Ranking Every Classic Sonic The Hedgehog Level From Worst To Best

9. Emerald Hill Zone

Sonic Ranking 3
SEGA

For all intents and purposes, Emerald Hill is Green Hill Zone 2. Even the name is synonymous! (Though, funnily enough, emeralds aren't actually green in Sonic.)

It's not quite king of the Hills, though.

Like most Sonic 2 levels, it's a bit on the short side, and there's one f**king robotic monkey I've ploughed into every single time for the past quarter of a century, but otherwise it's a perfect opener. The rolling terrain and verdant landscape are a pleasant reminder of hills of yore, but it has enough fresh ideas to make it clear this isn't just a trip down memory lane. Plus those chequered corkscrews were mind-blowing in 1992.

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.