The Winter theme is a stage theme that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series.
Elements common among winter stages take place in icy or snowy environments, possibly mountainous or underground. Surfaces are often slippery, and the stages may include long slopes down which characters must run, slide or use a snowboard. Many stages with this theme may contain underwater sections.
Obstacles, enemies and bosses may take advantage of the slippery terrain, or may be equipped with weapons that can freeze the player. See: Winter gimmicks. A prominent feature of winter-themed stages is that in most Sonic games, it is generally the fourth or fifth stage of the game.
Stages with a winter theme[]
- Winter Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) - This was a deleted Zone from Sonic 2. Alternate palette of Sand Shower Zone.
- Icy Isle, SegaSonic the Hedgehog (1993)
- IceCap Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This zone is a notable example of the winter theme, incorporating all of the elements that define such levels. This zone also incorporates underwater elements in Act 2.
- Robotnik Winter Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble (1994)
- Ice Cap, Sonic Drift 2 (1995)
- Aurora Icefield, Sonic the Fighters (1996)
- Diamond Dust Zone, Sonic 3D Blast (1996)
- Crystal Frost Zone, Sonic X-treme (Scrapped)
- Icecap, Sonic Adventure (1998) - This Action Stage also includes elements of the canyon theme.
- Downtown Race, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This race also incorporates elements of the urban theme.
- Ice Mountain Zone, Sonic Advance (2001) - This zone also incorporates underwater areas.
- Ice Paradise, Sonic Advance 2 (2002)
- Holy Summit, Sonic Battle (2003)
- Twinkle Snow, Sonic Advance 3 (2004) - This zone also incorporates underwater areas like Ice Mountain Zone.
- Mountain Zone, Sonic Jump (2005)
- Ice Factory, Sonic Riders (2006) - This course mainly features an industrial setting.
- White Acropolis, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) - This stage also includes elements of the industrial theme.
- Crystal Mountain Zone, Sonic Rivals (2006)
- Blizzard Peaks, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007)
- Hidden Island 12, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007)
- Hidden Island 13, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007)
- Snowy Kingdom, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008) - This track also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- Cool Edge, Sonic Unleashed (2008)
- Icicle Valley, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This track also incorporates elements of the canyon and sky themes.
- Rampart Road, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Frozen Forest, Sonic Free Riders (2010) - This track also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- White Park Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (2012) - This zone also incorporates elements of the amusement, underground and underwater themes. The winter elements predominate in Act 1.
- Mountain Zone, Sonic Jump (2012)
- Chilly Castle, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012)
- Snow Mountain Zone, Sonic Dash (2013)
- Frozen Factory, Sonic Lost World (2013) - Mainly predominates in Zone 1 (which also incorporates elements of the industrial theme), while Zones 2 and 4 have elements of the amusement theme.
- Frozen Factory, Sonic Runners (2015)
- Kodiak Frontier, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016) - This stage also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- Ragna Rock, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016) - This stage also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
- Fissure Tunnel, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underground and fire themes.
- Press Garden Zone, Sonic Mania (2017) - Mainly predominates in Act 2, this Zone also incorporates elements from the ancient ruins, East Asian, and industrial themes.
- Spaceport, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial and railway themes.
- Network Terminal, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial theme.
- Ice Mountain, Team Sonic Racing (2019)
- Frozen Junkyard, Team Sonic Racing (2019) - This track also incorporates elements of the industrial theme.
- Hidden Volcano, Team Sonic Racing (2019) - This track also incorporates elements of the underground and fire themes.
- Snow Valley, Sonic Speed Simulator (2022)
- Chaos Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of the ancient ruins and fire themes.
- Frozen Base Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the industrial, underground, sky and space themes.