Prince of Persia

For the Sega Mega-CD game, see Prince of Persia (Mega-CD).

n/a

Prince of Persia

System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear

Publisher:

Tengen (US)

Domark (EU)

Domark

Developer: Domark

Distributor:

Tengen (US)

Original system(s): Apple II

Developer(s) of original games: Brøderbund Software

Sound driver:

GEMS

Genre: Action^[1]

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
US	1994-01^[2]	$59.9559.95^[3]	T-48286 301053-0150
EU	1994		T-88076-50
UK	1994-03^[4]^[5]	£44.9944.99^[6]	T-88076-50
SE (Rental)	199x
AU	199x		FPRI02SMC
EU	1992-08^[7]		MK 27022-50
AU	199x
BR	1992		027270
US	1992-09^[10]		T-48098
EU	1992		T-88018-50
UK	1992-10^[11]	£29.9929.99^[12]	T-88018-50

Prince of Persia is a platform game created by Jordan Mechner for the Apple II computer. It has been ported to many of platforms over the years, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Story

The Grand Vizier Jaffar has thrown you into a dungeon and is forcing the princess of Persia to marry him within the hour. You must escape the dungeon, defeat Jaffar and rescue the princess to become the prince of Persia.

History

Legacy

The game was revolutionary at the time due to the quality of the animation, and is now considered a classic among gamers. It has also inspired several sequels, starting with Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame, and a feature length movie.

Versions

While all four versions of the game stem from the same source (Jordan Mechner's Apple II version, published by Brøderbund Software in 1989), each of the Sega versions were handled by different teams and arrived at different periods between 1992 and 1993. The game was written in 6502 assembly language for the Apple II, meaning almost every version of the game had to be re-written for the differing hardware.

The Mega-CD version was the first Sega port of the game to be released, landing in Japan in August 1992. This version was developed by Bits Laboratory and was originally published by Victor Musical Industries, with Sega handling publishing duties overseas. The Mega-CD version uses similar updated designs and aesthetics as previous Japanese conversions from 1991 (handled by Riverhillsoft and released for the PC Engine, X68000, PC-9801 and FM Towns), albeit with voiceovers in the introduction sequence instead of text.

The Game Gear and Master System versions are largely identical bar differences in screen resolution, and, together with the Mega Drive version, were developed as contract work for Domark.

Domark's Richard Walker re-wrote the game in 68000 assembly for the Mega Drive, using a version of the source code written in C as a base^[13] and the enhanced graphics of the Macintosh version. The levels were re-built by eye by playing the IBM PC version of the game, with a four extra levels created by Jim Blackler^[13].

Despite having already appeared on the Mega-CD, the Mega Drive is completely different, with more detailed graphics and a different introduction sequence.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Programming: Richard Walker
Graphics: Lloyd Baker
Sound Effects: Mike Ash
Quality Assurance: Gary Patino
Production: Chris Johnson
Special Thanks: Jim Blackler, Jason Cunningham, Steve Calfee, Bill Hindorff, Earl Vickers, Mitzi McGilvray

Source: In-game credits (US version)

Programming: Richard Walker, Jim Blackler
Artwork: Lloyd Baker
Sound Effects: Mike Ash
Quality Assurance Management: Gary Patino
Testing: Ken Jordan, Tim Mawson, Matt Miller
Production: Chris Johnson
Further Artwork: Jason Cunningham

Source: In-game credits (EU version)

Master System version

Code: J. Tripp
Music by: Matt Furniss
Graphics: Matt Hicks, Saurav Sarkar
Published by: Domark Software Ltd

Source: Opening demo credits

Game Gear version

Code: J. Tripp, K. Parker
Music by: Matt Furniss
Graphics: Matt Hicks, Saurav Sarkar
Published by: Domark Group Ltd

Source: Opening demo credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Prince of Persia/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Prince of Persia/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Score	Source
Consoles + (FR)	88	№29
Computer & Video Games (UK)	84	^[14]
GamePro (US)	93	^[15]
GamesMaster (UK)	68	№16, p70
	80	№19
Joypad (FR)	87	^[16]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)	86	№20, p18-19
Mega (UK)	68	№18, p40
Mega Force (FR)	88	^[17]
Mega Fun (DE)	68	^[18]
MegaTech (UK)	82	№27, p66-68
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	72	^[19]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	83	^[20]
Player One (FR)	89	^[21]
Play Time (DE)	64	^[22]
Sega Magazine (UK)	78	^[23]
Sega Power (UK)	63	№53, p60-61
Sega Pro (UK)	83	№30, p58-59
Sega Force (UK)	94	^[24]
SuperGamePower (BR)	80	^[25]
Sonic the Comic (UK)	79	№25, p10
Video Games (DE)	70	^[26]
VideoGames (US)	70	№63, p81

	79
Based on 23 reviews

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, FR (Blister pack)
Cover

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Score	Source
Consoles + (FR)	91	^[27]
Computer & Video Games (UK)	90	^[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)	92	^[28]
Game Mania (UK)	91	^[29]
	80	№19
Game Zone (UK)	94	№4, p20-22
Hobby Consolas (ES)	80	^[30]
Joypad (FR)	91	^[31]
Joystick (FR)	91	^[32]
Mean Machines (UK)	91	^[33]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	91	^[34]
Micromanía (ES)	73	№55, p50
Player One (FR)	94	^[35]
Sega Power (UK)	92	№32, p26-27
Sega Pro (UK)	96	^[36]
Sega Pro (UK)	93	№15, p73
Sega Zone (UK)	91	^[37]
Sega Force (SE)	88	^[38]
Sega Force (UK)	94	^[24]
Sega Force (UK)	96	^[39]
Supersonic (FR)	91	^[40]
Video Games (DE)	59	^[41]

	89
Based on 22 reviews

Master System, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU

Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Score	Source
Consoles + (FR)	90	^[42]
Computer & Video Games (UK)	93	^[43]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)	91	^[44]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)	70	^[45]
Game Mania (UK)	91	^[46]
Game Zone (UK)	92	№12, p58-59
Joypad (FR)	82	^[47]
Joystick (FR)	82	^[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	91	^[49]
Play Time (DE)	81	^[50]
Sega Power (UK)	100	^[51]
Sega Pro (UK)	95	^[52]
Sega Pro (UK)	92	№15, p74-75
Sega Force (UK)	95	^[53]
Video Games (DE)	39	^[54]
Zero (UK)	91	^[55]

	86
Based on 16 reviews

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System

Hash

Size

Build Date

Source

Comments

?

CRC32	7704287d
MD5	70e9b330dd6a91e7310f3c8d9a934ecc
SHA-1	7ef7b4e2fcec69946844c186c62836c0ae34665f

256kB

Cartridge (EU)

?

CRC32	311d2863
MD5	0d636c8d86dafd4f2c337e34e94b1e41
SHA-1	7820699ee6b214f3f02f724f4d7891184caf93f8

256kB

Cartridge (US/EU)

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia.

Prince of Persia

[:File:PoP_GG_EU_Box_Back.jpg_p-1] File:PoP GG EU Box Back.jpg

[:File:GamePro_US_053.pdf_p189-2] GamePro, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 189

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p32-3] GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 32

[:File:CVG_UK_148.pdf_p102-4] Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 102

[:File:SegaMagazine_UK_03.pdf_p106-5] Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106

[:File:CVG_UK_152.pdf_p81-6] Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 81

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p59-7] Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 59

[:File:CVG_UK_128.pdf_p27-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 27

[:File:SegaPower_UK_32.pdf_p27-9] Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 27

[:File:GamePro_US_036.pdf_p90-10] GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 90

[:File:CVG_UK_131.pdf_p17-11] Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 17

[:File:Go_UK_11.pdf_p12-12] Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12

[Interview:_Jim_Blackler_by_Segacollection.com-13] 13.0 ^13.1 Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com

[:File:CVG_UK_149.pdf_p36-14] Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p32_.2830.29-15] GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 30 (32)

[:File:Joypad_FR_029.pdf_p80_.2880-81.29-16] Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80-81 (80)

[:File:MegaForce_FR_25.pdf_p112_.28112-113.29-17] Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112-113 (112)

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-03.pdf_p97_.28105.29-18] Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105 (97)

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p92_.2892-94.29-19] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 92-94 (92)

[:File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p74_.2874-75.29-20] Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 74-75 (74)

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_040.pdf_p88_.2888-89.29-21] Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88-89 (88)

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1994-07.pdf_p132_.28138.29-22] Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-xx), page 138 (132)

[:File:SegaMagazine_UK_03.pdf_p106_.28106.2F107.29-23] Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106/107 (106)

[:File:SegaForce_UK_07.pdf_p12_.2810-13.29-24] 24.0 ^24.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 10-13 (12)

[:File:SuperGamePower_BR_001.pdf_p72_.2872-77.29-25] SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-xx-xx), page 72-77 (72)

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1994-04.pdf_p82_.2886.29-26] Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86 (82)

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_012.pdf_p112_.28112-114.29-27] Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 112-114 (112)

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p150-28] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150

[:File:GameMania_UK_05.pdf_p81-29] Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_013.pdf_p102_.28110-111.29-30] Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110-111 (102)

[:File:Joypad_FR_012.pdf_p80_.2880-81.29-31] Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80-81 (80)

[:File:Joystick_FR_030.pdf_p198-32] Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 198

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_22.pdf_p88_.2888-90.29-33] Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 88-90 (88)

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-34] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_025.pdf_p86_.2890-91.29-35] Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90-91 (86)

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p58_.2858-59.29-36] Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58-59 (58)

[:File:SegaZone_UK_01.pdf_p74_.2874-76.29-37] Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74-76 (74)

[:File:SegaForce_SE_1992_02.pdf_p23-38] Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 23

[:File:SegaForce_UK_18.pdf_p74-39] Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 74

[:File:Supersonic_FR_04.pdf_p24-40] Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-08.pdf_p91_.2895.29-41] Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95 (91)

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_014.pdf_p148-42] Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148

[:File:Go_UK_11.pdf_p12_.2812-13.29-43] Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12-13 (12)

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p168-44] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168

[:File:EGM_US_042.pdf_p38-45] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38

[:File:GameMania_UK_05.pdf_p70-46] Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70

[:File:Joypad_FR_016.pdf_p149-47] Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149

[:File:Joystick_FR_035.pdf_p185-48] Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185

[:File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf_p96_.2896-97.29-49] Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96-97 (96)

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1993-03.pdf_p107-50] Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107

[:File:SegaPower_UK_46.pdf_p102-51] Sega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-05), page 102

[:File:SegaPro_UK_10.pdf_p66-52] Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66

[:File:SegaForce_UK_09.pdf_p56_.2856-57.29-53] Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56-57 (56)

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1993-02.pdf_p118_.28120.29-54] Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120 (118)

[:File:Zero_UK_34.pdf_p78-55] Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 78

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[8]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

Contents

Story

History

Legacy

Versions

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Game Gear version

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Master System version

Game Gear version

Technical information

ROM dump status

References