", by The Poppy Family is a catchy one as it accompanies his amusing dance.
• The 8-bit remix of "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones from the second half of the trailer calls back to the old Sonic games with a sense of nostalgia.
• The song that plays during Baby Sonic's run around his home world? Friends from the Sonic Mania opening, showing his childlike sincerity and naivete.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

• The title announcement teaser alone gave us a short but sweet remix of the iconic Emerald Hill Zone theme that got us pumped for the action to come.
• The first trailer blows us away with Really Slow Motion & Giant Apes' Age of Heroes, a sweeping score that encapsulates the high-octane adventure to come. As Sonic himself puts it: "Today's forecast calls for a 100% chance of adventure!"
• As before, Junkie XL provides a top-notch score for Sonic's second cinematic spin.
  • "Sinster", the track that plays when Robotnik builds the Giant Eggman Robot, is an eerie and bombastic tune that even features the Death Egg Robot leitmotif at the end.
  • "You Don't Have to Be Alone Anymore" is a gripping track for when Sonic saves Knuckles from drowning after Robotnik steals the Master Emerald, with a brief snippet of the dreaded drowning music. (Check the 1:00 mark!)
  • "Okay, We're Not Friends" is an appropriately epic track for the debut of Super Sonic.
• The songs are just as awesome:
  • Stephane Legar's "Speed Life" (exclusive to the French version of the film) is a fun beat that lifts the main chorus of Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me".
  • "Stars in the Sky" by Kid Cudi is a soft yet energetic melody that truly showcases how Sonic has found a home after so long alone in the world.
  • Sonic's scene as a vigilante has the energetic It's Tricky by Run-D.M.C. to set the playful mood.
  • When Sonic is left at home while Tom and Maddie go to Hawaii, does he get lonely again? Nope, he throws himself a wild house party with "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze as the perfect party theme.
  • When Sonic and Tails aren't doing so good at the pivonka in the Siberian bar, what does Sonic do? Turn up "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars and lead Tails on an amazing dance number which gets even better when Tails uses his gadgets to create stellar effects to win the pivonka.
  • Rachel gets a crazy awesome theme in "Barracuda" by Heart during her rampage against Randall and the GUN Commander for tricking her with that fake wedding.
  • When Robotnik uses the Master Emerald and makes the Death Egg Robot, what tops his World Domination Playlist? "Walk" by Pantera! Cue head-banging.

Knuckles

• "The Warrior" by Scandal feat. Patty Smyth is used as the series' intro theme; it's an upbeat classic rock tune befitting the title character and the journey he sends Wade on here. Knuckles even names it as his favorite song in The Stinger of the final episode.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

• "Wow... He's Fast!" is a foreboding piece of dread and power with the music being in a minor key throughout despite a brief glimmer of major key heroism as Team Sonic try and fail to talk down Shadow. It quickly shifts to fast and frantic as Sonic chases Shadow through the streets of Tokyo before climaxing with a menacing rendition of "Live and Learn" against a mighty one punch duel over the Tokyo Skytree.
• "MA-RI-A" is a soothing track highlighting Maria's kindheartedness while chronicling her entry into Gerald's lab and her first meeting with Shadow, which turns menacing as she sees him in the flesh before shifting to comforting again as she bonds with the alien hedgehog.
• Courtesy of the climactic duel between Super Sonic and Super Shadow, we have "I Can't Let You Live" and "I Die Hard". The former sets a somber scene of Shadow starting to question his resolve towards attaining revenge for Maria, before shifting into a far more serious tone as a revenge-seeking Super Sonic tackles him out of the Eclipse Cannon, and then changing to a massively more intense theme once Super Shadow shows up, setting the stage for a brutal, world-shaking duel between Super hedgehogs, with the music making it very clear neither hedgehog intends on letting the other walk away. And the latter continues the intense backdrop for the clash, ultimately shifting to a horrifically powerful orchestral score as Super Sonic punches Super Shadow out of his super form and into the moon, and a Dark Reprise of Sonic's theme as he prepares to finish the job against Shadow... Only to change to a far more tender tune as Sonic decides to turn away from revenge and spare his foe's life.
• "For All The People On That Planet" is a gentle, inspiring, and uplifting track, fitting the scene as Sonic manages to connect with Shadow and finally talk the Ultimate Life Form down from his path of revenge.
• What's an adaptation taking cues from Sonic Adventure 2 without Crush 40's "Live And Learn?" "Live And Learn (Junkie XL Version)" takes the iconic song and mashes its equally iconic guitar with a full-blown orchestra as Sonic and Shadow finally decide to team up to save the day.
• "E.G.G.M.E.N." accompanies the duel of the Robotniks with a menacingly dominating, mechanical tune, shifting in tone as Ivo and Gerald clash over the fate of the Earth to fit both their genius intellect in combat, as well as their humor provided by Jim Carrey. There's also a brief segment for an absolutely beautiful instrumental rendition of "Live And Learn" as the scene changes to Super Sonic and Super Shadow's charge to the Eclipse Cannon as the orchestra goes in full blast alongside the guitar, with Sonic's Leitmotif across the films merged in at one point.
• "Last Story" marks a finale to the climax of the film, letting off an epic orchestral score to mark the heroes' final actions to put a stop to the Eclipse Cannon, shifting to absolutely heartful as both Shadow and Eggman take up a Heroic Sacrifice to ensure the day is saved, especially as a piano plays for Ivo's Pre-Sacrifice Final Goodbye to Agent Stone and a violin version of "Live and Learn" as Shadow reminisces on his memories with Maria.
• The Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice" serves as the perfect backing music to the bittersweet Good-Times Montage where both Robotniks bond together while Agent Stone realizes that he's essentially been replaced.
• The Chemical Brothers' "Galvanize" sets the playful yet badass tone for Eggman and Gerald dancing their way through G.U.N.'s Laser Hallway.
• "Run It" is a lively country pop number to close out the adventure and capture Sonic's "life goes fast" attitude.

• The Sonic the Hedgehog - REMIX Album contains nearly an hour's worth of awesome remixes of gems from the Japanese and European versions of the Sonic CD soundtrack.
  • Track 01, "Love You Sonic" has a deliciously funky beat to it.
    (Love you) She never really shows how much it means to her. (Sonic!)
    (Love you) She will be yours, and that's forever, rain or shine. (Sonic!)
    (Love you) There isn't anything she wouldn't do for you (Sonic!)
    (Love you) Long as you tell her - Sonic please, say you love her.
  • Track 03, "Dr Gigglymen" puts a really strange but amazingly catchy twist on the Boss theme.
  • Track 04, "Brand New World" reinteprets "You Can Do Anything".
  • Track 07, "When We Reach For ~You Could It Be Right?~", turns the ending theme "Cosmic Eternity" into something truly memorable.
• The Super Smash Bros. Brawl remix of Sonic 3 & Knuckles' Angel Island Zone composed by Jun Senoue is awesome.
• The 20th anniversary album of Sonic CD features completely new rearrangements of both Sonic Boom and the American Stardust Speedway Present by Jun Senoue (and his band Crush 40 for "Sonic Boom") and Cash Cash. Unsurprisingly, they are incredible takes on the tracks that stay true to the spirit of the tracks, all while giving them more of a Modern Sonic twist.
• For Sonic's 30th anniversary, Masato Nakamura (the original composer of Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2) and his band, Dreams Come True, composed "UP ON THE GREEN HILL"^note original Japanese version here, a glorious and grand vocal rearrangement of his original Green Hill composition. Too slow and not Sonic-y enough? Well, Dreams Come True later released the Sonic-themed MASADO and MIWASCO version of the song^note original Japanese version here, which is a more faithful rearrangement of the original 16-bit track that is just as glorious.
• Not only did their hit song "Sweet, Sweet, Sweet" get turned into the ending for Sonic 2 for the Genesis, Dreams Come True later took songs that Nakamura composed for the first two games, and turned them into hit songs!
  • Green Hill Zone became Marry Me?
  • Star Light Zone became Million Kisses.
  • Labyrinth Zone became The Swinging Star.
  • Chemical Plant became Love Unlimited.
  • Sonic 2 Final Boss became Yasashii Kiss O Shite.
• The 2020 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations was soundtracked by orchestral arrangements of video game soundtracks, one of them being a sweepingly wonderful orchestral arrangement of Star Light Zone. It is heard during Oman and China's parades, for the curious.
• In honor of Sonic's 30th anniversary, the social media channels had begun uploading new remixes under the title "Sonic Sessions", bringing in fresh new takes on both classic and modern tracks that sound absolutely wonderful.
  • What happens when you mix a beloved Sonic vocal theme with the style of Persona 5's Music? You get the incredibly funky Escape From the City - Funk RMX, sung by Persona 5 singer Lyn Inaizumi.
  • Did you want to hear a jazzier arrangement of the Continue/NO WAY. theme from Sonic 3 & Knuckles by Jun Senoue, featuring Lyn Inaizumi scatting the main melody? We thought so.
  • Fist Bump - Edgy Remix reimagines the already awesome Fist Bump in the style of the hard-rock vocal themes of the early-to-mid 2000s Sonic games and to say it sounds absolutely badass is a bit of an understatement.
  • Youtuber Chris Niosi was able to team up with Jamison Boaz to do a cover of a cover of "His World" in commemoration of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)'s fifteenth anniversary. It is a strong and touching tribute both to Sonic '06 and the Sonic franchise as a whole, complete with Jason Griffith and Pete Capella returning as Sonic, Shadow, and Silver for the first time in more than a decade.
• One of the first mods available for Unleashed Recompiled, a PC-port/recompilation for Sonic Unleashed, was Hatsune Miku over Chip. As a special little surprise for people who downloaded it, the end credits feature covers of both Endless Possibility and Dear My Friend, with vocals redone entirely with the proper Vocaloid software - no AI voices here! And it works surprisingly well, at that.
• The theme song for Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles is a snazzy big-band jazz rendition of "Midnight Greenhouse" from the team's debut game that gets you properly hyped up for the Chaotix Detective Agency's latest case, composed by Rebecca Sugar (yes, we do mean that Rebecca Sugar) and Charlie Rosen of The 8-Bit Big Band.

• Sonic: Live in Sydney was a corny show, but of all the songs in it, "Thank You For Being You" probably stands out the most - not just because it's a song sung entirely from Sally Acorn's point of view, or because it's specifically about how much Sonic means to her, but also because it's in a show that came out in 1997. To put that in perspective, Ken Penders was doing Endgame at the same time, and fully intended to kill Sally off for good in that arc. Sega thankfully put the boot down because they wanted to put Sally in more stuff. Sega World Sydney ended up being all that came of it, but hot damn did Sega go all in. They made her a park mascot equal with Sonic, gave her merch that you could only get at that park, and ended up providing Sonally shippers with a shit-ton of shipping fuel all out of this one song. A pity that they seem to have done a complete 180 on that in recent years...
• Sonic Boom 2011. Half an hour of live Crush 40 audio bliss. Including a special guest appearance by Alex Makhlouf and a never-before-heard arrangement of Sonic Boom.
• In celebration of the blue blur's 30th birthday, SEGA streamed a pre-recorded symphony performance of music from across the series' history, with additional performances by Tomoya Ohtani and Crush 40- and it's an utterly epic love letter to Sonic's legacy, with fans from all sides agreeing that it was the perfect way to celebrate 30 years of super-sonic speed. With a setlist that includes songs from nearly^note No tracks from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 were included, probably because Sonic Mania has effectively supplanted it every mainline series game (yes, even Sonic '06), Crush 40 performing damn near every main vocal theme they've provided (including, somewhat surprisingly, "I Am... All of Me" and "Knight of the Wind"), an intermission featuring a 10-minute long arrangement of the Chao Garden theme from Sonic Adventure 2, a couple vocal song covers with guest vocals from NateWantsToBattle, an orchestral cover of "Friends" by Hyper Potions playing over the credits, and, in a very unexpected move, individual medleys for the Game Gear games and Sonic's incredibly short tenure on the Sega Saturn, with the latter even featuring both the theme from NiGHTS into Dreams… and the Data Select theme from Sonic 3 & Knuckles as nods to the Sonic: into Dreams mode from Christmas NiGHTS and the Museum from Sonic Jam, respectively. Words really can't do this performance justice — just sit back, relax, and jam out to nearly two hours of pure audio bliss.

• The Virtual Sonic album includes original music tracks inspired by the Sonic series, and all of them are great in their own right.
  • Metal Sonic's song is an intentionally loud grunge Villain Song where Howard Drossin describes how terrifying the robot is in the world of Sonic.
  • Chaos Jam is a rocking track that sounds like the opening to a Sonic game that doesn't exist.
  • City in the Clouds is relaxing and jazzy. Given the name, it's likely invoking a calmer Sky Sanctuary.
  • Battle of the Badniks is a grandiose and mischevious opera-esque piece that calls to mind The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
  • Robotnik's Revenge is a slick, hip hop track that samples one of the machinery sounds used in the genesis Sonic games.
• While admittedly goofy (they did "I'm Too Sexy", after all), the music video for the Right Said Fred song "Wonderman" contains various references to Sonic the Hedgehog. The song itself was used in advertisements for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• An honorary part of this page, Sonic Youth by Crush 40 sounds like it could have been the main theme of Generations. Its lyrics contain nods to much of the most famous Sonic songs, making it an awesome tribute to the soundtrack of the series. Some fans have even considered it an unofficial theme to Generations.
• "K.T.E Cypher", a new Knuckles rap by Hunnid P featuring Doryan Nelson, has the original rap artist for Knuckles's themes in the Adventure series come back with an all-new rap number to celebrate Mania.
• The Big the Cat song, an official song sung by Egoraptor that surprisingly has those sweet rock riffs courtsey of Crush 40.
• From Korone Inugami and series composer Tomoya Ohtani comes "Hongami Precious Moment", a catchy and super-upbeat rock number perfectly encapsulating Sonic and what his character represents—continuing to move forward and inspiring others to get up and go.
• To tie-in with Hatsune Miku's guest appearance in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Sega and Crypton launched "Project ONSOKU", a series of five original songs themed around Sonic characters, released week-by-week in the lead-up to the game's launch. All of them are also included in CrossWorlds' jukebox, and can be used in place of the game's regular music during races, complete with amped-up "Final Lap" mixes!
  • Befitting the blue blur himself, "SAI LOVE JINSEI RUNNER!" by Kairiki bear is a trippy, fast-paced dance song that incorporates classic Sonic sound effects.
  • Amy's song, "We Are Pico Pico Hammers!!!" by cosMo@Bousou-P, is as chipper as it is absolutely rocking.
  • "Jet Black" by Yunosuke perfectly captures Shadow's moody nature with a track highly reminscent of the Cyber Space levels from Frontiers.
  • "TREASURE GARDEN" by Ponchi♪ is a Chao-themed rock/pop song about cultivating a happy life, with music that quotes a few tracks from Sonic Adventure 2 to boot!
  • For the finale, we have "Denkoh Sekka" by CrossWorlds composer/remixer Camellia, a lightning-fast racing anthem sure to drive you towards the finish line! Listen close, and you might just hear bits of "Live and Learn" and "Super Sonic Racing" while you're at it!
• In celebration of Sonic's 35th anniversary, Jun Senoue released a brand-new single with vocals by NateWantsToBattle in honor of the Blue Blur called, fittingly, "Speed Is My Life", recounting all his many adventures and featuring several nods to iconic songs from the franchise, to the point where it can practically be considered a successor to "It Doesn't Matter" as Sonic's main theme. There's also the official Japanese remix by Yunosuke with vocals by Hatsune Miku, titled "ONSOKU WO KOETE", which goes for a more peppy and electronic vibe that is just as celebratory as the original.

• Mike Pollock, the voice actor for Dr. Eggman, decided to record his own version of the classic "Frosty the Snowman," as "Sonic the Hedgehog". It is hilarious and wonderful.
• The first phase of Eggman's fight in the Sega Villains DLC for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance has a wickedly foreboding battle theme, complete with an intro the sounds like a Dark Reprise of the Green Hill Zone theme.