Sonic the Hedgehog is gearing up for a spectacular 35th anniversary celebration in 2026, as revealed by a recent Amazon listing. Dive in to discover more about the fresh art and merchandise lined up, along with Sega's playful jab at Mario Kart World.
Sega Teases Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans
New Calendar Features 35th Anniversary Logo and Art
Sonic the Hedgehog is set to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026, and Sega is already rolling out the red carpet for the occasion. An Amazon listing by Sega offers pre-orders for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, complete with 4 bonus notecards.
The calendar boasts exclusive artwork of Sonic, adorned with a special 35th anniversary logo. The cover photo hints at a journey through Sonic's history, featuring game art from 1991 to the present. The product description promises, "Race into adventure and celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 35th anniversary with this 12-month retrospective calendar. Featuring original game art from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) to Sonic Frontiers (2022), this calendar is perfect for Sonic fans new and old. Gotta go fast!"
Moreover, the purchase includes 4 die-cut notecards featuring beloved characters like Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails, which can be transformed into 3D self-standing figures. Pre-orders for Sonic’s 35th Anniversary Wall Calendar are now open on Amazon, with shipping set to begin on August 19, 2025.
Sega Takes a Jab at Mario Kart World
On another front, the Sonic franchise is preparing for the launch of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds in 2025. However, it's not alone in the kart-racing arena, as Nintendo announced Mario Kart World during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2. Mario Kart World is slated for release alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
Sega took to Twitter (X) on April 3 to playfully poke at Nintendo’s announcement. The post began with "Big day for worldly racing games!", seemingly in celebration of Mario Kart World. Yet, Sega quickly added that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds would be the "ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends." This friendly rivalry between Sega and Nintendo continues with the upcoming releases of CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World.
The year 2025 promises to be an exhilarating and competitive period for kart racing enthusiasts, with two industry giants launching eagerly anticipated titles. While CrossWorlds will be available across multiple platforms, Mario Kart World aims to leverage the innovative features of the upcoming Switch 2.
Ultimately, fans are the real winners here, with both CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World set to deliver high-quality, enjoyable experiences. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is scheduled for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, though no specific release date has been announced yet.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds by checking out our article below!
