Sonic Team boss says more 35th-anniversary surprises are still under wraps

Sonic Team lead Takashi Iizuka said Sega still has more surprises planned for Sonic’s 35th anniversary, even though the next mainline game has not been announced. Some of those plans will stay hidden for a little longer.

The wait for a new 3D Sonic game has lasted since Sonic Frontiers arrived in 2022. The series continued with Sonic Superstars in 2023, along with remasters, spin-offs, downloadable content, and other projects, but Sega has not shared what comes next for the mainline series.

There has still been some Sonic activity in 2026. A second DLC wave for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and a collaboration with indie hit Pico Park have helped fill out the anniversary year. The recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is another example of the franchise branching into new collaborations.

Takashi Iizuka is keeping the next surprises secret

In an interview with Pocket Tactics, Iizuka explained that the anniversary is meant to look backward and forward at the same time. “We want the 35th anniversary to recognize every part of Sonic’s history while also looking ahead,” he said.

That celebration will reach beyond new games. Iizuka named Sonic in Concert alongside games, music, events, collaborations, merchandise, and other special projects. He also said Sega hopes to offer something for fans from every era of the franchise.

As for the unrevealed plans, Iizuka said, “other surprises will need to remain secret for a little longer.” He added that Sonic fans are “extremely observant,” so he has to be careful about giving away clues by accident.

Future Sonic projects must still feel like Sonic

Iizuka also discussed whether Sonic Team could explore genres such as first-person shooters or musou-style action games. He said the team is open to different types of experiences, but a new project should not simply place Sonic characters into an existing genre. Sonic’s speed, action, freedom, and character personalities should all help shape how the game plays.

The anniversary’s music celebrations have also included the Sonic 35th Anniversary Music Video – “Speed is My Life”.

Sega has used anniversary events to tease major Sonic announcements before. The company first showed a glimpse of what would become Sonic Frontiers at the end of its 30th-anniversary stream, then fully revealed the game at The Game Awards in 2021. That history may have fans paying close attention to this year’s show, but Iizuka has not confirmed a reveal date or named a specific event.

For now, the next mainline Sonic game remains a mystery. The anniversary plans, however, are not finished yet.

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