Sonic the Hedgehog Celebrates 34th Anniversary With New Artwork and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Tie-In

SEGA Celebrates 34 Years of Sonic the Hedgehog With Festive Artwork and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Promotion Sonic the Hedgehog, the iconic mascot that helped define generations of platforming and racing games, is officially celebrating his 34th anniversary.

SEGA, the renowned global developer and publisher, marked the occasion on June 23, 2025, by releasing commemorative artwork that both honors Sonic’s enduring legacy and teases the upcoming release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

This celebratory nod underscores more than three decades of thrilling gameplay across consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and beyond. The newly revealed anniversary artwork showcases longtime fan-favorite characters Amy Rose and Team Chaotix—composed of Vector, Espio, and Charmy—presenting a custom cake to Sonic.

Notably, the cake design features a distinct racing motif, drawing a direct connection to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the anticipated racing entry set to further expand the franchise’s multimedia reach. In the official statement released alongside the artwork, SEGA highlighted key elements that have defined the character and franchise: “Thirty-four years of racing, friendship, solving mysteries, and, of course, enjoying delicious cake.” The message reflects the emotive power of the Sonic brand and its continuing relevance in today’s entertainment landscape. The Sonic franchise has experienced a dynamic journey since its 1991 debut on the SEGA Genesis, encountering both high points and notable challenges.

Nonetheless, recent years have marked a period of significant resurgence.

The success of the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies, which have grossed over $700 million globally, has injected new energy into the brand.

In the gaming world, entries like Sonic Frontiers and the upcoming Sonic X Shadow Generations have been met with highly positive feedback from both critics and longtime fans, further cementing Sonic’s place in modern gaming culture. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the focus of this year’s celebratory artwork, promises to continue the fast-paced legacy that has made Sonic synonymous with speed.

While full details on the title and its Nintendo Switch version are still forthcoming, the prominent feature of racing visuals in the anniversary art suggests a strong tie-in and an exciting direction for the franchise’s future releases. As SEGA continues to innovate, using milestones like Sonic’s 34th anniversary to engage global audiences, the Sonic franchise stands as a testament to enduring creativity in video game history.

Fans can anticipate more details about Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds at upcoming events—possibly during a future Nintendo Direct—while enjoying nostalgia-fueled celebrations across official Sonic channels and the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Happy Birthday, Sonic!

Nintendo Switch Nintendo SEGA Sonic the Hedgehog Switch Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Sonic Team Chaotix Amy Rose Sonic Frontiers Sonic X Shadow Generations