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NOTE: This article first appeared on RyogaMasaki's defunct site "The Shadow Zone"

Below is a list of all the Sonic zone cliches, as I see them:

The Tropical Island Cliche

This is probably one of the most common of all the cliches. To my knowledge, it's appeared in every Sonic game to date, except Sonic Spinball. Common features in levels like this include palmtrees, waterfalls, bright flowers, and badniks relating to the environment (i.e., monkeys, pirahna, etc.). Furthermore, this is typically the first zone of the game when it does occur (Sonic Advance 3 a notable exception). First appeared: Green Hill Zone, Sonic 1 Also in:

Ancient Ruins Cliche

Another common cliche found in most Sonic games. Expect to find Roman style pillars, brick walls, plenty of secret passageways, and spikes. On an interesting note, alot of the Ancient Ruins zones have small, unique variations to them, usually in the area of a natural trap. For instance, Marble Zone has lava, Aquatic Ruin has water, Marble Garden has tar, etc. etc. First appeared: Marble Zone and Labyrinth Zone, Sonic 1 Also in:

Carnival/Casino Cliche

Here you'll find lots of pinball bumpers and springs, lots of stuff to keep you in the air. Also, the Casino variations contain the obligatory bright neon lights and ring giving slot machines. First appeared: Spring Yard Zone, Sonic 1 Also in:

Underwater Cliche

Another of the common cliched zones. All or most of the level takes place underwater and the use of air bubbles is critical. You'll find plenty of piranha badniks as well. First appeared: Labyrinth Zone, Sonic 1 Also in:

Techno City/Large Factory Cliche

Jeez, Eggman's one busy little scientist! It always seems like he's building a technological city for himself in every game. I've also included levels that are set in factories of city-sized proportion, since they both seem to go along together. Metal galore, electric sparks, spikes, and nasty badniks are a few of the things often found in these zones. First Appeared: Scrap Brain Zone, Sonic 1 Also in:

Flying Fortress/Death Egg Cliche

This one has been worked to death, at least in the Death Egg area! No matter how many times you destroy the damn thing, it'll climb back up, crippled and wounded, and yell, "BRING IT ON, YA LITTLE BLUE SISSY!" Flying Fortress/Death Egg zones all take place on some type of aerial battleship made by Eggman for the singular use of destroying Sonic. First appeared: Wing Fortress Zone and Death Egg Zone, Sonic 2 Also in:

Underground Cavern Cliche

This type tends to be very popular among Sonic fans, probably because the famous Hidden Palace Zone was of this type. The setting is a huge cavern, littered with badniks and traps. First appeared: Hidden Palace Zone and Mystic Cave Zone, Sonic 2 Also in:

Desert Cliche

Hot sand, hot sun, quicksand, spikes... a virtual hell. You just gotta think to yourself that those rings are hot too! Note that this first appeared in the desert level in Sonic 2 (prototype), but since we have no concrete proof except a picture, I won't include it. First appeared: Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles Also in:

Lava/Volcano Cliche

Bubbling lava, nasty traps and fire-based badniks, all part of the Lava cliche, these levels are generally tough to complete due to the hot magma that litters the zones. First appeared: Marble Zone, Sonic 1. Also in:

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