Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

For the Mega-CD version, see Prince of Persia (Mega-CD)

n/a

PoP MD Title.png

Prince of Persia
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Tengen (US), Domark (EU),
Sega Master System
Domark
Developer:
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 		$59.9559.95[2] T-48286
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-88076-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9944.99[5]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		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[10]

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 №bg98, p86
93 [13]
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 [14]
86 №20, p18-19
68 №18, p40
88 [15]
68 №3/94, p105[16]
82 №27, p66-68
72 [17]
83 №18, p74-75[18]
89 [19]
64 №7/94, p138[20]
78 №3, p106-107
63 №53, p60-61
83 №30, p58-59
94 [21]
80 [22]
79 №25, p10
70 №4/94, p86[23]
70 №63, p81
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
24 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[24]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
89
[25]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[26]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[12]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[27]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[28]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[29]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[30]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[2]
Gamers (DE)
40
[31]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
68
[32]
Hyper (AU)
82
[33]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[34]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[35]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[36]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[37]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[38]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[39]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[40]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[41]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[18]
Player One (FR)
89
[42]
Play Time (DE)
64
[43]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[44]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[4]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[45]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[46]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[47]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[48]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[49]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[50]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[51]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[52]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[53]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[54]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[55]
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 Drive, SE (Rental)

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 [56]
90 [7]
92 [57]
80 №19
94 №4, p20-22
80 [58]
91 [59]
91 [60]
91 [61]
91 [62]
73 №55, p50
94 [63]
92 №32, p26-27
100 [64]
96 [65]
93 №15, p73
91 [66]
88 №2/92, p23[67]
94 [21]
96 [68]
91 №4, p24
59 №8/92, p95[69]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
22 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[7]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[57]
FX (UK)
91
[70]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[71]
Game Power (IT)
92
[72]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[73]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[74]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[75]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[76]
Joypad (FR)
91
[77]
Joystick (FR)
91
[60]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[78]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[79]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[62]
Player One (FR)
94
[80]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[81]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[82]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[83]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[84]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[85]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[86]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[67]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[87]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[68]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[88]
Video Games (DE)
59
[89]
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, 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 [90]
93 №130 (Go!), p12-13[10]
91 [91]
70 [92]
92 №12, p58-59
82 [93]
82 [94]
91 [95]
81 №3/93, p107[96]
100 [97]
95 [98]
92 №15, p74-75
95 [99]
39 №2/93, p120[100]
91 [101]
Sega Game Gear
 86
Based on
15 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
90
[90]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[10]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[102]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[92]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[91]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[103]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[104]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[105]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[106]
Joypad (FR)
82
[93]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[94]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[107]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[108]
Play Time (DE)
81
[96]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[109]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[98]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[110]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[111]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[112]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[113]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[114]
Zero (UK)
91
[101]
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:GamePro US 053.pdf, page 189
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 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
  3. ↑ File:CVG UK 148.pdf, page 102
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106
  5. ↑ File:CVG UK 152.pdf, page 81
  6. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 59
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 128.pdf_p27" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ File:GamePro US 036.pdf, page 90
  9. ↑ File:CVG UK 131.pdf, page 17
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 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
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Interview: Jim Blackler by Segacollection.com
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  13. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 30 (32)
  14. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80-81 (80)
  15. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112-113 (112)
  16. ↑ File:MegaFun DE 1994-03.pdf, page 97
  17. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 92-94 (92)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88-89 (88)
  20. ↑ File:PlayTime DE 1994-07.pdf, page 132
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 10-13 (12)
  22. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72-77 (72)
  23. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1994-04.pdf, page 82
  24. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 181
  25. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  26. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 164
  27. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1994" (US; 1994-02-22), page 65
  28. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  29. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 350
  30. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 178
  31. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 48
  32. ↑ GamesMaster, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 70
  33. ↑ Hyper, "March 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 60
  34. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  35. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 45
  36. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 18
  37. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 40
  38. ↑ Mega Action, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 12
  39. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  40. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105
  41. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 66
  42. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88
  43. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138
  44. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 18
  45. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 60
  46. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  47. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 37
  48. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  49. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 116
  50. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  51. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  52. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  53. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  54. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86
  55. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 81
  56. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 112-114 (112)
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  58. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110-111 (102)
  59. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80-81 (80)
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 198
  61. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 88-90 (88)
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  63. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90-91 (86)
  64. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-05), page 101
  65. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58-59 (58)
  66. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74-76 (74)
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 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
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Sega Force, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-06), page 74
  69. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1992-08.pdf, page 91
  70. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  71. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  72. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  73. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:14)
  74. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 20
  75. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110
  76. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  77. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  78. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  79. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 112
  80. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90
  81. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, October 24, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-24), page 1
  82. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 26
  83. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58
  84. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
  85. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  86. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74
  87. ↑ Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 12
  88. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  89. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148
  91. ↑ 91.0 91.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  93. ↑ 93.0 93.1 Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149
  94. ↑ 94.0 94.1 Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
  95. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96-97 (96)
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 File:PlayTime DE 1993-03.pdf, page 107 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayTime DE 1993-03.pdf_p107" defined multiple times with different content
  97. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-05), page 102
  98. ↑ 98.0 98.1 Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  99. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56-57 (56)
  100. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1993-02.pdf, page 118
  101. ↑ 101.0 101.1 Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 78
  102. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1993" (US; 1992-12-10), page 98
  103. ↑ Fistful!, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 7
  104. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  105. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 6
  106. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 58
  107. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  108. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-28), page 96
  109. ↑ Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 32
  110. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  111. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  112. ↑ Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 56
  113. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 87
  114. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120
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