Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

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PoP MD Title.png

Prince of Persia
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Tengen (US), Domark (EU),
Sega Master System
Domark,
Sega Mega-CD
Sega, Victor Musical Industries (JP)
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU 		MK 27022-50
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR 		027270
Sega Mega-CD
JP 		¥7,8007,800 T-60014
Sega Mega-CD
US 		4652
Sega Mega-CD
EU 		4652
Sega Mega-CD
BR 		061000
Sega Game Gear
US 		T-48098
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-88018-50

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Prince of Persia (プリンス・オブ・ペルシャ) 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.

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 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. Both of these ports use graphics unique to these systems - the Mega Drive version being notable for having more detailed graphics than its Mega-CD counterpart and features an extra four levels not seen in any other ports of the game.

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.

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

Master System version

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

Magazine articles

Main article: Prince of Persia/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • Mega Drive US print advert

  • SegaTengenDomark MD SMS UK PrintAd.jpg

    Master System UK print advert

  • SegaTengenDomark MD SMS UK PrintAd 2.jpg

    Master System UK print advert 2

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-10.jpg

    Master System ES print advert

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-11.jpg

    Master System ES print advert 2

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-12.jpg

    Master System ES print advert 3

  • Tengen GG US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Game Gear US print advert

  • PoP GG FR PrintAdvert.jpg

    Game Gear FR print advert

  • GameGear Coleccion ES PrintAd 1993-03.jpg

    Game Gear ES print advert

  • MCDReleases BR PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega-CD BR print advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Master System/Game Gear print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #131: "October 1992" (1992-09-15)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88 №29
84 №149, p36
80 №1998, p86
79 №17
93 №57, p30[7]
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 №29, p80/81[8]
87
86 №20, p18/19
68 №18, p40
88 №25, p112/113
82 №27, p66-68
72 №1, p92-94[9]
83 №18, p74/75[10]
89 №40, p88/89[11]
78 №3, p106/107
63 №53, p60/61
83 №30, p58/59
94 №7, p10-13[12]
79 №25, p10
Sega Mega Drive
 81
Based on
21 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[13]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
89
[14]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[16]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[17]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[18]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[19]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[20]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[7]
Gamers (DE)
40
[21]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
68
[22]
Hyper (AU)
82
[23]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[8]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[24]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[25]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[26]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[27]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[28]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[29]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[30]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[10]
Player One (FR)
89
[11]
Play Time (DE)
64
[31]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[32]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[33]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[34]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[35]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[36]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[37]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[38]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[39]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[40]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[41]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[42]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[43]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[44]
Sega Mega Drive
 77
Based on
36 reviews

Prince of Persia

Mega Drive, US
PoP MD US Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
PoP MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU


Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
94 №13, p64/65
78 №23, p78[45]
79 №4, p38/39
41 №1, p42/43[46]
87 №4, p22/23
86 №20 (Supp.), p26/27
90 №10, p30-33
72 №1, p92-94[9]
80 №35, p150[47]
68 №44, p36/37
82 №13, p60/61
65 №18, p74
69 №12, p90/91[48]
Sega Mega-CD
 76
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Mega-CD
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Prince of Persia

Mega-CD, US
PoP MCD US Box Back.jpgPoP MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Princeofpersia mcd us disc.jpg
Disc
Princeofpersia mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
PoP MCD EU Box Back.jpgPoP MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, JP
PoP MCD JP Box Back.jpgPoP MCD JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PrinceofPersia MCD JP Spinecard.JPG
Spinecard
PoP MCD JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, BR
PoP MCD BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP MCD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №12, p112-114[49]
90 №128, p27[1]
80 №19
94 №4, p20-22
80
91 №12, p80/81[50]
91 №30, p198[51]
91 №22, p88-90[52]
91 №1, p135[53]
73 №2/55
94 №25, p90/91[54]
88 №2/92, p23[55]
94 №7, p10-13[12]
96 №18, p74[56]
92 №32, p26/27
100 №46, p101[57]
96 №9, p58/59[58]
93 №15, p73
91 №1, p74-76
Sega Master System
 90
Based on
19 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[1]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[59]
FX (UK)
91
[60]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[61]
Game Power (IT)
92
[62]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[63]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[64]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[65]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[66]
Joypad (FR)
91
[50]
Joystick (FR)
91
[51]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[67]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[68]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[53]
Player One (FR)
94
[69]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[70]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[71]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[58]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[72]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[73]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[74]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[55]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[12]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[56]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[75]
Video Games (DE)
59
[76]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
26 reviews

Prince of Persia

Master System, EU
PoP SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
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 №14, p148[77]
93 №130 (Go!), p12/13[6]
70
92 №12, p58/59
82 №16, p149[78]
82 №35, p185[79]
91 №4, p96/97[80]
100 №46, p102[81]
95 №10, p66
92 №15, p74/75
95 №9, p56/57[82]
91 №34, p78[83]
Sega Game Gear
 89
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
90
[77]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[6]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[84]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[85]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[86]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[87]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[88]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[89]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[90]
Joypad (FR)
82
[78]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[79]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[91]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[80]
Play Time (DE)
81
[92]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[93]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[94]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[95]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[96]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[82]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[97]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[98]
Zero (UK)
91
[83]
Sega Game Gear
 85
Based on
22 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
Game Gear, EU
PoP GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 128.pdf, page 27 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 128.pdf_p27" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ File:SegaVisions US 10.pdf, page 93
  3. ↑ File:GamePro US 042.pdf, page 82
  4. ↑ File:GamePro US 036.pdf, page 90
  5. ↑ File:CVG UK 131.pdf, page 17
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 File:Go UK 11.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Go UK 11.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:GamePro US 057.pdf, page 32 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 057.pdf_p32" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:Joypad FR 029.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 029.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 92
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 181
  14. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  15. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 164
  16. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  17. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1994" (US; 1994-02-22), page 65
  18. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  19. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 350
  20. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 178
  21. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 48
  22. ↑ GamesMaster, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 70
  23. ↑ Hyper, "March 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 60
  24. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 45
  25. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 18
  26. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 40
  27. ↑ Mega Action, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 12
  28. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  29. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105
  30. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 66
  31. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138
  32. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 18
  33. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 60
  35. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  36. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 37
  37. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  38. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 116
  39. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  40. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  41. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  42. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  43. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86
  44. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 81
  45. ↑ File:Joypad FR 023.pdf, page 78
  46. ↑ File:Mega UK 01.pdf, page 42
  47. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 035.pdf, page 134
  48. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 12.pdf, page 90
  49. ↑ File:ConsolesPlus FR 012.pdf, page 112
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 File:Joypad FR 012.pdf, page 80 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 012.pdf_p80" defined multiple times with different content
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 File:Joystick FR 030.pdf, page 198 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 030.pdf_p198" defined multiple times with different content
  52. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 22.pdf, page 88
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 135 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135" defined multiple times with different content
  54. ↑ File:PlayerOne FR 025.pdf, page 86
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf, page 23 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 02.pdf_p23" defined multiple times with different content
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  57. ↑ File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 101
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 58 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf_p58" defined multiple times with different content
  59. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  60. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  61. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  62. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  63. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:14)
  64. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 20
  65. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110
  66. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  67. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  68. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 112
  69. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90
  70. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, October 24, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-24), page 1
  71. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 26
  72. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
  73. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  74. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74
  75. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  76. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95
  77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 014.pdf, page 148 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 014.pdf_p148" defined multiple times with different content
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 File:Joypad FR 016.pdf, page 149 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 016.pdf_p149" defined multiple times with different content
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 File:Joystick FR 035.pdf, page 185 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 035.pdf_p185" defined multiple times with different content
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf, page 96 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf_p96" defined multiple times with different content
  81. ↑ File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 102
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 File:Zero UK 34.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zero UK 34.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  84. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1993" (US; 1992-12-10), page 98
  85. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  86. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  87. ↑ Fistful!, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 7
  88. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  89. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 6
  90. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 58
  91. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  92. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107
  93. ↑ Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 32
  94. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  95. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  96. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  97. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 87
  98. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120
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