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 is set in a submerged ruin and contains underwater elements.
 * Aquatic Ruin Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) - Aquatic Ruin Zone combines underwater elements with an ancient ruins setting.
 * Aqua Planet Zone, Sonic Chaos (1993) - This stage also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Marble Garden Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
 * Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This zone also mainly incorporates elements of the desert and haunted themes (in the case of Act 2).
 * Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This zone also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * Tidal Plant Zone, Sonic Triple Trouble (1994) - This stage also incoporates elements of the underwater theme.
 * Labyrinth of the Castle, Sonic Labyrinth (1995)
 * Rusty Ruin Zone, Sonic 3D (1996)
 * Regal Ruin, Sonic R (1997)
 * Lost World, Sonic Adventure (1998)
 * Angel Island Zone, Sonic Advance (1999)
 * 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 theme and the desert themes..
 * Death Chamber, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial and the desert themes.
 * 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 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 (2003)
 * Glyphic Canyon, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
 * 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) - This track also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
 * 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)
 * Gigan Device, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008)
 * Arid Sands, Sonic Unleashed (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme. Unlike most ancient ruins-themed stages, these ruins are visited by the local residents of Shamar from day to day.
 * Forgotten Tomb, Sonic Free Riders (2010)
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * Desert Ruins, Sonic Lost World, (2013)
 * Silent Forest, Sonic Lost World (2013)
 * Tropical Coast, Sonic Lost World (2013)