Sonic the Hedgehog is speeding toward its 35th anniversary, and Sega is already rolling out the festivities. A recent Amazon listing has revealed exciting new merchandise and exclusive artwork, hinting at a year-long celebration ahead. Plus, with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on the horizon, Sega is making bold moves in the kart-racing arena—especially with Nintendo’s Mario Kart World launching the same year.
Sega Reveals Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans
Exclusive 2026 Wall Calendar Unveils New Art and Logo
Mark your calendars—literally. Sega has launched pre-orders for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, complete with four bonus die-cut notecards. Set to begin shipping on August 19, 2025, this collectible celebrates Sonic’s legacy with stunning visuals and nostalgic game art spanning from the original 1991 release to Sonic Frontiers (2022).
The calendar features a fresh 35th-anniversary logo and an exclusive cover design showcasing never-before-seen artwork of the Blue Blur in action. Each month highlights a different era of Sonic’s journey, making it a must-have for longtime fans and newcomers alike. The product description reads: "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!"
As a special bonus, the package includes four collectible notecards featuring Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails. These aren’t just cards—they’re die-cut into character shapes and designed to fold into 3D self-standing figures, adding a unique decorative touch to any fan’s space.
Pre-orders are now live on Amazon, giving fans early access to this commemorative piece ahead of the big 2026 milestone.
Sega Playfully Challenges Mario Kart World
While the anniversary calendar sets the tone for celebration, Sega isn’t slowing down on the competitive front. With Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds slated for a 2025 release, the company is positioning itself for a high-speed showdown against Nintendo’s Mario Kart World, which was announced during the Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct.
On April 3, Sega took to X (formerly Twitter) with a cheeky post: "Big day for worldly racing games!"—a nod to Nintendo’s announcement. But the message didn’t stop there. Sega added, "But remember: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be the ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends." A playful jab, indeed, emphasizing cross-platform multiplayer support.
While Mario Kart World is tied to the launch of the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will launch across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, welcoming players from all platforms. Though no official release date has been confirmed, the game is expected to drop sometime in 2025.
This year is shaping up to be a landmark moment for kart racers, with two industry titans delivering highly anticipated entries. For fans, it’s a win-win—more racing, more fun, and more reasons to hit the track.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and the full lineup of 35th-anniversary celebrations—because when it comes to speed, style, and nostalgia, Sonic’s just getting started.
