Top 10 Video Game Sky Levels

Picking up in the grand tradition of great “Mario Kart” tracks in the sky, such as “Sky Garden” from “Super Circuit,” is this fun level from the latest installment in the beloved racing series. It’s the first track in the Special Cup, and it gets the cup off to a high-flying start. You get to drive on a giant beanstalk, a Bowser Balloon, and finally through storm clouds with lightning raining down on you. Oh and did you notice the Super Mario Galaxy theme in the music?

The final world in this colorful yet dark action platformer, after taking a ride up on a magic bubble up into the clouds, you come across the network of floating islands, with giant tulip’s serving as the level’s main form of transportation to spit you across the floating sections. There’s a lot of things to do up here, you can take part in a series of athletic challenges or drop a basin of water onto a dinosaur down below, but you better be ready to take on a Terminator inspired doppelganger of Mumbo Jumbo in the form of Mingy Jongo.

Kirby is no stranger to the sky stages, The final boss battle in Triple Deluxe may have the epic scenery but that’s not what we’re looking for. Instead we’re going with this floating location. You have to make your way across this level in the sky, and it’s not easy, since you have to face off against flying enemies like Owgulfs and Ceruleans, but it sure makes for a good adventure. The onslaught of mini-bosses in the fifth stage is a bit challenging, but, like most levels in the series, its colorful and visually appealing design keeps it entertaining.

If the catchy 8-bit score doesn’t hook you on this hidden gem, the gameplay in its level in the clouds certainly will. Protagonist Kuros has to take down the evil Malkil, who takes the form of the four different elements throughout the game. When he turns into wind, as he does in the clouds, its up to you to bounce around the clouds to confront him, collecting all the diamonds and keys as you go. How does he bounce around in that heavy armor? Nobody knows.

One of the coolest advantages this action platformer had over its formidable predecessor was the addition of Sonic’s friend Tails, and this level showcases the fox helping out his buddy. Tails pilots a his plane the Tornado, while Sonic rides on its wings through the clouds, but the calm ride comes to a halt when the Wing Fortress shoots down the Tornado, and its back to the high speed action on the outside of Dr Robotnik’s floating fortress.

Yes Link always seems to have every stage archetype covered, mostly because of the variety of locations he’s been to, and gorgeous city easily overtakes the rather empty open sky in Skyward sword. It’s inhabited by the Oocca, a handless but amicable people, which Link mercilessly uses to glide around, What a jerk. Unfortunately, he also has to face the terrifying dragon Argorok when he’s there, but luckily he finds the useful a 2nd Clawshot which, together with the first one, allows Link to travel along the walls and ceiling when there’s no floor to traverse.

Next up is a relatively easy level from the classic retro action-platformer, but it does pose some challenges if you’re not careful. Specifically, it’s loaded with places where you can plunge to your death if you don’t have your jumps mastered. On the bright side, if you get past the section of propeller clouds, you’re rewarded with a fun fight against the Robot Master Air Man. Even better, if you can avoid his tornado attacks and defeat him, you’ll get his Air Shooter weapon.

1,500 years before the events of the game, the ancient Chozo race built this outpost in the skies of the harsh planet to be an interstellar observatory. Unfortunately, the evil Space Pirates now occupy this floating wonder. Eventually, the famous protagonist Samus was sent in by the Galactic Federation to sort through the damage and restore order. She’s got her work cut out for her, as a rival bounty hunter Ghor has been corrupted, making for a challenging new enemy.

You knew this game was coming The city of Columbia, where most of this FPS takes place, is among the most beautiful and awe-inspiring settings we’ve ever seen in a game. You get to see the gorgeous Americana-influenced design, hear the haunting vocal arrangements of classic songs, and travel around with the awesome Sky-Hook for a roller coaster like experience. It doesn’t quite hit #1 because as beautiful as it is to look at, you could have put the city over a pool of lava and it would have made no difference, plus we couldn’t quite pinpoint a specific level that stands out using the sky the best.

Before we get to our number one, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions:


Poké Floats
“Super Smash Bros. Melee” (2001)

Kingdom of Zeal
“Chrono Trigger” (1995)


Mount Olympus
“Age of Mythology” (2002)


Skies of Arcadia
“Skies of Arcadia” (2002)

Yes Nintendo games dominated this list, because well … They make use of sky levels the most. It’s equally unsurprising that it’s this unforgettable level from the revolutionary platformer takes the top spot. Even though the series has seen sky levels like Gusty Glades Galaxy from “Super Mario Galaxy,” we went with the final course in this game thanks to its varied and ingenious level design. You get to fly on a magic carpet (:45), get lead along rainbow paths, take leaps into the air to navigate the challenging platforming, and you sign off with the stage’s iconic winged ship, wrapping up what is an amazing yet challenging level.

Do you agree with our list? Which level made you want to reach for the sky? For an infinite amount of top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.