Ranking Every Classic Sonic The Hedgehog Level From Worst To Best

12. Launch Base Zone

Sonic Ranking 3
SEGA

As the last level of Sonic 3, Launch Base is something of an anticlimax, but as the interstitial stage before Sonic and co. climb down the cartridge, it's a corker.

The music couldn't be more Michael Jackson if it was wearing a single white gloves ("Go! Go go!"), and the urban-grunge, vaguely Red Square-esque setting is uberchic (and goes someway to explaining 'Stranger in Moscow' as the original credits theme). The slumbering Death Egg in the background certifies its coolness.

The level is stacked with set-pieces, including a long-anticipated ride in Robotnik's Egg-o-Matic. Knuckles tries to spoil the party, but Sonic casually mows him down without so much as blinking. Wonder if Eggman's insurance covers echidna attacks?

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.