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Sonic the Hedgehog is preparing to celebrate a major milestone—its 35th anniversary in 2026. Recent details revealed through an Amazon listing indicate that Sega is already lining up exciting merchandise and exclusive artwork to commemorate this iconic franchise. Alongside these celebratory plans, Sega also appears ready to continue its friendly rivalry with Nintendo through Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, set to compete against the newly announced Mario Kart World.
Sega Unveils Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans
Exclusive 35th Anniversary Calendar Featuring Rare Artwork
Sega recently launched a pre-order campaign on Amazon for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, offering fans a unique way to celebrate the blue hedgehog’s legacy. This special edition calendar comes with four bonus die-cut notecards featuring beloved characters such as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose—which can be transformed into 3D self-standing figures.
The calendar itself promises a visual journey through Sonic’s evolution, showcasing original game art from the classic 1991 title all the way to Sonic Frontiers (2022). According to the product description, it’s designed to “race into adventure” and serve as a tribute to Sonic’s enduring legacy.
Fans can now pre-order the calendar, which is scheduled to start shipping on August 19, 2205, and enjoy a year-long celebration of one of gaming’s most recognizable icons.
Sega Enters the Kart Racing Arena—Again
While the 35th-anniversary festivities are ramping up, Sega is also preparing the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds in 2025. Interestingly, this places it in direct competition with Nintendo’s latest kart racer, Mario Kart World, which was unveiled during the Switch 2 dedicated Nintendo Direct event.
In a lighthearted but competitive move, Sega took to X (formerly Twitter) on April 3, acknowledging the announcement of Mario Kart World with the post: “Big day for worldly racing games!” The message continued with a subtle yet pointed remark, stating that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be the “ONLY upcoming kart racer you can play with your friends.”
This playful rivalry between Sega and Nintendo continues a decades-long tradition of fun competition between two of gaming’s biggest names. While Mario Kart World is expected to launch alongside the new Switch 2 console on June 5, 2025, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be available across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Though no official release date has been confirmed for CrossWorlds, anticipation continues to build among fans eager to see how Sega reimagines the kart racing experience with modern multiplayer features.
With both titles promising high-octane gameplay and fan-centric mechanics, 2025 looks to be a thrilling year for kart racing enthusiasts. Whether you're team Sonic or team Mario, one thing is certain—players are the real winners in this high-speed showdown.
Stay tuned for more updates on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and other upcoming Sonic-related announcements by checking back here regularly.
