Prototype of "Segapede", cancelled Sega Genesis game set in Sonic's universe, dumped and preserved

Segapede_title.png

Back in 1993, the Sega Technical Institute worked on a game being developed for the Sega console of the time, the Genesis (or Mega Drive as known in some countries of the world). The game was initially titled "Segapede", though it was later reworked into the name of "Astropede".

The game was set to take place in the same universe as the Sonic franchise, featuring a badnik created by Dr. Robotnik named "Zipp", in an adventure to collect and cleanup something called "Chaos Dust" that infected an evil doctor (most likely Robotnik/Eggman himself). The gameplay was going to be similar to Sonic's, featuring momentum-based mechanics, but with the twist that Zipp would be able to gain abilities (like power-ups), that would change its back segment depending on the power up, like Defensive Spikes, Turbo Charger, Pulse Cannon, and many others.

Craig Stitt, an artist involved in the development of Sonic 2, pitched the idea for the game to Sega, with an initial proposal made in September of 1993, and after making a first playable version of the game (and dropping the Sonic connection), it was greenlit for production in November of 1993, this time under the name of Astropede. However, the game would be cancelled in 1994, due to the sheer amount of games that the Sega Technical Institute (STI) was working at during that time span.

The prototype features some familiar artwork, reusing assets from the dropped Sonic 2 level, Hidden Palace Zone (which Craig Stitt worked on), for the playable demo that was pitched. And thanks to Craig Stitt himself, the game's prototype was shared, dumped and preserved!
Here's some notes that Hidden Palace gives about the prototype ROM:
  • Original concept was pitched on September 21, 1993 to Sega sometime after work on Sonic Spinball had finished. The project was revised and approved for "first playable" status in November 22, 1993.
  • Game was eventually cancelled sometime after mid 1994 due to the need of having staff on other projects.
  • Game ROM is from 1994, possibly just before the game was cancelled.
  • Game consists of 1 level with music and sound done by Howard Drossin.
  • Game's first level uses level art from Hidden Palace Zone, a cut level from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Mega Drive.
  • Pressing start resets the game.
The prototype is currently preserved and available over at the Hidden Palace website for everyone to experience.

:arrow: Source
:arrow: Release Page
 

AmandaRose

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The US/NA version of MD/Genesis outsold EUR more than 2:1.
https://segaretro.org/Sega_Mega_Drive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles_by_region#Europe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles_by_region#North_America

The majority of people who have this console have the Genesis branded one, so I don't know where this 99% figure you have is coming from.
Nothing at all that I said has to do with sales figures. ShadowOne333 claimed the Megadrive was only known as the Megadrive in some countries I simply pointed out the Megadrive was called the Megadrive in most of the world. Really don't get why that is confusing to some people
 
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SylverReZ

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Another game preserved. :)
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Nothing at all that I said has to do with sales figures. ShadowOne333 claimed the Megadrive was only known as the Megadrive in some countries I simply pointed out the Megadrive was called the Megadrive in most of the world. Really don't get why that is confusing to some people
Indeed. Not only it applied to Europe but also in Asia.
 

SylverReZ

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And especially in Japan it was, wait for it, Mega Drive!

Genesis sounds cool and something straight from the 90's, but Mega Drive sounds stylish, distinct, and memorable. Much as I like the name Genesis it just doesn't beat MD.
Not to be confused with the Book of Genesis or a band called Genesis. But yeah, Mega Drive sounds like a more better name for it.
 

Marc_LFD

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We really complaining about a name like Genesis? I mean We also got a bad ass name like Sega Master System. 😎

And what about Japan? Sega Mark 3... I mean "SEGA MARK III" Almost makes me thing of Speed Racer and his Mach 5. :P
The covers of SMS always left me confused as they looked incomplete.
 

Sonic Angel Knight

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The covers of SMS always left me confused as they looked incomplete.
The whole console got me confused. A pause button... on the console? I bet the controllers was short enough you need to have the darn thing in your lap to even play it without shaking it too much. Least is not like the FAMICOM with the controllers stuck and wired into the console. :blink:
 
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hippy dave

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The whole console got me confused. A pause button... on the console? I bet the controllers was short enough you need to have the darn thing in your lap to even play it without shaking it too much. Least is not like the FAMICOM with the controllers stuck and wired into the console. :blink:
Yeah back in those days we were huddled around the console in front of the TV. Really gotta soak up those cathode rays B-)
 

codezer0

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Rather strange statement concidering its called the Megadrive in 99% of the world and only called the Genesis in North America.
And famously successful in North America and Europe in turn.

Why it was a flop in Japan, I don't fully understand. The coveting of hometown success pretty much alienated the rest of the world afterwards.
 

AmandaRose

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And famously successful in North America and Europe in turn.

Why it was a flop in Japan, I don't fully understand. The coveting of hometown success pretty much alienated the rest of the world afterwards.
The reason it flopped in Japan is simple it was the lack of third party support in the early years. Capcom, Konami, Square, Enix...they were all tied to Nintendo. When companies like Konami and Capcom finally began working on MD games it was too late and too half-hearted. Also JRPGs were a huge factor in Japan, with the two most popular franchises Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being Nintendo-exclusives and gazillions of other RPGs too.
 

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Hi Sega, why not finish this cute game for your 61st birthday celebration? Or for the Mega Drive Mini III!
 

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