Sonic the Hedgehog fans can start celebrating as Sega unveils plans for the franchise's 35th anniversary. Discover the special anniversary merchandise and Sega's playful response to Mario Kart World announcements.
Sega Teases Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans
New Calendar Features 35th Anniversary Logo and Art
Marking its 35th anniversary in 2026, Sega has begun preparations with exclusive merchandise available for pre-order. The Amazon listing reveals a special "Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar" complete with bonus collectible notecards.
This collector's item showcases brand-new artwork featuring Sonic with a specially designed 35th anniversary logo. The calendar promises a visual journey through Sonic's history, featuring game artwork from the 1991 debut through 2022's Sonic Frontiers. The official description highlights: "Run through Sonic's history with this 12-month commemorative calendar featuring iconic game art perfect for longtime fans and new players alike. Gotta go fast!"
Each calendar purchase includes four die-cut notecards that transform into 3D standees of fan-favorite characters: Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails. Currently available for pre-order on Amazon, shipments are scheduled to begin August 19, 2025.
Sega's Playful Response to Mario Kart Announcement
The Sonic franchise is also preparing for the 2025 release of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds. This comes alongside Nintendo's recent announcement of Mario Kart World for the upcoming Switch 2 console, scheduled for June 5, 2025.
Sega's official Twitter account shared a lighthearted post on April 3rd referencing both titles. Beginning with "Big day for worldwide racing games!" to acknowledge Mario Kart World's announcement, the tweet playfully continued: "Remember Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be the ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with friends." This continues the long-running friendly rivalry between the two gaming giants.
2025 promises exciting competition in the kart racing genre with these major releases. While Crossworlds will be multiplatform, Mario Kart World aims to utilize Switch 2 capabilities. Ultimately, racing game enthusiasts can look forward to high-quality options from both franchises.
Sonic Racing: Crossworlds launches in 2025 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, though an exact release date remains unannounced.
For the latest updates on Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, be sure to read our detailed coverage below!
