View source for Green Hill Zone

{{Short description|First level in Sonic the Hedgehog}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox fictional location
| name = Green Hill Zone
| image = SonicTheHedgehog1.png
| imagesize = 
| caption = Green Hill Zone as it appears in the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog''
| source = [[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
| creator = [[Naoto Ohshima]], Jina Ishiwatari, [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]]<ref name="Yasuhara">{{cite magazine|author=Staff|title=Sonic's Architect: GI Interviews Hirokazu Yasuhara|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=124|volume=13|date=August 2003|pages=114–116 |language=en}}</ref>
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| people = [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Doctor Eggman]]
| first = ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991)
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''Green Hill Zone'''|グリーンヒルゾーン|Gurīn Hiru Zōn|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}<!-- See [[WP:JFN]] -->, also known as {{nihongo foot|'''Green Hill''',|グリーンヒル|Gurīn Hiru|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is the first [[level (video gaming)|level]] of the [[platform game]] ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', which released for the [[Sega Genesis]] in 1991. The level is grassy and lush, with environmental features such as palm trees, [[vertical loop]]s and cliffs, and is the home of numerous forest animals. Like the game's other levels, Green Hill Zone comprises three acts; in the third, Sonic fights antagonist [[Doctor Eggman]] before moving to the second level, Marble Zone. It was constructed by [[level design]]er [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]] with its musical theme by [[Masato Nakamura]].

Green Hill Zone is considered to be a classic video game level, akin to the first stage of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', [[World 1-1]]. The level and its music have also received positive opinions from critics. It has appeared in other games in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog|series]], such as ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', ''[[Sonic Mania]]'', ''[[Sonic Forces]]'', and ''[[Sonic Frontiers]]''. Critics have noted a Green Hill Zone-like aesthetic in levels of other games.

==Description==
Green Hill Zone is the first level of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''. Located on South Island,<ref name="Sonic manual">{{cite book | type=manual booklet | title=Sonic the Hedgehog | date=1991 |language=ja}}</ref>{{rp|4}} it is a lush, grassy stage with unique features like droopy palm trees<ref name="cubicle">{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=August 12, 2010 |title=Who Wants to Work in the Green Hill Zone? |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/12/who-wants-to-work-in-the-green-hill-zone |access-date=May 3, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> and crumbling cliffs.<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|7}} In addition, as with later levels in the game, Green Hill Zone has environmental features and obstacles like ramps,<ref name="cubicle"/> [[vertical loop]]s, tunnels, spring-boards, spikes,<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|7}} and [[Saved game#Checkpoints|checkpoints]].<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|5}} It is normally populated by woodland creatures, but antagonist [[Doctor Eggman]] imprisons them inside robots known as Badniks prior to the events of the game, so the player must destroy them to free the animals.<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|2}} Green Hill Zone consists of three acts, and the end of Act 3 features a [[boss (video gaming)|boss]] battle with Robotnik.<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|10}} After beating Robotnik, Sonic moves on to the second level, the lava-themed [[Marble Zone]].<ref name="Sonic manual"/>{{rp|7}}

== Development ==
{{Listen
 |filename     = Sonic the Hedgehog OST - Green Hill Zone Theme.ogg
 |pos          = left
 |title        = "Green Hill Zone Theme"
 |description  = A 24-second portion of the theme for Green Hill Zone, composed by [[Masato Nakamura]].
}}
''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was created by the newly formed [[Sonic Team]], a 15-member [[Sega]] subsidiary formed to create a character that could compete with [[Nintendo]]'s [[Mario]]. The game's [[level design]] was handled by [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]],<ref name="1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/essential-50-sonic|title=Sonic Boom|website=[[1UP.com]]|last=Kennedy|first=Sam|access-date=May 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328053950/http://www.1up.com/features/essential-50-sonic|archive-date=28 March 2017}}</ref> and the musical theme was composed by [[Masato Nakamura]], bassist from the J-pop band [[Dreams Come True (band)|Dreams Come True]].<ref name="cvg" /> In designing Green Hill Zone, Yasuhara was inspired by the U.S. state of [[California]], while the game's color scheme in general was influenced by the work of [[pop art]]ist Eizin Suzuki.<ref name="retro">{{cite journal|journal=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=100|date=February 2012|title=The Making of Sonic the Hedgehog|pages=46–49}}</ref>

The game's programmer, [[Yuji Naka]], stated that it took him almost a year to create Green Hill Zone and that it was created and destroyed multiple times before arriving at the final version.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 2014 |title=Book of Genesis |url=https://archive.org/details/Edge_Gaming/Edge%20Gaming%20Magazine%20272/page/88/mode/2up |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=272 |pages=89 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

== Appearances ==
[[File:Green Hill Generations.png|thumb|Green Hill Zone as it appears in 3D ("Modern") form in ''[[Sonic Generations]]'']]
While the original game was a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[side-scroller]], Green Hill Zone was remade in full [[3D computer graphics|3D]] as a secret level in the 2001 game ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''; the player unlocks it after collecting all 180 of the emblems found by completing the game's many objectives.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Sonic Adventure 2]]|publisher=[[Sega]]|developer=[[Sega Studio USA]]|date=June 19, 2001|quote='''Caption:''' Extra Stage: Green Hill|level=Green Hill}}</ref> The 2011 game ''[[Sonic Generations]]'', a title that revisits past entries in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog|''Sonic'' series]], features both 2D ("Classic") and 3D ("Modern") versions of Green Hill Zone, as well as of numerous other ''Sonic'' levels.<ref name="gens">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-sonic-generations-214666.phtml|website=Destructoid|last=Sterling|first=Jim|title=Review: Sonic Generations|date=October 31, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2014|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402145802/http://www.destructoid.com/review-sonic-generations-214666.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> A reinterpretation of the level appears in the 2017 title ''[[Sonic Mania]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Paget|first=Mat|title=Two New Sonic Games Announced, Seek to Recapture the Glory Days|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/two-new-sonic-games-announced-seek-to-recapture-th/1100-6442097/|access-date=July 23, 2016|date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> Green Hill Zone reappears in ''[[Sonic Forces]]'', having partially turned to desert due to [[resource depletion]] by Eggman's industries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY3KVTMm264|title=Sonic Forces - Classic Sonic Green Hill Gameplay|author=Sonic the Hedgehog|date=April 25, 2017|via=YouTube}}</ref> Digital recreations of Green Hill Zone appear in the 2022 game ''[[Sonic Frontiers]]'' as part of the game's Cyber Space levels.<ref name="Yasuhara" />

In addition, Green Hill Zone appears as a stage in the [[2.5D]] [[fighting game]] ''[[Sonic Battle]]'',<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Sonic Battle]]|date=January 5, 2004|publisher=[[THQ]]|developer=Sonic Team|level=Stage select screen|quote='''Description:''' MAP: GREEN HILL}}</ref> in the [[tennis]] video game ''[[Sega Superstars Tennis]]'', in the sports video game ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games]]'', in the mobile title ''[[Sonic Dash]]'', in the crossover adventure game ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'', and in the crossover fighting games ''[[Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax]]'' and the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]|developer=[[Sora, Ltd.]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=March 9, 2008|quote='''Description:''' SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: GREEN HILL ZONE|level=Stage select screen}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]|developer=[[Bandai Namco Games Inc.]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=October 3, 2014|quote='''Description:''' SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: GREEN HILL ZONE|level=Stage select screen}}</ref> In the 2020 live-action film adaptation ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (film)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', Green Hill Zone is depicted as Sonic's original home.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/11/12/sonic-the-hedgehog-trailer-movie-green-hill-zone/|title=Sonic the Hedgehog Trailer Reveals First Look at Green Hill Zone|author=Tyler Fischer|date=November 12, 2019|via=Comicbok.com}}</ref> The film series also features Sonic and friends living in a small town in [[Montana]] named Green Hills.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wong | first=Alistair | title=Sonic the Hedgehog Movie To Take Place In Fictional Town Of Green Hills | website=Siliconera | date=August 4, 2018 | url=https://www.siliconera.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-movie-to-take-place-in-fictional-town-of-green-hills/ | access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>

== Merchandise ==
A [[Lego Ideas]] set based on the level was released on January 1, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2021/december/lego-sonic-the-hedgehog-green-hill-zone-set |title= From Players to Builders: The new LEGO Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog™ Green Hill Zone set offers fans a fun run of nostalgia |author=Lego Group |date=December 28, 2021 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date=December 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EOCfI13vRs|title=LEGO Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog™ – Green Hill Zone 21331 Designer Video|date=January 14, 2022|publisher=|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/f25c8120-f921-40af-af8b-a061179e1cb5?cmp=social-5s6irv-SHOP|title=LEGO Ideas Second 2020 Review Results|website=Lego Ideas|date=4 February 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/sonic-the-hedgehog-green-hill-zone-21331?p=21331|title=Sonic the Hedgehog™ – Green Hill Zone 21331|website=Lego|access-date=December 28, 2021}}</ref> It received mixed reception from Alice Clarke of ''[[Kotaku]]'', who called it "not the most thrilling build", remarking that its price was high, but that ''Sonic'' fans would love it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Alice |date=2022-03-04 |title=Lego's Sonic The Hedgehog Green Hill Zone Set Is A Love Letter To The Old Blue Blur |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/03/legos-sonic-the-hedgehog-green-hill-zone-set-is-a-love-letter-to-the-old-blue-blur/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304020025/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/03/legos-sonic-the-hedgehog-green-hill-zone-set-is-a-love-letter-to-the-old-blue-blur/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Reception==
Green Hill Zone has been recognized by critics as a classic, well-known video game level. It has been described as "classic" by Samit Sarkar of [[Polygon (website)|''Polygon'']] and by [[James Stephanie Sterling]] and Chris Carter of ''[[Destructoid]]''.<ref name="yoshi">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/impressions-sonic-lost-world-yoshi-s-island-zone-267689.phtml|website=Destructoid|title=A very brief, but welcome joyride|last=Carter|first=Chris|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=May 3, 2014|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305051633/http://www.destructoid.com/impressions-sonic-lost-world-yoshi-s-island-zone-267689.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="polygon">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/7/4407494/sonic-lost-world-gameplay-footage|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|title=Sonic: Lost World gameplay footage shows off three very different levels|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=7 June 2013|access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name="fourpointfive">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/e3-sonic-generations-might-get-more-than-a-4-5-203416.phtml|title=E3: Sonic Generations might get more than a 4.5|last=Sterling|first=Jim|website=Destructoid|date=June 9, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2014|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073509/http://www.destructoid.com/e3-sonic-generations-might-get-more-than-a-4-5-203416.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Comparably, Joe Skrebels of ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' called it "nostalgic",<ref name="onm">{{cite magazine |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=September 8, 2013 |title=Sonic Lost World preview |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/54258/previews/sonic-lost-world-preview/ |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130162718/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/54258/previews/sonic-lost-world-preview/ |archive-date=30 November 2013 |access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref> while Christopher Grant from ''[[Joystiq]]'' considered it to have a place "in the center of your retro-gaming shrine".<ref name="paper">{{cite web |last=Grant |first=Christopher |date=June 26, 2006 |title=Build Sonic a papercraft playground for his Bday |url=https://www.engadget.com/2006-06-26-build-sonic-a-papercraft-playground-for-his-bday.html |access-date=May 3, 2014 |work=[[Engadget]]}}</ref> Kevin Wong of ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' stated that the game's and level's popularity were such that "even if you didn't have a Genesis, this was the level you played at the department store while your parents went shopping."<ref name="complex">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/09/best-video-game-music/sonic-the-hedgehog|magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=September 5, 2013|last=Wong|first=Kevin|title=The Best Video Game Music of the 16-Bit Era|access-date=May 14, 2014|archive-date=September 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909032932/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/09/best-video-game-music/sonic-the-hedgehog|url-status=dead}}</ref> Craig Snyder at ''MakeUseOf'' named the level as one of the five best levels in video games, calling it "a great way to prepare for what’s to come".<ref>{{cite web |last=Snyder |first=Craig |date=October 31, 2013 |title=5 Of The Best Video Game Areas, Levels, And Dungeons |url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-of-the-best-video-game-areas-levels-and-dungeons/ |access-date=May 4, 2014 |publisher=MakeUseOf}}</ref> <!-- Shaun Munro of WhatCulture listed it as the second best level in video games, describing it as "such an immaculate level design that it’s something developers still aspire to nowadays, though resolutely fail to live up to". He also praises the level's soundtrack and frenetic pace.<ref>{{cite web|last=Munro|first=Shaun|url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/10-best-video-game-levels-of-all-time.php/9 |title=10 Best Video Game Levels Of All Time » Page 9 of 10 |publisher=WhatCulture|access-date=May 4, 2014}}</ref> -->

The level's background music was particularly noted as memorable. Andy Kelly from ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' called the Green Hill theme a "monumental slice of Sega nostalgia",<ref name="cvg">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/345195/features/video-game-soundtracks-the-100-best-themes-of-all-time-part-1/|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|last=Kelly|first=Andy|title=Video game soundtracks: The 100 best themes of all time (Part 1)|date=April 28, 2012|access-date=May 14, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[GamesRadar]]'' writer Justin Towell also referred to it as classic.<ref name="radar">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/hands-on-with-sonic-generations-on-3ds-reveals-1991-green-hill-act-1-layout-in-3d/|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|last=Towell|first=Justin|title=Hands-on with Sonic Generations on 3DS reveals 1991 Green Hill Act 1 layout... in 3D|access-date=May 15, 2014|date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Tim Turi found the level's music "catchy",<ref name="catchy">{{cite magazine |last=Turi |first=Tim |date=April 18, 2011 |title=Sonic Generations: Bridging A 20-Year Generation Gap With Two Gameplay Styles |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonic_generations/b/ps3/archive/2011/04/18/bridging-a-20-year-generation-gap-with-two-gameplay-styles.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726075324/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonic_generations/b/ps3/archive/2011/04/18/bridging-a-20-year-generation-gap-with-two-gameplay-styles.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=July 26, 2015 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref> and Wong ranked it as the thirteenth greatest piece of gaming music from the [[fourth generation of video game consoles|16-bit era]].<ref name="complex" />

== Legacy ==
Later ''Sonic'' games often included callbacks to Green Hill Zone. Turi noted that Emerald Hill Zone from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', Mushroom Hill Zone from ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'', and Seaside Hill Zone from ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' all fit the same general mold as Green Hill Zone, claiming that "gamers have played Green Hill Zone dozens of times." However, he opined that the ''Sonic Generations'' version of the original Green Hill Zone  "trounces them all" in both its 2D and 3D incarnations.<ref name="catchy" /> Justin Baker of ''Nintendo World Report'' and Skrebels both analogized Windy Hill Zone from ''[[Sonic Lost World]]'' to Green Hill Zone,<ref name="trailer">{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Justin |date=May 28, 2013 |title=First Trailer for Sonic Lost World Released |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/34359/first-trailer-for-sonic-lost-world-released |access-date=May 3, 2014 |publisher=Nintendo World Report}}</ref><ref name="onm" /> while Carter thought similarly of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' [[downloadable content]] levels.<ref name="yoshi" /> The decision to include Green Hill Zone in other games in the series, such as ''[[Sonic Forces]]'', has been a source of debate among some fans, who believe that Sega has overused the stage since its debut.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |date=26 April 2017 |title=Sonic fans are getting a little tired of Green Hill Zone |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/26/15435090/sonic-forces-green-hill-zone-gameplay |access-date=June 7, 2017 |website=Polygon}}</ref>

The version of Green Hill Zone featured in ''Sonic Mania'' became one of that game's most "hotly contested" [[Speedrunning|speedrun]] courses due to its added complexity in comparison to the original. The fastest route through the level was noted as constantly shifting between the top, middle, or bottom segments as speedrunners further optimized the path. [[Trihex]], a notable speedrunner, called the level "a monster" due to its difficulty, including timed platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexandra |first=Heather |date=2017-09-12 |title=How Speedrunners Are Racing Through Green Hill Zone, Sonic Mania's Most Contested Level |url=https://kotaku.com/how-speedrunners-are-racing-through-green-hill-zone-so-1803781579 |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en}}</ref>

To mark Sonic's fifteenth anniversary in 2006, Sega released a [[papercraft]] version of Green Hill Zone as a [[PDF]] on its website.<ref name="paper" /> In 2011, not long after the release of ''Sonic Generations'', Sega held a contest inviting gamers to upload [[YouTube]] video playthroughs of the game's 3D version of Green Hill Zone completed in less than one minute and fifty seconds; winners were eligible for ''Sonic'' merchandise.<ref name="onefifty">{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=November 2, 2011 |title=Run Green Hill Zone in Under 1:50 and Collect Some Nice ''Sonic'' Merch |url=http://kotaku.com/5855903/run-green-hill-zone-in-under-150-and-collect-some-nice-sonic-merch |access-date=May 3, 2014 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>

During the 30th anniversary of ''Sonic'', Nakamura and Dreams Come True released "Tsugi no Se~no! De - On The Green Hill - DCT version", a single of the Green Hill Zone theme which introduced lyrics to the theme for the first time was released on July 7, 2021. A music video followed just a few months after the single's release in September of that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=September 15, 2021 |title=Sonic's iconic Green Hill Zone soundtrack finally has lyrics |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-15-sonics-iconic-green-hill-zone-soundtrack-finally-has-lyrics |access-date=September 15, 2021 |work=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=DREAMS COME TRUE「次のせ〜の！で - ON THE GREEN HILL - DCT VERSION」(Official Video) | date=12 September 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSx1G5u2oU |access-date=2021-09-17 |language=en}}</ref> An alternate version of the track with more Genesis/Megadrive sounding instruments was released sometime after the single and was titled the "Masado & Miwasco version".<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ja:次のせ～の！で - ON THE GREEN HILL - DCT VERSION / DREAMS COME TRUE |url=https://dreamscometrue.com/tsuginosenode/ |access-date=2021-09-17 |script-website=ja:次のせ～の！で - ON THE GREEN HILL - DCT VERSION / DREAMS COME TRUE}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== See also ==

* [[World 1-1]]
* [[Level design]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Green Hill Zone-article.ogg|date=2019-05-25}}

{{Sonic the Hedgehog}}
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[[Category:1991 in video gaming]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1991]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis]]
[[Category:Sonic the Hedgehog]]
[[Category:Video game levels]]
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