35 and still running! Sonic and Mega Man finally share the frame?

Sonic’s official account marked the series’ 35th anniversary today, and Mega Man’s official account joined in with a birthday illustration for the blue hedgehog that Sega has been publishing since 1991. Sega’s official materials are equally clear: Sonic was led by Yuji Naka, and the series has now sold more than 116 million units worldwide.

Nostalgia is only part of the appeal. Sonic has lasted this long because Sega kept returning to the same core idea: speed that feels exhilarating when it works, and awkward when it doesn’t. Across its 2D and 3D games, the series still revolves around rings, Chaos Emerald challenges, and Sonic and his partners taking on Dr. Eggman. When the controls and camera line up, it still has real momentum; when they don’t, the game can feel like it is fighting itself.

That inconsistency has not stopped the franchise from building a long tail. The series has spun off Sonic Adventure and Sonic Frontiers, along with anime and comics such as Sonic X. It has also kept experimenting with newer entries, including Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds in 2025, which blends original songs from multiple artists and lets players race across platforms.

The brand still has enough life in it to make these anniversary celebrations feel more than ceremonial. Sonic X Shadow Generations, also released in 2025, combines classic and modern styles, adds Shadow the Hedgehog as a darker counterpoint, and has sold more than 2 million copies on current consoles. Meanwhile, the free crossover DLC between Sonic Frontiers and Monster Hunter adds a Rathalos skin and a barbecue minigame. That is the kind of playful side content that helps a legacy series stay lively.

The franchise still runs on recognizable strengths, not just memory. If you want the familiar rush of Sonic at his best, the series still has it. If you want a perfectly steady modern blockbuster every time, Sonic is still not it. But after 35 years, it is worth noting that Sonic is still moving, and still doing it with a clear identity.