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Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

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

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PoP MD Title.png
Prince of Persia
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Tengen (US)
Sega Mega Drive
Domark (EU)
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Domark
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Tengen (US)
Original system(s): Apple II
Developer(s) of original games: Brøderbund Software
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action































Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US		 $59.95[1] T-48286
Sega Mega Drive
UK		 £44.99[3] T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
FR		 ?F T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE		 DM ? T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
ES		 ?Ptas T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU		 $? FPRI02SMC



Sega Master System
UK		 £29.99[6] MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
FR		 ?F MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
DE		 DM ? MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
ES		 ?Ptas MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
AU		 $? ?
Sega Master System
BR		 R$? 027270



Sega Game Gear
US		 $? T-48098
Sega Game Gear
UK		 £29.99[9] T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
FR		 ?F T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
DE		 DM ? T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
ES		 ?Ptas T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
IT		 ?£ 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[11] 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[11].

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

Source: Opening demo credits


Game Gear version

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
88 №29
84 [12]
80 [13]
93 [14]
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 [15]
86 №20, p18-19
68 №18, p40
88 [16]
68 [17]
82 №27, p66-68
72 [18]
83 [19]
89 [20]
64 [21]
78 [22]
63 №53, p60-61
83 №30, p58-59
94 [23]
80 [24]
79 №25, p10
70 [25]
70 №63, p81
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
24 reviews

Mega Drive, US
PoP MD US Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Prince of Persia MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
PoP MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 [26]
90 [6]
92 [27]
91 [28]
80 №19
94 №4, p20-22
80 [29]
91 [30]
91 [31]
91 [32]
91 [33]
73 №55, p50
94 [34]
92 №32, p26-27
100 [35]
96 [36]
93 №15, p73
91 [37]
88 [38]
94 [23]
96 [39]
91 [40]
59 [41]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
23 reviews

Master System, EU
PoP SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Prince of Persia SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
PoP SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Princeofpersia sms br cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

PoP SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 [42]
93 [43]
91 [44]
70 [45]
91 [46]
92 №12, p58-59
82 [47]
82 [48]
91 [49]
81 [50]
100 [51]
95 [52]
92 №15, p74-75
95 [53]
39 [54]
91 [55]
Sega Game Gear
 86
Based on
16 reviews

Game Gear, US
PoP GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Prince of Persia GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
PoP GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Prince of Persia GG EU Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 7704287D
MD5 70E9B330DD6A91E7310F3C8D9A934ECC
SHA-1 7EF7B4E2FCEC69946844C186C62836C0AE34665F
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 311D2863
MD5 0D636C8D86DAFD4F2C337E34E94B1E41
SHA-1 7820699EE6B214F3F02F724F4D7891184CAF93F8
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 32
  2. ↑ GamePro, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 189
  3. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 81
  4. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 102
  5. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 27
  7. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 59
  8. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  9. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12
  10. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 17
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com
  12. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  13. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide" (US; 1997-11-11), page 86
  14. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 30 (32)
  15. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 80-81 (80)
  16. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 112-113 (112)
  17. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105 (97)
  18. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 92-94 (92)
  19. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 74-75 (74)
  20. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 88-89 (88)
  21. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-xx-xx), page 138 (132)
  22. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106/107 (106)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 10-13 (12)
  24. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-xx-xx), page 72-77 (72)
  25. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86 (82)
  26. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 112-114 (112)
  27. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  28. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  29. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110-111 (102)
  30. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 80-81 (80)
  31. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 198
  32. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 88-90 (88)
  33. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 135
  34. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90-91 (86)
  35. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 101
  36. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58-59 (58)
  37. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 74-76 (74)
  38. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 23
  39. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 74
  40. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  41. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95 (91)
  42. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 148
  43. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12-13 (12)
  44. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  45. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  46. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  47. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149
  48. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 185
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96-97 (96)
  50. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107
  51. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 102
  52. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  53. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56-57 (56)
  54. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120 (118)
  55. ↑ Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
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