Sonic Celebrates 35 Years with New Calendar, Art

Sonic the Hedgehog is revving up for its monumental 35th anniversary in 2026, and Sega is already rolling out the celebrations with exciting new merchandise. Dive into the details of the new art and merchandise for Sonic, and get the scoop on Sega's playful rivalry with Mario Kart World.

Sega Teases Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans

New Calendar Features 35th Anniversary Logo and Art

As Sonic the Hedgehog gears up to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2026, Sega has exciting plans in store. An Amazon listing from Sega has opened pre-orders for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, which comes with 4 bonus notecards.

This calendar is not just any ordinary one; it features exclusive artwork of Sonic along with a specially designed 35th anniversary logo. The cover photo hints at a journey through Sonic's history, showcasing game art from 1991 to the present. The calendar's 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 iconic characters like Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails. These notecards transform into 3D self-standing figures, adding a fun twist to the memorabilia. The Sonic’s 35th Anniversary Wall Calendar is available for pre-order on Amazon and will start shipping on August 19, 2025.

Sega Takes a Jab at Mario Kart World

Meanwhile, the Sonic franchise is also speeding towards the release of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds in 2025. However, it's not the only kart-racing game hitting the tracks this year, as Nintendo unveiled Mario Kart World during the Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Switch 2. Mario Kart World is slated for release alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

In a playful move, Sega took to Twitter (X) on April 3 to poke fun at Nintendo’s announcement. Their post began with "Big day for worldly racing games!", seemingly celebrating Mario Kart World. But Sega quickly added that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be the "ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends." This friendly rivalry between Sega and Nintendo continues to fuel excitement around their kart racing titles.

2025 is set to be a thrilling year for kart racing fans, with both Sega and Nintendo releasing highly anticipated titles. While Sonic Racing: 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 promising high-quality and enjoyable gaming 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 a specific release date has yet to be announced.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds by checking out our article below!