Prince of Persia

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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:
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
$59.9559.95[2] T-48286
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£44.9944.99[4]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
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
FR
Sega Mega-CD
BR
061000
Sega Game Gear
US
T-48098
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-88018-50
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[12]

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.

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 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.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

US 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

Europe 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

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

Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #125: "April 1992" (1992-03-15)
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Master System print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #130: "September 1992" (1992-08-15)
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Master System/Game Gear print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #131: "October 1992" (1992-09-15)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #13: "Octubre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Master System print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #14: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Mega Force (FR) #12: "Décembre 1992" (1992-1x-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Game Gear print advert in Hobby Consolas (ES) #18: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
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Mega-CD print advert in Supergame (BR) #28: "Novembro 1993" (1993-11-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88 №29
84 №149, p36[13]
80 №bg98, p86
79 №17
93 №57, p30[2]
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 №29, p80-81[14]
86 №20, p18-19
68 №18, p40
88 №25, p112-113
82 №27, p66-68
72 №1, p92-94[15]
83 №18, p74-75[16]
89 №40, p88-89[17]
78 №3, p106-107
63 №53, p60-61
83 №30, p58-59
94 №7, p10-13[18]
80 №1, p72-77[19]
79 №25, p10
Sega Mega Drive
81
Based on
21 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[20]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
89
[21]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[22]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[13]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[23]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[24]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[25]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[26]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[2]
Gamers (DE)
40
[27]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
68
[28]
Hyper (AU)
82
[29]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[14]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[30]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[31]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[32]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[33]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[34]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[35]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[16]
Player One (FR)
89
[17]
Play Time (DE)
64
[37]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[38]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[39]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[40]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[41]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[42]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[19]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[43]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[44]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[45]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[46]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[47]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[48]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[49]
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
72 №1, p123[50]
78 №23, p78[51]
79 №4, p38-39
41 №1, p42-43[52]
87 №4, p22-23
86 №20 (supp.), p26-27[53]
90 №10, p30-33
72 №1, p92-94[15]
80 №35, p150[54]
68 №44, p36-37
82 №13, p60-61
65 №18, p74
69 №12, p90-91[55]
69 №1, p89[56]
Sega Mega-CD
75
Based on
15 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[57]
90 №128, p27[5]
92 №1, p150[58]
80 №19
94 №4, p20-22
80 №13, p110-111[59]
91 №12, p80-81[60]
91 №30, p198[61]
91 №22, p88-90[62]
91 №1, p135[63]
73 №55, p50
94 №25, p90-91[64]
88 №2/92, p23[65]
94 №7, p10-13[18]
96 №18, p74[66]
92 №32, p26-27
100 №46, p101[67]
96 №9, p58-59[68]
93 №15, p73
91 №1, p74-76
Sega Master System
90
Based on
20 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[5]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[58]
FX (UK)
91
[69]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[70]
Game Power (IT)
92
[71]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[72]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[73]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[74]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[75]
Joypad (FR)
91
[60]
Joystick (FR)
91
[61]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[76]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[77]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[63]
Player One (FR)
94
[78]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[79]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[80]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[68]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[81]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[82]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[83]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[65]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[18]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[66]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[84]
Video Games (DE)
59
[85]
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[86]
93 №130 (Go!), p12-13[12]
91 №1, p168[87]
70 №42, p38[88]
92 №12, p58-59
82 №16, p149[89]
82 №35, p185[90]
91 №4, p96-97[91]
100 №46, p102[92]
95 №10, p66[93]
92 №15, p74-75
95 №9, p56-57[94]
91 №34, p78[95]
Sega Game Gear
90
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
90
[86]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[12]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[96]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[88]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[87]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[97]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[98]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[99]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[100]
Joypad (FR)
82
[89]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[90]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[101]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[91]
Play Time (DE)
81
[102]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[103]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[93]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[104]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[105]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[94]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[106]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[107]
Zero (UK)
91
[95]
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

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia
  1. File:GamePro US 053.pdf, page 189
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 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
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