Sega has officially started celebrating 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, marking the anniversary with a new trailer that races back through the blue blur’s biggest moments since his debut in 1991.
Across 2026, Sega says it will roll out a full year of anniversary events and content, covering everything from digital retrospectives to live concerts, museum exhibits, merchandise drops and even a brand-new narrative podcast.
35 years of speed, style and attitude
Sonic launched in 1991 and quickly became Sega’s mascot, known for speed, attitude and bright, punchy worlds that stood out in the 8-bit and 16-bit era. Since then, he’s gone far beyond games, with films, TV shows, music, toys and just about every kind of tie-in you can imagine.
To kick things off, Sega has released a new anniversary trailer that rewinds through key moments from the last 35 years, aiming to remind fans just how long Sonic has been part of gaming culture.
What Sega has planned
Throughout 2026, Sega says fans can expect:
- Digital content showing Sonic’s evolution across the decades
- Fan meet-ups and community events around the world
- Limited-edition merchandise through special brand and retail partnerships
- Museum pop-ups and art exhibitions
- Live concert celebrations
- A brand-new narrative podcast set in the Sonic universe
More announcements are promised as the year goes on, covering extra partnerships, collectibles and fan experiences.
Marcella Churchill, Vice President of SEGA/ATLUS Brand Marketing at Sega of America, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 35 years of our beloved Sonic franchise with our fans. This milestone is not just a reflection of our past, but also a look toward the future as we continue to innovate and grow. We want to bring our community together and create memorable experiences for all our fans throughout 2026.”
In some ways, this echoes the announcement of Pac-Man‘s 45th anniversary in 2025. One thing we do know is that there is already a MyArcade Sonic the Hedgehog compact tabletop arcade unit available for pre-order. (And Pac-Man has just joined Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds!)
My complicated history with Sonic
Here’s my confession: Sonic was never really “my” game.
Back in the day, I played Sonic on my sister’s Game Gear, and I mostly remember being frustrated by it. I always felt like I was going too fast for my own good, smashing into enemies or hazards before I could properly react. These days, I find it a bit more manageable on the Nintendo Switch ports, but it still isn’t something I naturally gravitate towards.
Is Sonic overrated? I don’t know. Probably not. He’s clearly doing something right if he’s still going strong after 35 years.
Even if the gameplay style never fully clicked with me, I’ve always appreciated the look and feel of the early games. Those bright worlds, bold colours and chunky 8-bit and 16-bit graphics are pure comfort food for anyone who grew up in that era.
Sonic might not be my hero, but I get why he’s yours, and 35 years of success is a hell of a legacy.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
