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.

Source
Release Page

 

[AmandaRose]

the Genesis (or Mega Drive as known in some countries of the world).

Rather strange statement concidering its called the Megadrive in 99% of the world and only called the Genesis in North America.

 

[x65943]

Pretty cool little demo

The physics don't seem totally finished, but running along those tracks looks fun

I wonder if some fan somewhere will add some levels

 

[godreborn]

Pretty cool little demo

The physics don't seem totally finished, but running along those tracks looks fun

I wonder if some fan somewhere will add some levels

gotta love that sega sound. it does bring me back to being a kid again.

 

[Bladexdsl]

sonic with a gun

 

[godreborn]

sonic with a gun

shadow the hedgehog if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Genesis (or Mega Drive as known in some countries of the world)

Some? Try most.

 

[godreborn]

Some? Try most.

just like Wally from Where's Wally. the only place I know his name is Waldo is the US.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Rather strange statement concidering its called the Megadrive in 99% of the world and only called the Genesis in North America.

Some? Try most.

Sorry, I've always known it as the Genesis since I was a kid

 

[BETA215]

Rather strange statement concidering its called the Megadrive in 99% of the world and only called the Genesis in North America.

It's called Genesis in all America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and all those countries that nobody seems to care much about.

 

[x65943]

Rather strange statement concidering its called the Megadrive in 99% of the world and only called the Genesis in North America.

It also had a few different names in different markets - including two names in Korea alone

The Samsung gam*boy and Super Aladdin boy

The lettering there says 삼성 켐 보이 II (Samsung gam*boy)

A Korean ad

 

[Lostbhoy]

I've always called it the Sega Mega Genesis Drive

 

[JuanMena]

And I thought it was something like Nokia's Snake.

Also, the demo Kyle posted made me think of Uniracers

 

[Lostbhoy]

I want Segapede & knuckles now!

 

[AmandaRose]

It's called Genesis in all America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and all those countries that nobody seems to care much about.

For a start you are totally wrong about Brazil

And Argentina

 

[x65943]

For a start you are totally wrong about Brazil
View attachment 340446
And Argentina

View attachment 340447

Having a hard time finding good sources but I came across a Chilean who said it was called the genesis there

 

[AmandaRose]

Having a hard time finding good sources but I came across a Chilean who said it was called the genesis there

Yep in Chile it was the Genesis simply because they were imported from Sega America
In pretty the rest of South America its the Megadrive as it was licensed from Sega Japan to various companies like Tec-Toy.

 

[godreborn]

who cares what it's called. I could only assume that the name was changed, because something else was called Mega Drive over here, but who knows?

 

[diggeloid]

That's pretty cool, I wonder what they were planning to use those tail segments for during gameplay. It doesn't seem like this tech demo does anything with it.

 

[x65943]

who cares what it's called. I could only assume that the name was changed, because something else was called Mega Drive over here, but who knows?

According to some sources mega drive was already copyrighted, according to other sources the American marketing team didn't like the name mega drive