Sonic the Hedgehog is revving up for its 35th anniversary in 2026, and Sega is not holding back on the celebrations. A recent Amazon listing has given fans a sneak peek into what's in store with new art and merchandise. But that's not all—get ready for some friendly competition as Sega takes a playful jab at Mario Kart World!

Sega Teases Sonic 35th Anniversary Plans

New Calendar Features 35th Anniversary Logo and Art

Sonic the Hedgehog is turning 35 in 2026, and Sega is already setting the stage for an epic celebration. An Amazon listing by Sega now offers pre-orders for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary 2026 Wall Calendar, which comes with 4 bonus notecards.

The calendar is a visual treat, featuring exclusive artwork of Sonic along with a brand new 35th anniversary logo. The cover photo hints at a journey through Sonic's history, showcasing game art from 1991 to the present. The 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!"

As an added bonus, the purchase includes 4 die-cut notecards featuring popular characters like Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Tails, which can be transformed into 3D self-standing figures. You can pre-order Sonic’s 35th Anniversary Wall Calendar on Amazon, with shipping starting on August 19, 2025.

Sega Takes a Jab at Mario Kart World

In other news, the Sonic franchise is preparing for the launch of Sonic Racing: Crossworlds in 2025. However, it won't be alone in the kart-racing arena, as Nintendo unveiled Mario Kart World during the Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2. Mario Kart World is slated for release alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Sega didn't miss the chance to playfully compete with Nintendo. On April 3, Sega took to Twitter (X) with a cheeky post that started with "Big day for worldly racing games!", seemingly celebrating Mario Kart World's announcement. But they quickly pivoted, declaring 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 heat up with CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World.

2025 is shaping up to be an exhilarating year for kart racing enthusiasts, with two industry giants launching eagerly awaited titles. While CrossWorlds will be available across multiple platforms, Mario Kart World aims to leverage the new features of the Switch 2 for an innovative experience.

Ultimately, it's the fans who stand to gain the most, with both CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World promising high-quality, enjoyable gameplay. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is set to hit PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC in 2025, though no specific release date has been announced yet.

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