Ranking EVERY Classic Sonic Zone Ever!

Here is my very questionable Sonic zones tier list! I drop a few hot takes so feel free to tell me how right or wrong I am!
More Information Below
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Links:
Twitter: / matthasnocuts
My channel to subscribe: kzbin.info/door/A8B...
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Credits:
Outro Music: • Star Light Zone 70's S...
Sonic Heroes Footage: • Sonic Heroes (Dolphin ...
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Timestamps:
Intro: (0:00)
D Tier: (2:18)
C Tier: (7:12)
B Tier: (9:09)
A Tier: (15:18)
S Tier: (25:56)
SS Tier: (35:50)
Conclusion: (49:59)
Outro: (50:48)
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Hello, I make content on various types of video games! My favorite franchises are Sonic and Mario, as you can tell, I love platformers! If you like to watch reviews, video essays, or discussions about video games, I highly recommend you stick with me because we do a lot of that here! Enjoy your stay!
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Software used:
Video editing software: Premiere Pro
Graphic design: Photoshop cs6
Screen recorder: Elgato/obs/other options
Microphone: Blue yeti
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#SonicTheHedgehog #SEGA #sonicfrontiers

[@Matthasnocuts]

In your opinion, what is the best or most fun Sonic zone and why? I'm curious to see the takes some of you have!

[@Mitsufifou]

green hill because everyone now the first minute of a game is the most fun

[@cerealkiller4702]

Ice Cap because it had such a good atmosphere and was a great mix of platforming and speed, and it introduced the snowboard into the franchise

[@reservoir4798]

Honestly Green Hill Zone is iconic for a reason and it's one of my favorites. Mirage Saloon is up there with it too, especially the Knuckles level

[@greatobikili4858]

Sonic 1- Green Hill Sonic CD-N/A I don't think there is a bad one but I don't have a favorite Sonic 2- Emerald Hill I like the different yet not confusing pathways also the music. Sonic 3&K- There are many but I got Ice Cap, Launch Base, and Flying Battery Zone. Ice Cap to me is similar to Emerald Hill with the different pathways you can find, Launch Base really does feel like a grand finale no matter the music after getting so far you are racing to the stop the Death Egg. Extra- I like in Sonic 3&K how each zone flows into each other unlike the other games Sonic runs off screen and boom next zone kinda to me is out of place.

[@CJtheIdiot.]

Ice cap and chemical plant are kinda equal to me but if I had to pick the best one I would choose chemical plant because it really shows how fast sonic can really go and sure the water sections can be bad but aren’t really hard to go by and if you get better with the level layout you can speed through the water sections and is pretty fun to play. Edit: the worst one in my opinion is metropolis zone. And the enemy placement makes me want to have a seizure. The enemies are horrible and I wish they never made it ever.

[@shonenbois]

Bro Hydrocity hits Different as level. People hate Water levels in video games but everyone agrees HC is based and that music tho👀🔥

[@DarkShadowX9]

@Shounen Bois That's because Labyrinth Zone gave them a VERY hard time. I'm pretty sure they only hate that stage.

[@WWERULEZ1000]

@@DarkShadowX9 Aquatic Ruin is also not a really a "true" water zone. Both acts are kind of short and you can stay out of the water altogether. The underwater sections aren't that long either if you take advantage of the red springs and know some tricky platforming skills. I can get through act 2 in 40 seconds going the underwater route using those methods. Tidal Tempest is a better version of Labyrinth and Hydrocity remains the best water zone. Labyrinth however, still sucks except for the music.

[@Mrdinomist]

@@DarkShadowX9 Labyrinth zone feels so out of place like it supposed to be different game

[@markharbath31X9]

@@DarkShadowX9 I don’t I think it’s a great way to show how sonic cannot swim

[@DarkShadowX9]

@@markharbath31X9 I know.

[@bradenhogan2]

I can appreciate Scrap Brain Zone Act 3. Scrap Brain was the first big instance of Sonic Team using visual design to tell the story of the game. You start out on Scrap Brain 1 and it’s the polluted urban underside to the bright and fast-placed Start Light Zone. Then act 2 is inside Eggman’s base, which is lifeless and mechanical. Then he drops you down his trap door to the abandoned, ancient ruins that he has apparently built his base over. We even have our first Act transition, so if you liked them in S3K and Mania, it was right there in the beginning!

[@shocktrauma85]

I do appreciate how Scrap Brain Act 3 does reward you for exploring in that you can take a shortcut that cuts it down to less than 30 seconds.

[@talonflame_brawlstars.7208]

The reason why it is labyrinth zone is because the original plan was to have sonic drop into the sewers of scrap brain. Unfortunately due to time, cartridge space, and money, the level never got to see the light of day

[@bradenhogan2]

@@talonflame_brawlstars.7208 regardless, the presentation/story aspect of that part is great. I think reusing Labyrinth Zone assets for Scrap Brain 3 works a lot better than reusing Metropolis Zone assets to replace Cyber City Zone in Sonic 2. In that one, there’s no discernible change from the dust to acts, so the player is only left to assume that it was there for gameplay reasons. It does work to make the zone even more difficult and make the catharsis in Sky Chase Zone and Wing Fortress Zone that much better, but it Scrap Brain’s gameplay is almost saved by the presentation/story part of it

[@bradenhogan2]

@@talonflame_brawlstars.7208 regardless, the presentation/story aspect of that part is great. I think reusing Labyrinth Zone assets for Scrap Brain 3 works a lot better than reusing Metropolis Zone assets to replace Cyber City Zone in Sonic 2. In that one, there’s no discernible change from the dust to acts, so the player is only left to assume that it was there for gameplay reasons. It does work to make the zone even more difficult and make the catharsis in Sky Chase Zone and Wing Fortress Zone that much better, but it Scrap Brain’s gameplay is almost saved by the presentation/story part of it

[@theharvardyard2356]

Good points! The visual storytelling in dropping you down below before having to climb up to face Robotnik added a lot to the sense of adventure, though it was something they'd take much further in Sonic 3.

[@Chucky_Martinez]

My favorite Zone has to be Flying Battery; it just has the feel that Kirby Super Star had with Meta Knight, like you're invading an airship to take down Eggman, and the music that plays while you speed through it, chef's kiss, it's a work of art.

[@osc-omb47896]

Totally agree

[@ssj4jason737]

Even though the secret rings are very hard to find when compared to the other zones

[@2ch921]

Chemical plant means so much to me, it was one of the most delightful experience I've had with level design in games I used to play as a kid. The level is interesting, it's fast paced, it's beautiful, everything about it seemed so intriguing and cool I felt like exploring this level all day, it's almost unexplainable how obessed I'd gotten 😅

[@lynxfresh5214]

Lava Reef Zone all the way. The music is funky AF, it's a true volcano level (unlike Marble or Hill Top Zone), the difficulty is just right (hold your fire shield tightly), the badnik designs are unique plus I love how rewarding it is to explore every nook and cranny of the level. Also seeing the Death Egg in the background at the end is simply epic!

[@lucassantossj]

My only complain is the boss needing to take so many hits.

[@Usotsukii.]

@@lucassantossj act 1 or 2 boss?

[@lucassantossj]

@@Usotsukii. act 2

[@Usotsukii.]

@@lucassantossj the boss is alright, and It kinda makes sense that it takes so many hits since it’s literally made to submerge under lava

[@yeeoof1995]

i never really saw marble zone as a volcano level, more as ruins in the mountains with lava coming in from an actual volcano

[@eNCy.]

The reason Metropolis zone has three acts, is because it was supposed to be a unused zone called "Genocide City" or "Cyber City", with only one act. It was scrapped and instead It's placement was filled up by act 3 of Metropolis.

[@angryboi595]

Genocide City sounds like something that would be in a James Bond or Undertale game

[@tsitracommunications2884]

Big mistake. And it shouldve been called gothic city zone because of its dark look

[@eNCy.]

@@tsitracommunications2884 The language barrier in Japan was different, and they did not see Genocide as an offensive word. That's why it was later changed to Cyber City, Because the people in America see the word genocide differently

[@alonsomoyano9278]

@@angryboi595 Fun fact: Genocide City is a scrapped level from Sonic 2

[@nguyenhoang6702]

Cyber City...Deltarune reference!!

[@KB-om3xv]

You forgot to mention that mirage saloon has a different stage for act one when you play as knuckles. Which is definitely way better than the sonic and tales version of it

[@andrewdilcock8060]

I agree but as I prefer mirage saloon as sonic because as knuckles i found his enemy placements and platforming sections a bit hard when i was new and i got stuck as knuckles in that zone for some time.

[@jdh9419]

*tails

[@gamercentral2417]

I think these are sonic only otherwise mania would probably be a bit different in rankings

[@KARMAGEDDEM]

It was originally scrapped in Sonic 2 it was supposed to be named dust Hill Zone

[@cuiscopper]

@@KARMAGEDDEM That's actually incorrect. The scrapped desert zone's name in Sonic 2 is Sand Shower Zone. Dust Hill Zone was supposed to be Green Hill Zone (Or Emerald Hill Zone as it's known as later in development), but in the altered present time period, when Sonic 2 was still based around time travel.

[@scitails]

I love Marble Zone. Always liked it as a kid because it looked cool, had hidden walls, you could jump on the crushing weights, and the lava geyser was fun. It might not work as well for adults trying to speedrun, but there was plenty that appealed well to kids who weren't in a rush, I think. Similar with the floating wheels and travel tubes in Scrap Brain, the huge half pipes in Springyard, the catapults in Starlight, etc, etc. Have to remember this was designed to be enjoyed by kids, and I think Sonic 1 does a better job of including fun features to play with mid-level than the other classic games, which are probably more focused on keeping things flowing well than on including specific features. Sonic 1 wants to give you a chance to enjoy the many features, not have you zoom right past them, and I can appreciate that. It's all about having fun exploring and playing with those features/platforming elements. A lot of Sonic Adventure was like that, too (my favorite Sonic games were the Adventure titles). Sonic might be fast as a character, but people forget that his games have had more variety than just speed in the past, even the good ones.

[@ryanlafferty5815]

I hated marble zone tbh, after the absolute speedfest that was green hill zone....I thought hat zone brought the game to a screeching halt, the moving platforms you actually had to stand & wait to move, the lava pits, and those fking annoying bats

[@Yoshistar238]

Same

[@Shmicah1235]

Tbh I really enjoy and have a soft spot for Marble Zone. It's fun to explore and just to some tight platforming now and again. Not my favorite ever, but I typically have a good time here

[@slinkadoo6292]

Marble zone was my favorite growing up. I always figured people loved it as much as I did but I learned from reading youtube comments that people don't like it much.

[@Blackcatthe1st]

​@@slinkadoo6292 I'm very glad he put labyrinth zone in d I hate it

[@ShadsTH1]

I would probably say Ice Cap, Star Light, Death Egg, or Launch Base. I just really like the speed that they give off and Death Egg is a really good. I agree, Launch Base is Launch Based. I do agree with you, fam. I just really like final levels or levels that take place on a moving aircraft or a space station. Something about it just makes me have adrenaline and the need to make it through and stop the aircraft. I should really stop editing this comment lol.

[@Jay_XP]

It's always a Joy Watching these Tier Lists of Yours Matt. I always Like to Listen to your opinions weather I agree or Disagree with Them! Most of the time you also help open my eyes on certain Subjects of the List and it's always entertaining. Keep Up The Good Work Man! Much Love!

[@raygunner4970]

Scrap Brain was technically the first zone to have a different background for each act.

[@manuelmakesartz]

One of my favorite zones is Tidal Tempest. I love how you actually have the option to take a non water path. It feels like a non-punishing version of Labyrinth zone. I also love the music (man, I wish I could pick JP OST for Act 1 and US OST for Act 2; when both OSTs have reached equal greatness, then you know how good the music for this level is).

[@smg5grinchptoductions2]

I agree. Tidal Tempest is my favorite water level for the exploration and the music.

[@BlueSpeedingCentral]

I’m so glad you put Tidal Tempest in S tier. It’s my favorite water zone out of all the classic sonic games. Especially with that fire music!

[@nonamelegend_vapor]

The bad future Tidal Tempest music is the best in the series imo, and I didn’t even play CD as a kid (just now picking it up in my 30s). Goodness gracious it slams

[@austria-hungary7680]

w h a t a b o u t h y d r o c i t y z o n e ?

[@melissadavie6121]

@@austria-hungary7680 Hydrocity is a bland experience if you played the mania version before the OG version.

[@jdh9419]

Hydrocity Hater

[@alonsomoyano9278]

@@melissadavie6121 I had played Mania’s Hydrocity before Sonic 3’s Hidrocity And I found it AWESOME

[@FabBrigade]

The worst part about this video is that you call an auto scroller a side scroller. Side scroller is what these four games are. Auto scroller is the term your looking for when describing Mirage Saloon act 1.

[@Lelijone]

You have summoned the Labarynth zone defense squad. I am the only member of the Labarynth zone defense squad.

[@pneumonoultramicrosc0p1csilic0]

i also am its pretty good

[@BradleyThomas-oc8nm]

Ngl hated it as a kid. Grew to appreciate it more as i got older

[@69_battery]

Make it four baby

[@isaacleggett8786]

It's actually very fun, if you know the shortcuts it's very fun and if you can out run the water at certain parts it actually fairly fast

[@Pirate_Knight27]

I think it's funny how everyone says they hate Sonic Water levels and then proceed to love all Sonic water levels but Labyrinth Zone.

[@kinggalactix]

I love Marble Garden Zone. Bassline is slapping, the terrain is super unique, and the lightning shield is goat.

[@Mihdndo]

I never beat S3 cause of this zone

[@kinggalactix]

@@Mihdndo it's pretty easy when you know the layout.

[@percival5609]

I don’t think you have an idea of how much i hate marble garden

[@kinggalactix]

You two won't make it past Sandopolis Act 2 if you can't get past Marble Garden.

[@kinggalactix]

Heck, you probably won't make it to (or survive in) Carnival Night Zone.

[@maxwellgates2202]

For me, my favorite was always Flying Battery Zone, I loved the music, the bosses, the fun little electromagnets on the ceiling, but yeah I do agree it does have issues. (plus I used to think it was a battery as in like a double a battery not like a fleet or something)

[@boyfriend1161]

That's funny 🤣🤣🤣

[@therussianspy5882]

Flying Battery Zone (especially act 2) has the best music of all the classic Sonic games IMO. Agree with the minor flaws too, but the music makes up for it.

[@Picsasworld]

"Launch base is Launch Based I rest my case.. Bars" *turns on beatbox*

[@tortuga8470]

Something I noticed is that you didn't really mention aesthetics until the A tier, it would be interesting to hear your opinion on levels that you might think look good but aren't fun to play. I thought marble zone always looked really cool

[@ryanlafferty5815]

good example, marble zone was visually tremendous for that era....but a horrible zone to play IMO.......and another I feel is the same.....spring yard ......hated that map but thought it had a cool aesthetic......my personal favourite from sonic 1 is starlight zone

[@Roboshi2007]

I think if you factor in aethetics then sonic CD levels would take a massive hit

[@GDnewbie]

6:53 I heard somewhere they wanted to make like an underground level for Scrap Brain Zone act 3 but they ran out of time and had to reuse labyrinths zone’s assets and just made the colors different.

[@weshansen7892]

Him saying "side scroller" instead of "auto scroller" hella bugged me lmaooo bro you do realize every sonic stage is a side scroller right?

[@casualartist4202]

20:35 Sonic was always a side-scroller tho, what it wasn't was an autoscroller.

[@RichyMaths]

Hill Top Zone and Star Light Zone are such underrated zones. I think they'd be great as remastered zones in a potential Sonic Mania 2 game.

[@RichyMaths]

Hill Top and Star Light have never returned since their original debuts, at least not as far as I know. They were born and died on Sonic 1 & 2 respectively.

[@garvensman]

I think you meant “auto scrolling” not side scrolling. I’m surprised to see Flying Battery so low here. It’s probably my personal favorite, or tied with Ice Cap.

[@melissadavie6121]

Flying battery is boring to play through on SK but in mania I actually find value in replaying it.I also got stuck on the act 2 boss for a month in the mania version so-

[@wasong81]

I just straight up hate flying battery.

[@YoshiDepression]

I see tidal tempest as one of the best water levels ngl. It's super open, along with that, it atleast gives you the option to take a path without water

[@arshyarshy4414]

that music makes me lose sense of reality bro i swear, it’s so relaxing and calming, as if i’m actually i’m a cave

[@BenSchappacher]

Completely agree. It’s such a calm level, and it not having a drowning theme makes it just so enjoyable.

[@Yoshistar238]

​@@LowErengyoldchannel yeah but to get the good future you will have to dive a couple times. I don't mind however.

[@mantheray6109]

Bro this zone is the reason why I consider this as one of the best water levels in any Sonic games (mostly in the 2D retro classics 😭🙏🏾).

[@Kari2025]

Great video! The first Sonic game I ever played was 3. It made me fall in love with Tails. He's been one of my all time favorite video game characters since.

[@shelbybunny]

The reason why Sonic 1 has the four worst levels is because Sonic had a rocky transition into existing.

[@giselecastro9760]

Very true

[@marcusmayo]

Nice list, Matt! My favorites are Ice Cap, Palmtree Panic, Emerald Hill, Star light Zone, and Mirage Saloon.

[@JRENZO10]

I love how SS Tier is the longest one, really says a lot about how good Sonic levels are ❤ Edit: It's been 5 months since I posted this comment, and I gotta say, I don't remember EVER putting a heart emoji in a comment of mine...

[@soyalex537]

just because someone put an extra ranking on a tier list of something it doesn't mean it is very good lmao i have seen people put stuff like "SSS+" and "X" on tier list of chicken sandwiches

[@Jay___542]

@@soyalex537 did anyone ask?

[@soyalex537]

@@Jay___542 this is a public comment section, everyone is supposed to have opinions dumbass

[@yeeoof1995]

@@Jay___542 you just asked

[@FanaticChain]

@@Jay___542 yeah you kinda did

[@san_d9995]

Can we appreciate how he put the fitting music per zone?

[@Alvinia101]

Why does that need to be appreciated??? It's literally the most obvious choice in the world to do that. Dumb comment.

[@chriswright6245]

I really liked Spring Yard and Starlight Zone as a kid. In playthroughs now, I enjoy Collision Chaos for its level design and Palm-tree Panic. I wish they got the mania treatment as I think the aesthetics are great. Anyone else enjoy those stages?

[@boyfriend1161]

I do

[@obbycreatorwasnoob]

Starlight is amazing, not because of level decoration but yes the music, it’s so calm

[@greenstar9361]

I love your comment on ice cap! Growing up I could never beat Carnival Night Zone when I was younger because of that dumb barrel. But when I past it it felt like such a REWARD and that music with the theme and all the snow hits SO HARD!

[@JeremiahEcks777]

How do you feel about the new Carnival Night music?

[@greenstar9361]

@@JeremiahEcks777 ngl it could've been way better. It just feels off in origins.

[@JeremiahEcks777]

@@greenstar9361 I agree. The Prototype and PC variants sound good but Origins sounds crap.

[@OtakuDeju]

Hits so Hard like it's "Hard Times (happiest days of my life) Hard Times gone by"

[@100purenacl3]

All I had to do was move up and down? UP AND DOOWN?!? WHAT THE FU... *Time Over*

[@ryank2780]

10:30 I understand that Metropolis is one of the most annoying stages, but you guys have to know that this is literally Eggmans territory, filled with everything that should stop you and give you a hard time. It's not gonna be easy, this is Dr Eggman of course, so it makes sense that he would have enemy placements in the worst spots for the player.

[@marcusmoores7834]

finally, someone who gets it I love metropolis zone

[@madeiraislander]

It's one of the best levels, alongside Sandopolis zone.

[@sagegang6957]

Yeah but this doesn't justify terrible enemy placement regardless, story gameplay integration shouldn't mean the game cheap shots you every 20 seconds

[@bigtrent3600]

But if it's not fun, does it matter? There's a difference between enemies in tough spots and enemies you cannot avoid unless you know they are there ahead of time. I'm willing to forgive it a little because of how hard the music goes tho

[@denmark1226]

One of my favorite zones is our good old friend labrynth zone. Even if it works for story purposes, if one isn't having fun playing their video game, then the zone isn't gonna be looked upon favorably. It's worth noting I don't much like Metropolis zone, so I may be biased, by that's my two cents

[@RoysGamingGarret]

Going through the SS tier, there’s one huge caveat that I should mention about the Sonic 2 version of Hill Top Zone is that one placement of a badnik in one of the cave sections when destroyed off screen causes the game to crash. While I agree that it is a great zone, that’s like my main issue with it. Furthermore, in Layrinth Zone act 2, if you roll at the end, you can cause an illegal instruction error.

[@robertg420]

For me its Casino Night zone, the overall aesthetic is just incredible. The song, the golden walls and floors, the glitzy elevators, the flashing signs, the holographic palm trees, all great. But more than anything is the background - the faint outline of a bustling metropolis at night with lines of cars speeding here and there, lights flashing. I wanted to live there when I was a kid haha

[@joyclary8022]

I was not expecting metropolis zone and wacky workbench in b tier

[@glenhaven721]

This was actually hard for me. My favorites are Stardust Speedway, Quartz Quadrent, Launch Base, and Casino Night. Star Light is close though.

[@KokoRicky]

Can't help but agree with much of this! I think you really nailed how the worst zones don't tend to focus on exploration or good use of momentum boosts, while the best zones are fast, open, and exploratory. Some zones that I thought I didn't like because of some "not having much fun in this zone feels" from childhood turned out to not hold much water, particularly with the back half of Sonic 3, which, if I revisit it soon, will likely turn out to be more fun than I remember.

[@monolophosaurus]

“Every Level is completely unique.” Scrap Brain Act3: *I’mma pretend I didn’t here that.*

[@SilverSpireZ]

Metropolis Zone will always be my most hated Classic Sonic levels, and by extension, one of my most despised zones in any Sonic game. Labyrinth Zone may be slow, but it’s at least a consistent pace. Any speed Metropolis may have had is broken by the unholy trinity of badniks, bullshit spike and pit placement, overly long shafts of screws, and, worst of all, by being the longest zone in the entire game and the only one with three acts. I’d rather play through Labyrinth twenty times in a row than go through Metropolis ever again.

[@acct4600]

its not that bad calm tf down.

[@WWERULEZ1000]

Wacky Workbench Zone is the worst zone, change my mind. I like the US Bad Future soundtrack though, very groovy.

[@spongebobmaster]

Agreed.

[@WWERULEZ1000]

Also IMO Sonic 2 is the easiest of the trilogy, even Oil Ocean is not that difficult. Metropolis is the one zone in the game that is difficult, Sky Chase is a glorifed cutscene, in Wing Fortress don't turn into Super Sonic and the platforming is doable (turn into Super Sonic for the giant laser boss). Silver Mecha Sonic and the Death Egg robot are both easy after some memorization.

[@misterhimura036]

@@WWERULEZ1000 Sonic 2 is easy and fun, that's what i want in a Sonic game

[@TheBmichel51122]

I would bump both Oil Oceans down a tier but other than that this tier list was flawless!! Beyond the D tier I agree that there really are no “bad” Sonic levels. Great work man love the channel

[@mettatonneo1147]

The Flying Battery slander hurts me on a personal level, I've always loved the high speed interiors and the tricky platforming exteriors, the aesthetic of the Battery is great (especially all the Capsules in the background of Act 2), and of course the music is some of the best in the classic games

[@davidtomasovitch874]

Matthasnocuts: no small story zones also matthasnocuts: wing fortress zone

[@AlexYardZone]

Congrats on 25k Matt! Gonna watch this video in installments throughout the week

[@Matthasnocuts]

Thanks, means a lot coming from you!

[@JamesLikesGranola]

9:00 - 9:04 we not gonna talk about how smooth that was??

[@Londonlink]

HillTop is my fav, very simple design and music matches the scenery

[@gamerowl9934]

I am so happy to see that you love Ice Cap just as much as I do. Ice Cap is the perfect way for me to experience classic Sonic. I listened to the music and to "Hard Times" so many times because this zone just gave me such goosebumps when I first played it, and I still do today. Everything about Ice Cap speaks to me and I would have it at number 1 as well. Great video!

[@ghoulboards]

So far I've played through sonic 1, cd and 2, and Marble Zone has been my favorite...not sure why everyone hates it.

[@jrbroo5201]

I agree and l really like the music

[@JeremiahEcks777]

@@jrbroo5201 It's my second favourite Sonic tune.

[@abra_escaped]

It's such a slow zone in a game advertised for its speedy physics based platforming. The music and visuals are pretty good though

[@HugoElcabezas]

right !? I love the lava, the music, with spin dash it’s way faster, and I love that medieval art style + feeling old school plat forming with sonic

[@ghoulboards]

@@HugoElcabezas everyone just wants to go fast, but the change of pace is quite refreshing too imo

[@josepha4161]

I will say I'm not really a classic Sonic player at all, and several years back when I played Mega Collection I wasn't able to beat any of the games. However, I played Mania from start to finish some months ago. The one stage I really loved enough to wanna replay for faster times was Oil Ocean Zone Act 2. Discovered almost nobody mentions Oil Ocean or seems to like it, but it's nice to have it validated here. Thanks for letting everyone know Oil Ocean is a based S tier stage, Matt.

[@SF5_00]

This video is so good I keep rewatching it! Please make another sonic related tier list bc they are amazing!

[@cremetoertchen0815]

I never agreed with a tierlist this much! Great video!

[@socheata643]

Palmtree panic, and stardust speedway good future and few stages, I’ve known! 💗💙🙏🇰🇭🇺🇸🦔

[@kellyshort6392]

The reason why metropolis has 3 acts was because when sonic 2 was in development they were gonna have act 3 of metropolis be a single cat called genocide city. The team had a language issue. But when they figured out what that word meant. They renamed it to cyber city. But the development got rushed so they made another metropolis act.

[@ToshisGarden]

I will say, I'm someone who considers soundtracks in my opinions on levels, as a good soundtrack can often make the levels themselves a lot more fun and bearable to me, so some of the zones you ranked fairly low would be considerably higher for me. The same can often go for considering why an antagonist would arrange things in a specific way to a degree, as opposed to only thinking about I as game design. Scrap Brain act 3, being Robotnik's penultimate challenge, is a prime example of this. That said, I still enjoyed and agreed with a lot of your video!!

[@IAxdumI]

I am also so biased about Ice Cap Zone. Hell It's the biggest reason I started playing piano again. It is the absolute peak of zones to me.

[@Snakesrcool2003account]

id probably put spring yard a little higher just cos of how i feel like the halfpipes with the spike balls do a pretty good job at teaching players about how jumping off slopes can be good for gaining height cos otherwise i dont think u reach the platform in the middle and theres like the aforementioned spike ball chasing u so youd wanna figure it out quick

[@shaankelly1302]

My favorite zone is the Mania version of Metallic Madness. Got rid of all the bullshit, love the background and foreground gimmicks. The tiny sonic sections are fun. And both bosses are excellent .callbacks. Just on a quick thought of it. I'd have to really think hard tho about this. But as of now this would be my pick. I would say i think Wacky Workbench is the worst zone i think if i had to pick, Sandopolis being a very close second. Mainly bc of Act 2. Act 1 is fine. Act 2 is my least favorite act in all of classic sonic. Shoutout to Hilltop its my fav level in Sonic 2 also

[@osc-omb47896]

There was never any bullshit?

[@melissadavie6121]

SAME Metallic madness in mania is the definition of perfection.

[@pengan.animations]

so if it's fast, looks good, and no annoying obstacles, then it's a BANGER.

[@Fluxuation]

I never understood why sonic 1 and 2 intentionally made their levels worse for no reason

[@WWERULEZ1000]

Metropolis Zone had potential to be a decent zone, already has great music. Also unlike Scrap Brain Zone, there are areas with slopes and half loops to build some speed. The issue with me for that zone is very unfair badnik placement. The Kingler badnik is placed in narrow corridors where it is even impossible to jump over, and has a very small hit box if you want to destroy it. The Scyther badnik has the same issues plus the claws can hit you from a long distance, which really sucks if you have almost made it to the end of a long corkscrew sequence and the claws can easily knock you off them. The Staryu badniks, the abundance of them in each act and extremely little time to prepare for the shot spikes makes them a huge pain.

[@acct4600]

u have to slow down

[@WWERULEZ1000]

Speeding up on the main corkscrews together with Tails in act 3 I found actually helps me avoid the spikes from the Staryu badniks. There is a Scyther badnik poorly placed at the top of the second corkscrew but in Origins the claws are removed which is nice and it is easy to destroy it. The Sonic 2 port in Sega Genesis classic collections the Scyther still has the claws and can easily knock you off the corkscrew, making you restart the entire sequence from the start.

[@themissingbits6375]

I liked that zone a LOT. I like it more than Oil Ocean. Great Challenge

[@marcusmoores7834]

it make sense that the badniks would be placed like that your on eggmans home turf of course he'd make it hard for sonic to get through

[@acct4600]

@@WWERULEZ1000 if you stand completely still the stars wont explode & hit you. the mantis if you jump early you'll jump over his scythe attack. you just have to git gud.

[@joel9104]

I respect your opinion but damn I love spring yard, it was so chaotic on the 1st play through and the u-shaped slopes was somthing I absolutely love and makes you feel like a god when you perfectly go in and out the smaller ones next to each other. But there may be better zones like this in other games (I've only played the mobile port of 1 and mania on PS4) but spring yard zone, second favourite zone

[@JezElectro13]

Fun Fact about Sonic Mania: this was originally New Zones Only game but Sega decided to try old ones too.

[@redmaverickzero7]

Ice Cap Zone is my favorite for same biased opinions. I spent my entire youth stuck in Carnival Night Zone, not realizing how to make those damn cylinders move up and down. I knew Ice Cap was amazing, I played it as Knuckles in S3&K, but I wanted to play as Sonic with that snowboarding section and when I got there as an adult finally (after seeing a how-to online) I felt like I was 8 all over again with that bright eyed enthusiasm. FINALLY I could play S3&K the way it was meant to be played and actually save my data, as getting through S&K without saving can be a slog since it's such a big game. I love Ice Cap Zone so much for so many reasons similar to what you posted but that's my story for why I do. Great video! You just earned a subscriber.

[@hubster3055]

24:11 Did you know you can speed this boss up quite a lot by spindashing into the little robots while theyre upside down? Doing that will launch them up to hit the boss

[@millabasset1710]

I'm not going to do an entire list, but will list some popular and unpopular statements 1.) Sandopolis is terrible, Act 2 can lik scrot 2.) I love Oil Ocean and Metropolis zones 3.) Marble Zone is an underrated level 4.) Sonic CD I don't really like, however Wacky Workbench is a great stage

[@eduborgeso]

Marble zone would be great if it wasn't for a Sonic game

[@thefastcommenter7774]

Oil Ocean zone sucks. Wacky Workbench sucks

[@darkn04]

I think I disagree with every take here :0 that's a first

[@Jarquez-eg9uj]

Yeah it really shows that we’re going through hard times with sonic origins changing the Ice Cap Zone music. It’s definitely my favorite zone too, no contest.

[@OtakuDeju]

Yes some very hard times indeed. Those were the happiest days of my life now those hard times gone by.

[@JediDanD]

For me, by far the worst zone is Carnival Night Zone . . . Let me put it like this. The order I got the games was Sonic 1 for Christmas when I was four (it came with the Sega Genesis), then 2, then Sonic & Knuckles, and finally on my 10th birthday, I got Sonic 3 (I got Sonic & Knuckles before Sonic 3 because I wanted to play as Knuckles). When I was little, I thought Sonic 3 & Knuckles was simply JUST the Sonic 3 levels, but with the added option of Knuckles. Of course I was wondering "Why can I still play as Sonic and Tails, but Sonic 2 & Knuckles restricts me to just Knuckles?" When I finally reached college and got the Sega Classic Collection for Nintendo DS when I was 23, it was then I learned that once you beat Launch Base Zone, it continues into Mushroom Hill Zone, thus making both halves one complete game . . . So why didn't I know this as a child? Because as Knuckles, I could never beat the second boss of LBZ, and as Sonic, I could never make it to LBZ. Why couldn't I beat IceCap Zone? Because I could never make it to ICZ . . . . . . . . . And why couldn't I beat Carnival Night Zone? . . . Why oh why couldn't I beat Carnival Night Zone? . . . . . . What specifically caused me to not be able to beat Carnival Night Zone . . . . . . What specifically in Carnival Night Zone caused me to waste all my lives and continues, just staring blankly at the screen wondering *WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!!!! NO MATTER HOW MUCH I KEEP JUMPING ON IT, IT JUST WON'T GO DOWN!!!!"* . . . . . . XD

[@Somaiai]

You said you disliked the auto-scrolling bit of Mirage Saloon as Sonic and Tails, but Knuckles gets a traditional act 1, what are your thoughts on it?

[@wanderlustwarrior]

Honestly I don't intend to get Origins until someone mods in the original Ice Cap music and other Buxor and Jackson tracks. They're just that damn good!

[@pvzmariosonica8fan]

I honestly prefer the prototype music

[@RicardoGaspariniLage]

The famous, or infamous Labyrinth Zone. I still can remember when I experienced it back in 91. For all same reasons you said it's bad, I said it's good. The change of pace, the variety. Is the pain you must endure that make it the second most famous zone of the first game, and maybe of the entire franchise. So much so, Sonic 2 the movie dedicate a nice segment in it. Excelent video!

[@bananajoe9951]

Dr. Robotnik saw Sonic racing through each of the starter zones and set up the C and D tier zones accordingly.

[@blue.boi21]

In my opinion Sandopolis is one of the best zones in sonic 3 & knuckles

[@madeiraislander]

Mine too :D it's my favorite,especially act 2

[@bdspmouse5329]

Everyone Hates it tho weird

[@madeiraislander]

@@bdspmouse5329 probably because of the ghosts, i don't know :D i love it.

[@GuwapJp]

putting flying battery zone in the same tier as metropolis zone is so disrespectful…..

[@santaisreal]

i was a nintendo kid and the only sonic ganes i ever played as a kid were 1 and 2 through wii virtual console, but you still made this very entertaining and digestable for me! bravo

[@Clone_Riggy.]

I don’t know if you’ve already done this, but I feel like a tier list for all the classic sonic soundtracks would be a good video

[@guyerinostefanson9181]

I love all the Sonic 1 zones. Even Labyrinth, which despite having a lot of underwater sections has a pretty continuous flow of movement. Like, if you git gud, you don't have to stop much at all even though your speed is reduced underwater, but then it doesn't really feel slow because there's always obstacles to surpass. Sure it has few slopes, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad level, just an unfortunate missed opportunity as a Sonic level. Most 2D platformers don't use slopes like Sonic does, but I wouldn't say they're automatically bad because of it, even though I'd prefer Sonic's physics and slope manipulation. Also, for almost every moving platform section in Labyrinth you can just jump to the next platform up or across so there's no waiting involved. Labyrinth also has good secrets and shortcuts to find. I was also surprised when the video said Marble Zone and Labyrinth don't have high skill ceilings. The relative difficulty of Labyrinth Zone already sets a decent skill ceiling, but the bubble and drowning mechanic adds to it a lot because a poor player would get caught up on taking lots of bubbles but a good player doesn't even need to take a single bubble in either act 1 or 2 at all. Then Marble Zone probably has one of the highest skill ceiling in the classic games. The only block you actually have to push in the entire zone is the first one in act 3, all the other ones you can just jump across the platforms to get across without the block. People seem to really have a problem with that ONE mandatory block section like it ruins the entire zone but turn a blind eye to the entire two braindead autoscrolling minutes of sky chase, or the lead up to the metropolis boss that's just thirty+ seconds of holding right on screws, or the automated ring things in the S&K Death Egg that take complete control from the player for extended periods of time. On the outside Marble Zone sections you can use the grass divets to gain extra height when jumping to leap up to the platforms that go up and down without stopping. This isn't mentioning yet the multiple fake wall shortcuts. Yeah there are some stop and wait parts but they're either not long or can be minimized/skipped over. This is similar to Spring Yard where many of those elevator parts can be bypassed by taking the right path. Also, Scrap Brain has a fast paced continuous flow of movement if you're gud. I think the spinning circles in act 2 should probably also count as slopes, so the zone does have a decent amount of them. SBA3 can be done in under 30 seconds with the shortcut and there's not a lack of quality with the shortcut either even if it's like Labyrinth Zone. Basically, overall Sonic 1 is great. It doesn't have a single bad zone. I think you (Matthasnocuts) are just better at something like Sonic 2 so it plays better going through the zones compared to 1. This is the end of my shitty Ted talk. Tldr: skill issue.

[@fnsonicrick]

Agreed, Sonic 1 is underrated. Labyrinth zone music is my favorite from Sonic 1.

[@Restart_Animator]

Me only reading the end: °~°

[@gabrielmoreno9455]

Labyrinth Zone is an EXTRAORDINARY zone. I would rank it in the higher tiers without any doubt. But thanks for the video, very fun to watch, I'm just sharing my opinion. I think those zones take too much hate and they serve the purpose of balancing the game (after a wacky, fun zone with lots of speed or bumpy things, you have a more traditional approach). For me it works very well. Sonic 1 is so underrated, it is such a good balanced game. Thanks again, well done!

[@osc-omb47896]

Same, labyrinth actually makes you engage with the game after waiting or running forward. And I hate to be that guy but hard does not mean bad... titanic monarch anyone? And it manages to keep a consistent, intuitive pace. Hot take, it's the best sonic 1 level, and tidal tempest sucks compared to it

[@Jayfym912]

@@osc-omb47896L opinion

[@mantheray6109]

@@osc-omb47896WAIT WHAT DID YOU SAY TO TIDAL TEMPEST ???

[@Sly88Frye]

And I was thrown off guard every single time you said side scrolling stages. Every stage in Sonic you do side scrolling. They're called Auto scrolling stages. Years ago I used to call them moving screen stages which would still be a more accurate way to explain them then side scrolling stages. P.S: Also did you ever deal with a glitch where whatever was supposed to trigger the next enemies to show up didn't happen so you were just stuck flying in mirage saloon zone with no enemies to face and no progress being made so you had to keep going until time ran out and you died? That happened to me once and I actually got the footage captured on a live stream. I kid you not.

[@OrganicGreens]

Mushroom hill zone is my fav. Was the first sonic level I played and first Sega game I ever played after only playing mario 1 and 3 on NES . Blew my mind as a 4 year old lol. And dat music slaps so hard.

[@beanieweenie1349]

I feel like you could have bumped up Mirage Saloon a little just based on the fact that Knuckles gets his own unique first act. Also yeah, the second act boss of Sonic Mania Flying Battery sucks, I think everyone can agree

[@Wednesday131O]

Not to mention, iirc encore mode (which is dlc to be fair) has an original level, or used knuckles' act. I can't remember.

[@beanieweenie1349]

@@Wednesday131O I remember it having an original level. In fact that was really the only level design difference I noticed when I played encore mode XD

[@El_Mince]

I always liked Hydrocity.

[@Brianycus]

I'm a man of culture, but Lava Reef Zone and Mirage Saloon. Love those guys so much. Oh and Sky Sanctuary because of the music.

[@PaxFTW_YTP]

I dunno why but I always loved Oil Ocean Zone, and it stands to be my favorite to this day. Also, the bass in the music for that zone hits hard.

[@osc-omb47896]

Probs because it doesn't feel rushed or has all over the place pacing and has a decent challenge with actual decent enemy placement and isn't really ugly. Y'know, those recurring problems in sonic 2

[@thestickopia4619]

Labyrinth zone is the embodiment of the phrase Born to shit, forced to wipe

[@tonybeattie3980]

I’m so happy to hear someone else appreciates Hill Top Zone. I know it’s not most people’s favourite zone in the game, but it’s definitely mine. I just love it!

[@obiiieeee]

agreed. it's crazy how people hate Hill Top's music

[@tonybeattie3980]

@@obiiieeee I never got the hate for it to be honest. It’s not my favourite track in the game (that would either be oil ocean, metropolis or death egg zone), but it suits the level.

[@frozenminecraftmario]

Hilltop is probably in my A tier. It’s fun, and the music is really good

[@tonybeattie3980]

@@frozenminecraftmario Fair enough- I mean like I said, it’s my favourite in the game. I know you could say it’s a bland level, but I dunno there’s just something about the level design and colour that really appeals to me

[@frozenminecraftmario]

@@tonybeattie3980 There's really nothing bland about it. It's more between A and SS.

[@SquallyCoin5664]

You can spindash into the spike things to launch them into the boss when they’re upside down in the Death Egg Boss.

[@danielellis7612]

I love studiopolis not just for the level design but also how at the end of the level the reference to the buzzing light during the sonic anniversary concert with the EXACT DATE.

[@shitanotosaurus]

Tip For metropolis zone: if you murder the spiders while their scythe things are moving, the scythes fall and become useless

[@boggy2228]

No matter their placement, you know the soundstrack is gonna slap every single time

[@geometry_dude1]

The way you talked about ice cap reminds me of when I played ristar and got stuck in the music world and I loved snow levels and one day I pushed, and shoved, and platformed. I soon got to the snow world.. best day of my life 💀

[@Gabonation]

i dont know if anyone has said it before me but: the main reason why metropolis zone has 3 acts is because the 3rd was originally gonna be another zone that was gonna be a stand alone zone labled "genocide city" (quite the name for a kids game), it was scrapped for a reason i dont remember

[@my573ry6]

My personal favorite zones are the mania versions of the s3&k zones. The art is extra beautiful, and the settings themselves scream adventure. The remixed music is just heavenly. Also, who doesn’t love a fast-paced water level? I personally love flying battery. There’s something so fun about infiltrating a giant airship. And there’s so many paths to go. One time I found an area that was just a normal room, but it felt kinda secret. Lava reef is just an amazing concept overall, and the 2nd act just adds on to that. Great zone, and I’m glad the dinosaur badniks made a comeback in mania.

[@protagonist52]

i appreciate your efforts on this video

[@aqchristianz7524]

It hurts a lot seeing my favourite zone so low, both iterations 😂 The same love you have for snow levels, i have it for levels in aircrafts. I love Flying battery, especially the 2nd act remake of mania where you are travelling in a storm, going in and out of the ship... awesome. Great tier list nonetheless 👌

[@susjoe-fq6qe]

I honestly think I enjoyed the experience of Lava Reef in Sonic 3 the most. Loved everything about that zone. The soundtrack, musical/visual transitions, level aesthetic, the boss fights, all good.

[@obscuredoblivion444]

What a wonderful presentation that explores an interesting idea.

[@Joel-wr8dr]

You make a great list that is based on your opinion and My favorite Sonic zones are spring yard zone, sonic mania flying battery zone, carnival night, mirage saloon, Sonic 1 green hill zone, star light zone and sonic mania star dust speedway.

[@BlueFrenzy]

I woulr recommend you to replay Death Egg Zone act 2 boss with the knowledge that you can spindash into the drones when they are stuck backwards to launch them in the direction of the robot. The combat becomes much more dynamic and interesting, so your feeling regarding DEZ due to slow bosses will certainly change.

[@whisper_ishere518]

I love how he made this and then a year later a new Classic Sonic game came out