Prince of Persia

For the Mega-CD version, see Prince of Persia (Mega-CD)

n/a

Prince of Persia

Publisher:

Tengen (US), Domark (EU),

Domark

Developer:

Domark,

Developer(s) of original games: Brøderbund Software

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

Original system(s): Apple II

Sound driver:

GEMS

Genre: Action

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
US	1994-01^[2]	$59.95^[1]	T-48286
UK	1994-03^[4]	£44.99^[3]	T-88076-50
FR	1994	?F	T-88076-50
DE	1994	DM ?	T-88076-50
ES	1994	?Ptas	T-88076-50
AU	199x	$?	?


UK	1992-08^[6]	£29.99^[5]	MK 27022-50
FR	1992-08^[6]	?F	MK 27022-50
DE	1992-08^[6]	DM ?	MK 27022-50
ES	1992-08^[6]	?Ptas	MK 27022-50
AU	199x	$?	?
BR	1992	R$?	027270


US	1992-09^[7]	$?	T-48098
UK	1992-10^[9]	£29.99^[8]	T-88018-50
FR	1992	?F	T-88018-50
DE	1992	DM ?	T-88018-50
ES	1992	?Ptas	T-88018-50
IT	1992	?£	T-88018-50

VRC

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, Sharp 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^[10] 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^[10].

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	№149, p36^[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)	80	№bg98, p86
GamePro (US)	93	№57, p30^[1]
GamesMaster (UK)	68	№16, p70
No results	80	№19
Joypad (FR)	87	№29, p80-81^[12]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)	86	№20, p18-19
Mega (UK)	68	№18, p40
Mega Force (FR)	88	№25, p112-113^[13]
Mega Fun (DE)	68	№3/94, p105^[14]
MegaTech (UK)	82	№27, p66-68
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	72	№1, p92-94^[15]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	83	№18, p74-75^[16]
Player One (FR)	89	№40, p88-89^[17]
Play Time (DE)	64	№7/94, p138^[18]
Sega Magazine (UK)	78	№3, p106-107
Sega Power (UK)	63	№53, p60-61
Sega Pro (UK)	83	№30, p58-59
Sega Force (UK)	94	№7, p10-13^[19]
SuperGamePower (BR)	80	№1, p72-77^[20]
Sonic the Comic (UK)	79	№25, p10
Video Games (DE)	70	№4/94, p86^[21]
VideoGames (US)	70	№63, p81

	79
Based on 24 reviews

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Score	Source
Consoles + (FR)	91	№12, p112-114^[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)	90	№128, p27^[5]
Essential Sega Guide (UK)	92	№1, p150^[23]
No results	80	№19
Game Zone (UK)	94	№4, p20-22
Hobby Consolas (ES)	80	№13, p110-111^[24]
Joypad (FR)	91	№12, p80-81^[25]
Joystick (FR)	91	№30, p198^[26]
Mean Machines (UK)	91	№22, p88-90^[27]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	91	№1, p135^[28]
Micromanía (ES)	73	№55, p50
Player One (FR)	94	№25, p90-91^[29]
Sega Power (UK)	92	№32, p26-27
Sega Power (UK)	100	№46, p101^[30]
Sega Pro (UK)	96	№9, p58-59^[31]
Sega Pro (UK)	93	№15, p73
Sega Zone (UK)	91	№1, p74-76^[32]
Sega Force (SE)	88	№2/92, p23^[33]
Sega Force (UK)	94	№7, p10-13^[19]
Sega Force (UK)	96	№18, p74^[34]
Supersonic (FR)	91	№4, p24
Video Games (DE)	59	№8/92, p95^[35]

	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	№14, p148^[36]
Computer & Video Games (UK)	93	№130 (Go!), p12-13^[8]
Essential Sega Guide (UK)	91	№1, p168^[37]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)	70	№42, p38^[38]
Game Zone (UK)	92	№12, p58-59
Joypad (FR)	82	№16, p149^[39]
Joystick (FR)	82	№35, p185^[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)	91	№4, p96-97^[41]
Play Time (DE)	81	№3/93, p107^[42]
Sega Power (UK)	100	№46, p102^[43]
Sega Pro (UK)	95	№10, p66^[44]
Sega Pro (UK)	92	№15, p74-75
Sega Force (UK)	95	№9, p56-57^[45]
Video Games (DE)	39	№2/93, p120^[46]
Zero (UK)	91	№34, p78^[47]

	86
Based on 15 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

Main page | Comparisons | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Region coding

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p32-1] 1.0 ^1.1 File:GamePro US 057.pdf, page 32

[:File:GamePro_US_053.pdf_p189-2] File:GamePro US 053.pdf, page 189

[:File:CVG_UK_152.pdf_p81-3] File:CVG UK 152.pdf, page 81

[:File:CVG_UK_148.pdf_p102-4] File:CVG UK 148.pdf, page 102

[:File:CVG_UK_128.pdf_p27-5] 5.0 ^5.1 File:CVG UK 128.pdf, page 27

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p59-6] File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 59

[:File:GamePro_US_036.pdf_p90-7] File:GamePro US 036.pdf, page 90

[:File:Go_UK_11.pdf_p12-8] 8.0 ^8.1 File:Go UK 11.pdf, page 12

[:File:CVG_UK_131.pdf_p17-9] File:CVG UK 131.pdf, page 17

[Interview:_Jim_Blackler_by_Segacollection.com-10] 10.0 ^10.1 Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com

[:File:CVG_UK_149.pdf_p36-11] File:CVG UK 149.pdf, page 36

[:File:Joypad_FR_029.pdf_p80-12] File:Joypad FR 029.pdf, page 80

[:File:MegaForce_FR_25.pdf_p112-13] File:MegaForce FR 25.pdf, page 112

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-03.pdf_p97-14] File:MegaFun DE 1994-03.pdf, page 97

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p92-15] File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 92

[:File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p74-16] File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 74

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_040.pdf_p88-17] File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf, page 88

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1994-07.pdf_p132-18] File:PlayTime DE 1994-07.pdf, page 132

[:File:SegaForce_UK_07.pdf_p12-19] 19.0 ^19.1 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 12

[:File:SuperGamePower_BR_001.pdf_p72-20] File:SuperGamePower BR 001.pdf, page 72

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1994-04.pdf_p82-21] File:VideoGames DE 1994-04.pdf, page 82

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_012.pdf_p112-22] File:ConsolesPlus FR 012.pdf, page 112

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p150-23] File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf, page 150

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_013.pdf_p102-24] File:HobbyConsolas ES 013.pdf, page 102

[:File:Joypad_FR_012.pdf_p80-25] File:Joypad FR 012.pdf, page 80

[:File:Joystick_FR_030.pdf_p198-26] File:Joystick FR 030.pdf, page 198

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_22.pdf_p88-27] File:MeanMachines UK 22.pdf, page 88

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-28] File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 135

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_025.pdf_p86-29] File:PlayerOne FR 025.pdf, page 86

[:File:SegaPower_UK_46.pdf_p101-30] File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 101

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p58-31] File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 58

[:File:SegaZone_UK_01.pdf_p74-32] File:SegaZone UK 01.pdf, page 74

[:File:SegaForce_SE_1992_02.pdf_p23-33] File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf, page 23

[:File:SegaForce_UK_18.pdf_p74-34] File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf, page 74

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-08.pdf_p91-35] File:VideoGames DE 1992-08.pdf, page 91

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_014.pdf_p148-36] File:ConsolesPlus FR 014.pdf, page 148

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p168-37] File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide Book UK.pdf, page 168

[:File:EGM_US_042.pdf_p38-38] File:EGM US 042.pdf, page 38

[:File:Joypad_FR_016.pdf_p149-39] File:Joypad FR 016.pdf, page 149

[:File:Joystick_FR_035.pdf_p185-40] File:Joystick FR 035.pdf, page 185

[:File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf_p96-41] File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf, page 96

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1993-03.pdf_p107-42] File:PlayTime DE 1993-03.pdf, page 107

[:File:SegaPower_UK_46.pdf_p102-43] File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 102

[:File:SegaPro_UK_10.pdf_p66-44] File:SegaPro UK 10.pdf, page 66

[:File:SegaForce_UK_09.pdf_p56-45] File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf, page 56

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1993-02.pdf_p118-46] File:VideoGames DE 1993-02.pdf, page 118

[:File:Zero_UK_34.pdf_p78-47] File:Zero UK 34.pdf, page 78

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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