Sonic Marks 35 Years with New Art and Calendar

A recent Amazon listing reveals that Sonic the Hedgehog is preparing for its 35th anniversary. Continue reading to discover the fresh artwork and merchandise, along with Sega's playful nod to Mario Kart World.

Sega Hints at Sonic's 35th Anniversary Celebrations

New Calendar Showcases Special 35th Anniversary Logo and Art

Sonic the Hedgehog will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026, and Sega appears to be preparing early for the occasion. According to a Sega listing on Amazon, pre-orders are now open for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, which comes with four bonus notecards.

The calendar features exclusive, never-before-seen illustrations of Sonic, complete with a brand-new 35th-anniversary emblem. Based on the cover image, the calendar will highlight Sonic's journey through game artwork spanning from 1991 to today. The description states, "Dive into adventure and commemorate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 35th anniversary with this 12-month retrospective calendar. Showcasing original game art from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) to Sonic Frontiers (2022), it’s an ideal collectible for fans both new and veteran. Gotta go fast!"

In addition, each purchase includes four die-cut notecards featuring beloved characters from the series—Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails—that can be assembled into freestanding 3D figures. As per the listing, the Sonic 35th Anniversary Wall Calendar is available for pre-order on Amazon and will start shipping on August 19, 2025.

Sega Playfully Pokes Fun at Mario Kart World

Meanwhile, the Sonic franchise is also anticipating the launch of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds sometime in 2025. Yet it seems Sonic won't be the only kart racer hitting the market this year, as Nintendo unveiled Mario Kart World during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2. Mario Kart World is scheduled to launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

On April 3, Sega posted on Twitter (X) in what seems to be a lighthearted jab at Nintendo's Mario Kart World announcement. The tweet began with, "Big day for worldly racing games!"—appearing to celebrate the news. However, Sega went on to emphasize that Sonic Racing: Crossworlds will be the "ONLY upcoming kart racer you can enjoy with your friends." Sega and Nintendo have maintained a friendly rivalry over the years, and this appears to continue with Crossworlds and Mario Kart World.

This year is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive period for kart racing enthusiasts as two industry giants launch beloved titles. While Crossworlds will be available across all platforms, Mario Kart World aims to innovate and leverage the capabilities of the upcoming Switch 2.

In any case, fans are the real winners here, given the impressive quality and entertainment value both Crossworlds and Mario Kart World seem to offer. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is slated for a 2025 release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. An exact release date has not yet been officially confirmed.

For the latest updates on Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, take a look at our article below!