Star Light Zone


 * For the stage in Sonic Colors, see Starlight Carnival. For the track in Sonic Drift, see Star Light (Sonic Drift).

"Speed through the stars like a roller coaster in a world that twists like a corkscrew."

- Description from the Instruction manual.

Star Light Zone is the fifth Zone in the original Sonic the Hedgehog.

Description
It is a rather peaceful zone set in an urban environment at night, under the stars and containing many loops, accompanied by beautiful music. This stage contains many roller coaster-like sections in which Sonic is hurled along paths at great speed; it is possibly the game's strongest showcase of Sonic's speed. Other city-based levels took similar roles in later games, such as Stardust Speedway in Sonic the Hedgehog CD and Speed Highway in Sonic Adventure and its remake in Sonic Generations.

There are few enemies here, most of which cannot be destroyed by Sonic. The most prominent foes are smart walking bombs that will explode a short while after Sonic approaches them. The greatest hazards are the bottomless pits into which Sonic can fall to his death. Fans, descending stairways, and see-saws hanging in midair make navigation harder.

Act 2 of this zone is also Sonic's last chance to enter a Special Stage in order to get a Chaos Emerald as the next zone, Scrap Brain, will not have Giant Rings at the goal of act 1 and act 2 whether the player has 50 rings or not.

Boss
At the end of Act 3, Dr. Robotnik shoots spiked mines onto three see-saws. The mines detonate soon after, but Sonic can use the see-saws and the mines to either shoot the mines at Robotnik or use them to propel himself towards him.

Sonic Drift
Star Light appears alongside the other Sonic the Hedgehog Zones as a racetrack in the game Sonic Drift.

Sonic X
In issue 11 of the Sonic X comic book, Sonic, Amy, Knuckles and Rouge travel through the Star Light Zone while trapped in a virtual reality world. While there, they managed to find and rescue Tails.

Sonic the Hedgehog Comics
The Star Light Zone is briefly featured in the "Genesis" story arc. Sonic, Sally and Boomer travel through the zone after making it through the Labyrinth Zone.

Trivia

 * Gigalopolis Zone, a level in Sonic Chaos, bears some resemblance to Star Light, but with blue metal plating rather than green. Since both zones are sited on South Island, it is not unreasonable to suppose that they may be geographically adjacent.
 * This is the only zone to feature scenery in the foreground as well as the background (the white metal pillars seen in the screenshots).
 * Although Star Light Zone didn't appear in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Scratch said they're stuck at the Star Light Zone which is a reference to the stage.
 * In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, this stages' music reappears.
 * The level layout of Star Light Zone Act 1 is replicated in Game Land: 4-1 from Sonic Colors.
 * The music for Star Light Zone appears as unlockable music in Sonic Generations.
 * This zone was originally intended to be the fourth zone.
 * A remix of Star Light Zone can be heard in the player's name and records menu for Sonic Advance.