Sonic the Hedgehog is preparing for its 35th anniversary celebration, as indicated by a recent Amazon merchandise listing. Discover details about the special anniversary artwork and Sega's playful response to Mario Kart World.

Sega Announces Early Plans for Sonic's 35th Anniversary

Exclusive Anniversary Artwork Revealed in New Calendar

As Sonic the Hedgehog approaches its 35th anniversary in 2026, Sega has unveiled early celebration plans. Available now for pre-order on Amazon is the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Wall Calendar, complete with four collectible notecards.

The calendar features brand-new artwork of Sonic bearing a special anniversary logo. Preview images suggest the product will take fans on a visual journey through the franchise's history, from the original 1991 game through Sonic Frontiers (2022). The product description states: "Speed through 35 years of adventure with this commemorative calendar showcasing classic game artwork from Sonic's debut to modern releases. Perfect for dedicated and new fans alike!"

Purchasers will receive four specially designed notecards featuring iconic characters - Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails - that transform into 3D stand-up figures. The calendar is currently available for pre-order with an expected shipping date of August 19, 2025.

Friendly Competiton Heats Up Between Racing Franchises

Meanwhile, the Sonic franchise prepares to launch Sonic Racing: Crossworlds in 2025. This racing title will face competition from Nintendo's recently announced Mario Kart World, scheduled to release alongside the Switch 2 console on June 5, 2025.

Sega's official Twitter account posted a lighthearted response on April 3: "Big day for worldwide racing games!" While acknowledging Mario Kart World's announcement, the company playfully asserted that Sonic Racing: Crossworlds would be "the ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends." This continues the long-standing friendly rivalry between Sega and Nintendo.

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for racing game enthusiasts, with major franchises releasing new titles. While Crossworlds will be available across all major platforms, Mario Kart World will utilize the technical capabilities of Nintendo's next-generation console.

Fans ultimately benefit from this competition, as both games promise high-quality racing experiences. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds will launch in 2025 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, though the exact release date remains unconfirmed.

For the latest updates on Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, be sure to check out our dedicated coverage below!