Ancient ruins theme


 * For the shrine-like temple object in Sonic Adventure 2, see Ancient Ruins.

A stage that has an ancient ruins theme features a setting or significant sections with ruins of buildings in the background or on the course. In many instances, Sonic must run on or among the ruins; in other instances, the ruins are only seen in the background of the level. This theme often combines elements of the underwater theme and the desert theme as well.

Common elements include structures that are crumbling or have fallen apart, or ancient structures that are still intact but are, nevertheless, dilapidated or simply abandoned. Unlike several other themes, this theme does not usually feature special enemies.

Stages with an ancient ruins theme

 * Marble Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - This zone also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
 * Labyrinth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - This zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Scrap Brain Zone - Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - Act 3 only; it also incorporates elements of the underwater theme since the level is a different color-pallete of Labyrinth Zone.
 * Aquatic Ruin Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) - Aquatic Ruin Zone combines underwater elements with an ancient ruins setting.
 * Hidden Palace Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Beta) (1992/2013) - This zone also incorporates elements of the underground theme and underwater themes.
 * Tidal Tempest, Sonic the Hedgehog CD (1993) - Although this round mainly incorporates underwater elements, ancient ruins elements from the round's earlier timelines (past and present) predominates in the bad future timeline but industrial elements predominate in either future timeline.
 * Aqua Planet Zone, Sonic Chaos (1993) - This zone also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Hydrocity Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Marble Garden Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
 * Azure Lake Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
 * Desert Palace Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This zone mainly incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Marble, Sonic Drift (1994) - This racecourse also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
 * Labyrinth, Sonic Drift (1994)
 * Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This zone also mainly incorporates elements of the desert and haunted themes (in the case of Act 2).
 * Hidden Palace Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This zone also incorporates elements of the underground theme. Although sharing the same name as its Sonic the Hedgehog 2 counterpart, it does not have an underwater theme.
 * Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This zone also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Labyrinth of the Castle, Sonic Labyrinth (1995)
 * Rusty Ruin Zone, Sonic 3D Blast (1996)
 * Yellow Desert Zone, Sonic Blast (1996) - This stage also incoporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Blue Marine Zone, Sonic Blast (1996) - This stage also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Regal Ruin, Sonic R (1997)
 * Lost World, Sonic Adventure (1998) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Aquatic Relix Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (1999) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Wild Canyon, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also mainly incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Dry Lagoon, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Sand Ocean, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Hidden Base, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Pyramid Cave, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Egg Quarters, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial and desert themes.
 * Death Chamber, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial and desert themes.
 * Angel Island Zone, Sonic Advance (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Sea Gate, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the Green Hill theme.
 * Seaside Hill, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme and the Green Hill theme.
 * Ocean Palace, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme
 * Chaos Angel, Sonic Advance 3 (2004)
 * Altar Emerald, Sonic Advance 3 (2004)
 * Glyphic Canyon, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the canyon and sky themes.
 * Sky Troops, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Death Ruins, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
 * Mirage Road, Sonic Rush (2005) - This stage also incoporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Sand Ruins, Sonic Riders (2006) - This track also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Dark Desert, Sonic Riders (2006) - This track also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * Kingdom Valley, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
 * Colosseum Highway Zone, Sonic Rivals (2006)
 * Sky Babylon, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007) - This stage also incoporoates elements of the sky theme.
 * Pirates' Island, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007) - This stage also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Gigan Rocks, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008) - This stage also incoporates elements of the east asian theme.
 * Gigan Device, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008)
 * Arid Sands, Sonic Unleashed (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the canyon and desert themes.
 * Lost Palace, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
 * Ocean Ruin, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
 * Lost Labyrinth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (2010) - Like Labyrinth Zone, this stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme only in Act 3.
 * Forgotten Tomb, Sonic Free Riders (2010) - This stage also incoporates elements of the canyon and desert themes.
 * Seaside Hill, Sonic Generations (2011) - Like its original stage, Seaside Hill incoporates elements of the coastal theme but also from the underwater theme.
 * Sylvania Castle Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (2012) - This also contains elements of the underwater theme, similar to Aquatic Ruin Zone.
 * Ocean View, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
 * Sanctuary Falls, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Desert Ruins, Sonic Lost World (2013)
 * Silent Forest, Sonic Lost World (2013)
 * Tropical Coast, Sonic Lost World (2013)
 * Lyric's Tomb, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the forest theme.
 * Cliff's Excavation Site, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the coastal theme.
 * Abandoned Research Facility, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the industrial theme.
 * River Rush, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the forest theme.
 * The Pit, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
 * Slowpoke Isle, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
 * Undersea Bolt, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Ancient Ruins, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014) - This stage also incoporates elements of the industrial theme.
 * Cloud Sanctuary, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014) - This level also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Seaside Island, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016) - This stage also incorporates elements of the forest and coastal themes.