Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

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

n/a

  • Master System
  • Game Gear
  • Mega Drive

PrinceofPersia SMS Title.png

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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
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.

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 [14]
93 [15]
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 [16]
86 №20, p18-19
68 №18, p40
88 [17]
68 [18]
82 №27, p66-68
72 [19]
83 [20]
89 [21]
64 [22]
78 [23]
63 №53, p60-61
83 №30, p58-59
94 [24]
80 [25]
79 №25, p10
70 [26]
70 №63, p81
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
23 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[27]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
89
[28]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[29]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[14]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[30]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[31]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[32]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[33]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[3]
Gamers (DE)
40
[34]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
68
[35]
Hyper (AU)
82
[36]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[37]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[38]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[39]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[40]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[41]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[42]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[43]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[44]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[45]
Player One (FR)
89
[46]
Play Time (DE)
64
[47]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[48]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[5]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[50]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[51]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[52]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[53]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[54]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[55]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[56]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[57]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[58]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[59]
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
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, 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
[60]
FX (UK)
91
[61]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[62]
Game Power (IT)
92
[63]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[64]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[65]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[66]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[67]
Joypad (FR)
91
[68]
Joystick (FR)
91
[69]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[70]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[71]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[72]
Player One (FR)
94
[73]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[74]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[75]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[76]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[77]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[78]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[79]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[80]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[81]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[82]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[83]
Video Games (DE)
59
[84]
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
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
[85]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[12]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[86]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[87]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[88]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[89]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[90]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[91]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[92]
Joypad (FR)
82
[93]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[94]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[95]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[96]
Play Time (DE)
81
[97]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[98]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[99]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[100]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[101]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[102]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[103]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[104]
Zero (UK)
91
[105]
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
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. ↑ 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. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  15. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 30 (32)
  16. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80-81 (80)
  17. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112-113 (112)
  18. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105 (97)
  19. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 92-94 (92)
  20. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 74-75 (74)
  21. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88-89 (88)
  22. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138 (132)
  23. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106/107 (106)
  24. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 10-13 (12)
  25. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72-77 (72)
  26. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86 (82)
  27. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 181
  28. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  29. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 164
  30. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1994" (US; 1994-02-22), page 65
  31. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  32. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 350
  33. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 178
  34. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 48
  35. ↑ GamesMaster, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 70
  36. ↑ Hyper, "March 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 60
  37. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  38. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 45
  39. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 18
  40. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 40
  41. ↑ Mega Action, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 12
  42. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  43. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105
  44. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 66
  45. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 74
  46. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88
  47. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138
  48. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 18
  49. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 60
  50. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  51. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 37
  52. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  53. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 116
  54. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  55. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  56. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  57. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  58. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86
  59. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 81
  60. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  61. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  62. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  63. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  64. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:14)
  65. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 20
  66. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110
  67. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  68. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  69. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 198
  70. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  71. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 112
  72. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  73. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90
  74. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, October 24, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-24), page 1
  75. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 26
  76. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58
  77. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
  78. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  79. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74
  80. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 23
  81. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 12
  82. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 74
  83. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  84. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95
  85. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148
  86. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1993" (US; 1992-12-10), page 98
  87. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  88. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  89. ↑ Fistful!, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 7
  90. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  91. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 6
  92. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 58
  93. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149
  94. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
  95. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  96. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96
  97. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107
  98. ↑ Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 32
  99. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  100. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  101. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  102. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  103. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 87
  104. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120
  105. ↑ Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 78
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NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia

PrinceofPersia SMS Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Game Gear
Prototypes: Prototype

Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: Prototype A | Prototype B



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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