Sonic the Hedgehog Joins Unofficial Mario Kart 64 Dreamcast Port, Replacing Toad

Sonic the Hedgehog has officially revved up to join the cast of Mario Kart 64—at least in the world of homebrew gaming.

In a major update for fans of both Nintendo and Sega, developer JNMartin has added Sonic as a playable racer in the unofficial Mario Kart 64 port for the Sega Dreamcast, marking a remarkable moment in community-driven game development. Originally released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, Mario Kart 64 quickly became one of the platform's most beloved titles, known for its frenetic multiplayer action and colorful cast of racers—including series staple Toad.

Over the years, the Sega Dreamcast homebrew community has sought to bring this classic racing experience to their hardware, with JNMartin's project standing out for its ambition and technical prowess. According to Falco Girgis, a respected member of the Sega Dreamcast modding scene who recently helped draw attention to the port's progress, Sonic's inclusion comes at a cost: he takes over the roster spot previously held by Toad.

"A new challenger is here! After many requests, Sonic is now ready to race in JNMartin's Sega Dreamcast port of Mario Kart 64," Girgis announced to his followers on social media last Saturday.

His statement encapsulates the excitement among fans but also underscores the bittersweet news for Toad enthusiasts, who will need to choose a new favorite racer in this version. To give fans a taste of what's to come, Girgis shared a 46-second gameplay clip recorded on authentic Dreamcast hardware.

The footage showcases Sonic—rendered in a Mario Kart 64 art style—speeding through Frappe Snowland, the Flower Cup’s second course.

The preview has already captured the attention of both Mario Kart and Sonic fans, highlighting the technical achievements of the homebrew community. At this time, the Dreamcast port of Mario Kart 64 remains in active development, with JNMartin currently sharing builds exclusively among close friends, testers, and dedicated Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 enthusiasts.

According to Girgis, the project is largely complete outside of some minor graphical glitches, with audio integration cited as the final major hurdle.

The shared gameplay clip, for instance, features music from Sonic R—specifically 'Diamond in the Sky'—due to incomplete game audio at this stage. The unofficial Mario Kart 64 Dreamcast port stands as a testament to the passion and ingenuity of the retro gaming community.

Though a public release timeline has not yet been set, the project’s steady progress guarantees that Dreamcast and Nintendo Mario Kart fans alike have plenty to look forward to in the near future.

Mario Kart Mario Sega Sonic the Hedgehog Dreamcast Sega Dreamcast Sonic Toad Mario Kart 64 Kart JNMartin Nintendo Falco Girgis Sonic R