Music is one of the biggest provocateurs of positive feelings associated with just about any media you’ve come in contact with. Visuals have their own specific charm, but there’s nothing that’ll give you that sweet rush of serotonin associated with having played a game like listening to the bops from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Especially with Sonic Colors Ultimate coming out next month, a remaster of the original Sonic Colors, there’s no better time to give in to the sweet-sounding nostalgia of the pleasant times many gamers have experienced with any of the Sonic games.
10) Sonic Boom – Pastiche (Sonic CD)
A classic song in the Sonic franchise, set as the theme for the US version of the 1993 game Sonic CD. It’s often compared to the Japanese-European opening for the game “You Can Do Anything” which is definitely a bit more nonsensical and fits Sonic’s character. However, “Sonic Boom” is better in that it fits the speed of a platformer’s gameplay and also imparts a much more nostalgic feeling for gamers when they hear it, even if it came out before their time.
9) Endless Possibility – Jaret Reddick (Sonic Unleashed)
One of the most uplifting songs in the franchise, “Endless Possibility” will make you feel like you can do absolutely anything. Performed by the lead singer of Bowling for Soup, it has a very distinct sound in comparison to a lot of the other songs you’ll hear in Sonic games and will definitely bring you back to a time where pop punk was king.
8) His World – Ali Tabatabaee & Matty Lewis from Zebrahead (Sonic the Hedgehog)
While the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game leaves much to be desired, this just further proves that point that regardless of the quality, none of the Sonic games are allowed to have even sub-par music. A punk rock song recounting Sonic and all of his feats is one that you can’t help but nod your head to.
7) Sonic Heroes Theme – Crush 40 (Sonic Heroes)
Crush 40 knocks it out of the park again in what is understandably one of the best songs in the franchise. Using hard rock to narrate the goals of the game with an emphasis on the teamwork that Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles must use to ultimately beat Doctor Eggman is very effective and stands out to this day.
6) I Am (All of Me) – Crush 40 (Shadow the Hedgehog)
Everyone loves an unapologetic bad boy, and this song perfectly relays that of the character Shadow the Hedgehog. “I Am (All of Me)” is the main theme of this spin off specifically for lovers of his character. It’s a hardcore rock song, done again by the powerhouse Crush 40. In the end, just an absolutely unforgettable song, and one that you should enjoy unabashedly.
5) Gotta Go Fast – Norman J. Grossfeld, Joseph Garrity, and Russell Velázquez (Sonic X)
While being the only song on the list not specifically from a Sonic game, “Gotta Go Fast” from the television series Sonic X is by far one of the best known songs in the franchise and embodies Sonic’s character in one of the most boppin’ and easy to understand ways possible. Along with being a song that you just can’t get out of your head, it’s bound to pull you back to a simpler time where Saturday morning cartoons were an inherent part of your schedule.
4) Live & Learn – Crush 40 (Sonic Adventure 2)
This song will really have you coming back for more. “Live & Learn” plays in Sonic Adventure 2 during the final fight where Sonic and and Shadow team up to fight the boss of the game. Crush 40 is renowned for the work they’ve put into the Sonic soundtracks and is rightfully most well known for this song. It does well to transmit the excitement one should feel in a boss battle while also emphasizing the importance of Sonic and Shadow working together to save the world despite clashing beforehand.
3) Friends – Hyper Potions (SONIC MANIA)
Sonic Mania was created for the 25th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and in being a love letter to the fans, they created one of the most beloved opening sequences using a charming animation style and the song “Friends” by Hyper Potions. With a light hearted EDM feel, this song will get your spirits up regardless of how you feel before listening to it.
2) Reach for the Stars – Cash Cash (Sonic Colors)
Just keep on running and move yourself to the electronic rhythm of the main theme from the original Sonic Colors. This song is super high spirited and evokes a lot of Owl City vibes, which coincidentally was at its height in popularity around the time that Sonic Colors came out. With such a specific, fun sound, it brings about only good feelings of whatever period you were at in your life playing this game. 1
1) Escape from the City – Ted Poley & Tony Harnell (Sonic Adventure 2)
No better way to follow your rainbow than listening to one of the most well-known and beloved songs in all of the Sonic the Hedgehog games. “Escape from the City” is the level song during the City Escape mission, where Sonic traverses an urban terrain in an attempt to evade being recaptured by military personnel who had arrested him for a crime he wasn’t responsible for. The song relays itself perfectly to Sonic’s badass attitude and really sets the pace for a pursuit.
