YouTube channel Hidden Palace has revealed the first-ever playthrough of the Sonic The Hedgehog prototype for the Sega Megadrive/Genesis.

So what makes this version different than the final release of the game? Well, this prototype has:

• The ball that was in screenshot previews of Sonic The Hedgehog back in the 90s.
• Unused enemies and assets, like the Pink flowers in Green Hill Zone and UFOs in Marble Zone.
• Sparkling Zone and Clock Work Zone, which were renamed and redesigned as Spring Yard Zone and Scrap Yard Zone.
• No ending or credits. It’s a prototype: the game will bring you to the start screen if you reach past Star Light Zone.

You can read more about the prototype here. It’s great stuff if you’re into retro gaming back in the early 90s!