Sega celebrates Sonic's 35th birthday with two game collections for Switch and re-releases of classic Genesis titles; livestream event scheduled.

Sega Sammy Holdings is marking the 35th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with exciting new releases. The Classic Sonic Collection and Modern Sonic Collection, both priced at $49.99 USD, will launch on the Nintendo Switch in October 2026.¹²³⁴

These collections will feature a reversible 35th anniversary cover sheet, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players. Additionally, Sega is re-releasing the original Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequel as part of the $100 Iambit anniversary packages, which will ship in Q3 2026. These special cartridges will be playable on NTSC Genesis consoles, with one in eight cartridges sold coming in special “Chaos Emerald” versions.⁵

Each cartridge will include a full-color instruction booklet with restored artwork and a new foreword, all housed in custom packaging. The announcements were made during a special livestream event, which will feature gameplay, activities, and music, hosted by Jacki Jing and other notable guests. The event aims to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.⁶

As Sega continues to leverage its intellectual property, it aims to challenge the dominance of Nintendo's Mario character in the gaming industry, with Sonic's popularity bolstered by recent movie successes.⁷