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 themeEdit

• 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.
• Marble Garden Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
• Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994)
• Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994)
• 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)
• Dry Lagoon, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
• 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 theme..
• Death Chamber, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial theme and the desert theme.
• Seaside Hill, Sonic Heroes (2003)
• Ocean Palace, Sonic Heroes (2003)
• Chaos Angel, Sonic Advance 3 (2004)
• Glyphic Canyon, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
• Sky Troops, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
• Death Ruins, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
• Sand Ruins, Sonic Riders (2006) - This level also contains elements of the desert theme.
• Dark Desert, Sonic Riders (2006) - This level also contains elements of the desert theme.
• Kingdom Valley, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
• Gigan Rocks, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008)
• Gigan Device, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008)
• Shamar, Sonic Unleashed (2008) - Unlike other examples of ancient ruins, which are abandoned, these ruins seem to be part of the scenery the Shamar residents see from day to day.
• Forgotten Tomb, Sonic Free Riders (2010)
• Lost Labyrinth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
• Sylvania Castle Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (2012) - This also contains elements of the underwater theme, similar to Aquatic Ruin Zone.