Sega has released a 100-track playlist celebrating Jun Senoue, the composer and guitarist whose music has defined the sound of Sonic the Hedgehog for over three decades. Titled "Jun Senoue: Essential Works," the playlist is available now on Spotify and Apple Music through the Sega Sound Team artist page. VideoGamesChronicle

The collection runs for roughly five and a half hours and spans Senoue's entire career. Sega describes it as an official playlist featuring songs to which he contributed as a composer, arranger, and guitarist. Most tracks come from Sonic games, but the list also reaches into other Sega titles: Daytona USA Circuit Edition, Sega Rally 2, Victory Goal, and Puyo Puyo all make appearances.

Senoue joined Sega in 1993 and cut his teeth on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He went on to shape the soundtracks of Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Sonic Generations, and most recently Sonic X Shadow Generations. He is also the lead guitarist and founder of Crush 40, the rock band whose anthemic tracks have become closely associated with the Sonic franchise.

For fans, this is a one-stop tour through decades of Sega music — and it is not finished yet. Senoue has stated he plans to add more songs to the playlist over time, which means the collection could grow well beyond its current 100 tracks.

This is the second creator-focused playlist Sega has assembled, following "Tomoya Ohtani: Essential Works." Ohtani, who joined Sega in 1999 and serves as sound director of the Sonic series, got the same 100-track treatment for his composed works. The pattern suggests Sega sees value in spotlighting the individual musicians behind its catalog rather than simply grouping music by franchise.

The Sega Sound Team page on Spotify and Apple Music has become a substantial archive in its own right. It now hosts more than 200 full soundtrack albums spanning titles from Sonic and Jet Set Radio to Like a Dragon, NiGHTS, Out Run, and Phantasy Star Online. The Senoue playlist adds another entry point into that catalog — one curated around a single person's creative fingerprint.

Senoue has been busy beyond the playlist, too. A brand-new song titled "Speed..." was released on 4 July 2026 to celebrate 35 years of Sonic, created in collaboration with Crush 40, NateWantsToBattle, Tee Lopes, and Takahiro Kai. Sonic on Facebook

Whether you know every Crush 40 riff by heart or have only ever hummed along to a Sonic menu theme, the playlist is free to stream right now. Five and a half hours of one composer's life's work, with more on the way.