Video game music has been legendary ever since the days of arcade machines. As the medium has evolved, so have the scores, which range from catchy repeating melodies to sweeping orchestral movements. However, video games rarely get a chance to show music off as well as they do in specific levels that incorporate music into their design.
Whether it's through playable pianos large enough to walk on or enemies shaped like brass instruments and flutes, music-themed levels are often the favorite of video game players. These levels offer a different kind of thrill to the platforming and action players are used to, allowing them to create music as they traverse through the stage or defeat enemies.
8 Band Land
The original Rayman was first released in 1995 on the PlayStation, beginning the long-running platforming franchise, as well as its Rabbids spin-off. Compared to other entries in the series, Rayman is a standard 2D platformer, in which the player must platform their way across six different worlds. The second of those is the music-themed Band Land.
Across the four levels of Band Land, Rayman encounters enemies that resemble wrong notes and drums, while the recurring boss is the massive saxophone known as Mr. Sax. However, by defeating Mr. Sax, Rayman reminds the boss character that he should dance to his own music, leading to a happy ending for the creatures in Band Land.
7 Funhouse Frazzle
Cuphead was victim to a long development process, as Studio MDHR sought to hand-draw the game's animation, though it paid off when the game became a hit. Many of the game's levels harken back to the aesthetics of the Jazz Age in the 1930s, with Funhouse Frazzle, one of Inkwell Isle Two's run-and-gun levels, being no exception to the rule.
In Funhouse Frazzle, Cuphead (and the second player, Mugman) encounters the enemies known as Tuba, who appear at the top or bottom of the screen and blast onomatopoeias at the player. Since Tuba cannot be defeated, these enemies make for quite tricky opponents while traveling through Funhouse Frazzle, which is par for the course in Cuphead.
6 Music Plant
Sonic Advance 2 was released for the GameBoy Advance in 2002, notably being the first entry in the series to introduce the recurring character of Cream the Rabbit. It's typical speedy 2D platforming that the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is best at. However, few levels are as fun to play as Music Plant, which appears as the third zone in the game.
The level consists of many rainbow-colored pads that play notes when Sonic races across them, as well as interactive pianos and music notation. Even the springs throughout the level have been replaced with hi-hat cymbals, and Sonic's typical tunnels take the aesthetic of clarinets and flutes rather than underground mazes.
5 Music Madness
Few modern 2D platformers are as polished as Donkey Kong Country Returns, released initially for the Nintendo Wii in 2010. The game was later ported to Nintendo 3DS and received a sequel on the Wii U and Switch named Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Donkey Kong Country Returns, however, features a superior music-themed level.
That level is called Music Madness, featuring enormous drum platforms that cause Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to rise into the air upon impact. The music for this level, in typical Donkey Kong Country fashion, features a slow drum tempo that times perfectly with the in-game drum bangs, as well as robotic cymbals that clang together to crush DK.
4 Squidward's Dream
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is an iconic and underrated 3D platformer that was originally released for the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. It recently received a re-release on modern consoles with the tagline Rehydrated, reminding video game audiences just how charming and unforgettable some of its levels are.
One of those memorable levels is Squidward's Dream, part of a series of levels exploring the various dreams of SpongeBob SquarePants characters. Playing off of Squidward's desire to be a clarinet player, the level features platforms of music notation, saxophone jumping pads, and sharp symbols that will hurt players who come in contact with them.
3 Desert Of Dijiridoos
Rayman Origins properly rebooted the Rayman franchise in 2011, featuring an updated level design and a more modern 2D flair. The game even comes with its own music-themed level that arguably outdoes the primitive Band Land from the original title. That level is the Desert of Dijiridoos, which also reappears in the follow-up Rayman Legends.
As another early world in the Rayman series, it features many stunning background elements, depicting structures that resemble horns and wind instruments collapsing into the sand. During these levels, players should beware of rope bridges, which include audio file-esque shock waves that will unexpectedly damage them if touched.
2 Melody Town
Since music-themed levels are often appreciated for their charm, it can't get any more charming than Kirby's Epic Yarn. The Nintendo Wii title is notable for being much breezier than even other entries in the Kirby series. This level's platforming contains elements of orchestral music, including platforms that resemble cymbals and timpani drums.
Though it's easy to breeze through the levels, players should take their time during Melody Town. For instance, players may notice pianos on the ground that when walked over will play individual notes. It's well worth the wait to race over them as Car Kirby, as it'll play a beautiful scale of notes when players do, adding to the already overflowing charm of this game.
1 Music Park
There are many iconic courses throughout the Mario Kart franchise, but few are as replayable as Music Park. The level first appeared in Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS but also returns alongside many other stages in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Wii U and Switch, respectively. Unlike Kirby's Epic Yarn, Music Park is all about speed.
Throughout the level, racers can drift along giant pianos, playing notes as they go from one to another. The course also includes giant smiling music notes that will lift players into the air, which can be appropriately timed with spin jumps for additional flair. However, the drum platforms near the end of the stage can be tricky to land, so be extra vigilant!