Sonic the Hedgehog is preparing for its 35th anniversary celebration, as evidenced by a recent Amazon listing. Discover the brand-new artwork and collectibles, along with Sega's playful response to Mario Kart World.

Sega Unveils Sonic's 35th Anniversary Roadmap

Special Edition Calendar Showcases Anniversary Logo and Exclusive Art

As Sonic the Hedgehog approaches its 35th anniversary in 2026, Sega is already launching commemorative merchandise. Amazon now features pre-orders for the special 2026 wall calendar, complete with four collectible notecards.

The calendar displays never-before-seen Sonic artwork featuring the official 35th anniversary logo. Cover images suggest a visual journey through Sonic's gaming history, spanning from the 1991 original to modern titles. The product description states: "Speed through Sonic's legacy with this 12-month retrospective calendar showcasing game art from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) through Sonic Frontiers (2022). Perfect for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise."

Each purchase includes four die-cut notecards featuring Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails that transform into 3D figures. Pre-orders are currently available on Amazon, with shipping scheduled to begin August 19, 2025.

Sega Playfully Challenges Mario Kart World Announcement

Meanwhile, the Sonic franchise prepares to launch Sonic Racing: Crossworlds in 2025. The timing coincides with Nintendo's announcement of Mario Kart World during their Switch 2 presentation, scheduled for release alongside the new console on June 5, 2025.

Sega responded to Nintendo's announcement on April 3 via Twitter/X with apparent good humor. Their post began by acknowledging "a big day for worldwide racing games," before asserting that Sonic Racing: Crossworlds would be "the ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends." The lighthearted rivalry between the two gaming giants continues with these competing racing titles.

2025 promises to be an exhilarating year for kart racing enthusiasts as two industry leaders release major titles. While Crossworlds will enjoy multi-platform availability, Mario Kart World aims to leverage the technical capabilities of Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2.

Ultimately, players stand to benefit from both high-quality racing experiences. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is confirmed for release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC in 2025, though an exact launch date remains unannounced.

For the latest updates on Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, explore our dedicated coverage below.