Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

  • Master System
  • Game Gear
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U
  • Sega Mega Drive
    PAL

PrinceofPersia SMS Title.png

PrinceofPersia SMS Title.png

PoP MD Title.png

PrinceofPersia MD EU TitleScreen.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)
Licensor: Brøderbund Software
Original system(s): Apple II
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[3] T-48286
301053-0150
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9944.99[6] T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU 		FPRI02SMC
Sega Master System
EU 		MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£29.9929.99[8][9] MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		027270
Sega Game Gear
US 		T-48098
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£29.9929.99[12] T-88018-50
Non-Sega versions

Prince of Persia is a Sega Master System cinematic platform game developed and published by Domark. Released in Europe in August 1992, it would later be ported to the Sega Game Gear the following month, and to the Sega Mega Drive in January 1994, with both ports being handled by original developer Domark. The game is a port of the titular 1989 Brøderbund Software game Prince of Persia.

Story

The game is set in medieval Persia. While the good sultan is fighting a war in a foreign land, his vizier Jaffar, a wizard, seizes power. His only obstacle to the throne is the Sultan's daughter. Jaffar locks her in a tower and orders her to become his wife, or she would die within 60 minutes. The game's unnamed protagonist, whom the Princess loves, is taken prisoner and thrown into the palace dungeons. In order to free her, he must escape the dungeons, get to the palace tower and defeat Jaffar before time runs out. In addition to guards, various traps and dungeons, the protagonist is further hindered by his own doppelgänger, conjured out of a magic mirror.

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.

The Game Gear version of the game runs in the system's Master System compatibility mode.[14]

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
Sega Mega Drive
 88
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[15]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[16]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[17]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[18]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[19]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[20]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[21]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[3]
Gamers (DE)
40
[22]
GamesMaster (UK)
68
[23]
Hyper (AU)
82
[24]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[25]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[26]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[27]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[28]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[29]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[30]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[31]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[32]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[33]
Player One (FR)
89
[34]
Play Time (DE)
64
[35]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[36]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[5]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[37]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[38]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[39]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[40]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[41]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[42]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[43]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[44]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[45]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[46]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[47]
Sega Mega Drive
 77
Based on
35 reviews

Prince of Persia

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
Prince of Persia MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR (Blister pack)
PoP MD FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU
PoP MD AU cover.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[8]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[48]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[49]
Game Power (IT)
92
[50]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[51]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[52]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[53]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[54]
Joypad (FR)
91
[55]
Joystick (FR)
91
[56]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[57]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[58]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[59]
Player One (FR)
94
[60]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[62]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[63]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[64]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[65]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[66]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[67]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[68]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[69]
Video Games (DE)
59
[70]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
24 reviews

Prince of Persia

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, AU

PoP SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
PoP SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
PoP SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Princeofpersia sms br cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
90
[71]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[12]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[72]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[73]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[74]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[75]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[76]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[77]
Joypad (FR)
82
[78]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[79]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[80]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[81]
Play Time (DE)
81
[82]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[83]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[84]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[85]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[86]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[87]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[88]
Zero (UK)
91
[89]
Sega Game Gear
 86
Based on
20 reviews

Prince of Persia

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.jpgPrince of Persia (EURO) Side.jpgPoP GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Prince of Persia GG EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, PT

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

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NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia
  1. ↑ File:PoP GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ GamePro, "December 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 189
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 32
  4. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 102
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106
  6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-15), page 81
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 59
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 27
  9. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 27
  10. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 90
  11. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 17
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com
  14. ↑ https://www.smspower.org/Tags/SMS-GG
  15. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2003-03-10), page 181
  16. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 164
  17. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  18. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1994" (US; 1994-02-22), page 65
  19. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  20. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 350
  21. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 178
  22. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 48
  23. ↑ GamesMaster, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 70
  24. ↑ Hyper, "March 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 60
  25. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  26. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 45
  27. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 18
  28. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 40
  29. ↑ Mega Action, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 12
  30. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  31. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105
  32. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 66
  33. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 74
  34. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88
  35. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138
  36. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 18
  37. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 60
  38. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  39. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 37
  40. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  41. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 116
  42. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  43. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  44. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  45. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  46. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86
  47. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 81
  48. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  49. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  50. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  51. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:14)
  52. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 20
  53. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110
  54. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  55. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  56. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 198
  57. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  58. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 112
  59. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  60. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90
  61. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 26
  62. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58
  63. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
  64. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  65. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74
  66. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 23
  67. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 12
  68. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 74
  69. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  70. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95
  71. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148
  72. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  73. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  74. ↑ Fistful!, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 7
  75. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  76. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 6
  77. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 58
  78. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149
  79. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
  80. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  81. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96
  82. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107
  83. ↑ Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 32
  84. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  85. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  86. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  87. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  88. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120
  89. ↑ Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 78


Prince of Persia

PrinceofPersia SMS Title.png

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Prince of Persia games for Sega systems
Sega Master System
 Prince of Persia (1992)
Sega Game Gear
 Prince of Persia (1992)
Sega Mega-CD
 Prince of Persia (1992)
Sega Mega Drive
 Prince of Persia (1993) | Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (Cancelled)
Sega Dreamcast
 Prince of Persia: Arabian Nights (2000)
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