- For the shrine-like temple object in Sonic Adventure 2, see Ancient Ruins.
- For the level in Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, see Ancient Ruins.
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 theme[]
- Marble Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
- Labyrinth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Scrap Brain Zone - Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - Act 3 only; it also incorporates elements of the underwater theme since the level is a different color-palette of Labyrinth Zone.
- Aqua Lake Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit) (1992) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Aquatic Ruin Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) - Aquatic Ruin Zone combines underwater elements with an ancient ruins setting.
- Hidden Palace Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Beta) (1992/2013) - This zone also incorporates elements of the underground theme and underwater themes.
- Tidal Tempest, Sonic the Hedgehog CD (1993) - Although this round mainly incorporates underwater elements, ancient ruin and underground elements from the round's earlier timelines (past and present) predominates in the bad future timeline but industrial elements predominate in either future timeline.
- Aqua Planet Zone, Sonic Chaos (1993) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Hydrocity Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underground and the underwater themes.
- Marble Garden Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994)
- Azure Lake, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This Zone incorporates elements of the Underwater theme.
- Desert Palace, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) - This Zone mainly incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Marble, Sonic Drift (1994) - This racecourse also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
- Labyrinth, Sonic Drift (1994)
- Sandopolis Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This Zone also mainly incorporates elements of the desert and haunted themes (in the case of Act 2).
- Hidden Palace Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underground theme. Although sharing the same name as its Sonic the Hedgehog 2 counterpart, it does not have an underwater theme.
- Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic & Knuckles (1994) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Labyrinth of the Castle, Sonic Labyrinth (1995) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the Haunted theme.
- Rusty Ruin Zone, Sonic 3D Blast (1996)
- Yellow Desert Zone, Sonic Blast (1996) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Blue Marine Zone, Sonic Blast (1996) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Regal Ruin, Sonic R (1997)
- Lost World, Sonic Adventure (1998) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Aquatic Relix Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (1999) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Wild Canyon, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also mainly incorporates elements of the canyon and desert themes.
- Dry Lagoon, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- 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 and desert themes.
- Death Chamber, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the haunted and underwater themes.
- Cannon's Core, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial, space and underwater themes (Knuckles' section only).
- Angel Island Zone, Sonic Advance (2001) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Sea Gate, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the Green Hill theme.
- Seaside Hill, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme and the Green Hill theme.
- Ocean Palace, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme.
- Egg Treat, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme
- Road Rock, Sonic Heroes (2003)
- Turtle Shell, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme.
- Seaside Course, Sonic Heroes (2003) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme and the Green Hill theme.
- Chaos Angel, Sonic Advance 3 (2004) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Altar Emerald, Sonic Advance 3 (2004)
- Glyphic Canyon, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the canyon and sky themes.
- Sky Troops, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Death Ruins, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
- Mirage Road, Sonic Rush (2005) - This stage also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Sand Ruins, Sonic Riders (2006) - This track also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Dark Desert, Sonic Riders (2006) - This track also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Kingdom Valley, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
- Colosseum Highway Zone, Sonic Rivals (2006)
- Sky Babylon, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Pirates' Island, Sonic Rush Adventure (2007) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Hydropolis Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog (Didj) (2008) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the desert theme and underground theme.
- Gigan Rocks, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the East Asian theme.
- Gigan Device, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008)
- Mystic Ruins, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (2008) - This area also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- Dragon Road, Sonic Unleashed (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the East Asian theme.
- Cool Edge, Sonic Unleashed (Wii/PlayStation 2 version) (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the winter theme.
- Arid Sands, Sonic Unleashed (2008) - This stage also incorporates elements of the canyon and desert themes.
- Lost Palace, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
- Ocean Ruin, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (2010) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
- Lost Labyrinth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (2010) - Like Labyrinth Zone, this stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme only in Act 3.
- Forgotten Tomb, Sonic Free Riders (2010) - This stage also incorporates elements of the canyon and desert themes.
- Seaside Hill, Sonic Generations (2011) - Like its original stage, Seaside Hill incoporates elements of the coastal theme but also from the underwater theme.
- Sylvania Castle Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (2012) - This also contains elements of the underwater theme, similar to Aquatic Ruin Zone.
- Ocean View, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal and green hill themes.
- Sanctuary Falls, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (2012) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Seaside Hill Zone, Sonic Dash (2013) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the coastal theme and the Green Hill theme.
- Temple Zone, Sonic Dash (2013) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the coastal theme.
- Sky Sanctuary Zone, Sonic Dash (2013) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Desert Ruins, Sonic Lost World (2013)
- Silent Forest, Sonic Lost World (2013)
- Tropical Coast, Sonic Lost World (2013)
- Lyric's Tomb, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- Cliff's Excavation Site, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the coastal theme.
- Abandoned Research Facility, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial theme.
- River Rush, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the forest theme.
- The Pit, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
- Slowpoke Isle, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
- Undersea Bolt, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Ancient Ruins, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014) - This stage also incorporates elements of the industrial theme.
- Cloud Sanctuary, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014) - This level also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Seaside Island, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016) - This stage also incorporates elements of the forest and coastal themes.
- Sky Sanctuary, Sonic Runners Adventure (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Press Garden Zone, Sonic Mania (2017) - This Zone also incorporates elements from industrial theme, east asian theme, and winter themes.
- Stardust Speedway Zone, Sonic Mania (2017) - Act 1 only. This stage mainly incorporates elements of the urban theme.
- Hydrocity Zone, Sonic Mania (2017) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underground and the underwater themes.
- Luminous Forest, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Casino Forest, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Eggman's Facility, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Fire Cannon 1, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Vanish Panel 2, Sonic Forces (2017) - This stage also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Ancient Isles, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Celestial Skyway, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Celestial Skyway R, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Pinnacle Peaks, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Spiral Heights, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Temple Gate, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Temple Gate R, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Dash Vegas, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Electric Arbor, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Glowing Grotto, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Lambent Grove, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Tangled Tunnels, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle (2017) - This track also incorporates elements of the amusement and forest themes.
- Ocean View, Team Sonic Racing (2019) - This track also incorporates elements of the coastal and Green Hill themes.
- Lost Palace, Team Sonic Racing (2019) - This track also incorporates elements of the coastal and Green Hill themes.
- 1-2, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- 2-2, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- 2-5, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- 2-7, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- 3-3, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- 3-6, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This stage also incorporates elements of the sky and cyberspace themes.
- Kronos Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of the coastal and forest themes.
- Ares Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of the coastal and desert themes.
- Chaos Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of the fire theme.
- Rhea Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of coastal and forest themes.
- Ouranos Island, Sonic Frontiers (2022) - This Open-Zone area also incorporates elements of coastal and forest themes.
- Speed Jungle Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the forest and industrial themes.
- Sky Temple Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the sky theme.
- Lagoon City Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the underwater theme.
- Sand Sanctuary Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the desert theme.
- Golden Capital Zone, Sonic Superstars (2023) - This Zone also incorporates elements of the amusement and fire themes.