Prince of Persia (1989): The Timeless Classic That Started It All
Table of Contents
| Publisher | Brøderbund Software |
|---|---|
| Developer | Jordan Mechner |
| Release Date | 3 October 1989 |
| Genre | Action, Platformer, Adventure |
| Platform | Apple II, MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST, NES, SNES, Sega Master System, Game Boy, Windows, Mac, mobile, and more! |
Prince of Persia (1989) is one of the most iconic games in video game history—a title that changed how players thought about platforming, animation, and storytelling. Created by Jordan Mechner and first published by Brøderbund, it delivered cinematic action and clever puzzles at a time when most games were simple and blocky. With its unique animation style, fluid sword fighting, and heart-pounding countdown, the original Prince of Persia set the stage for a legendary franchise that gamers still love today.
Game Description
Enter the Sands of Time
Set long before the era of flashy graphics and Hollywood-style voice acting, the original Prince of Persia throws you into a mystical Persian palace where the Sultan’s evil vizier, Jaffar, has imprisoned the Sultan’s daughter. You, as the unnamed prince, must escape from the dungeons, dodge lethal traps, defeat enemies, and rescue the princess—all within 60 minutes, or she will be lost forever.
Why Prince of Persia (1989) Stands Out
- Groundbreaking Animation:
At its time, Prince of Persia’s use of rotoscoping (tracing real human movement frame by frame) amazed everyone. The prince’s movements—running, climbing, jumping, and sword fighting—felt uncannily lifelike, adding immense immersion. - Challenging Platforming:
Each level is a deadly set of floors, spikes, pressure plates, collapsing tiles, spiked gates, giant blades, and pits. You’ll need sharp reflexes and perfect timing to survive. - Sword Fights:
Not just about jumping, the game features tense sword battles with palace guards and, eventually, Jaffar himself! Wait for openings, parry blows, and strike decisively. - Clever Puzzle Design:
Switches open doors in distant places, some tiles only activate after collecting health potions, and some walls hide secret routes. Memorize each screen for success. - Race Against the Clock:
Uniquely, the game makes you finish the entire adventure in a single hour. Dying means losing precious time, heightening every moment’s tension. - Cinematic Storytelling:
With atmospheric music, expressive animations, and a simple but effective story, the game pulls you into its world.
Levels, Traps, and Bosses
You start in the prison dungeon and must navigate 12 floors, each more complex than the last. Beware of:
- Spike pits that require pixel-perfect jumps.
- Falling tiles: hesitate and you’ll plummet!
- Slicing blades and pressure-activated doors.
- The haunting “shadow prince”—your doppelganger created by a magic mirror, who becomes your rival later in the game.
Every few levels, you’ll duel with tougher guards. The final confrontation is with Jaffar high in the palace.
Why People Still Love Prince of Persia (1989)
- Nostalgia: The chiptune soundtrack, minimalist story, and pixel graphics still hold up.
- Skill-Based: Success depends on timing, memory, learning patterns, and nerves—not luck.
- Universal Ports: From Apple II to DOS to Android smartphones, you can play Prince of Persia on almost any device, often with fan mods or modern remasters.
- Speedruns: It’s one of the original speedrunning games—mastering every jump, knowing every shortcut, and finishing the game under the clock is an evergreen challenge.
- Legacy: Sparked a massive franchise, inspiring titles like Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and even influencing modern action-adventure games.
What is system requirement for Prince of Persia (1989)?
Even though this classic was made for old-school PCs, here’s a general guide for both original and modern ports/emulated versions on today’s Windows/Mac/Linux systems:
| Requirement | Classic Minimum (1989) | Modern (DOSBox/Ported, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | DOS 3.0+, Apple II | Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, Linux (DOSBox) |
| CPU | 8086/8088 @ 4.77 MHz | Any dual-core (1 GHz+) |
| RAM | 256 KB | 256 MB+ |
| Graphics | CGA/EGA/VGA/SVGA (16 colors) | Integrated graphics (any OpenGL/DirectX) |
| Storage | 1 MB | 10–50 MB free space |
| Sound | PC-speaker, AdLib, or Sound Blaster | Windows-compatible sound card |
| Other | Keyboard, Joystick optional | Keyboard, modern gamepad supported (via ports) |
- For the smoothest play on modern PCs:
Use the GOG.com or Steam “Prince of Persia Classic” version, or run the original via DOSBox emulator. - On mobile and web:
Several browser emulations or fan-made mobile ports exist; requirements are minimal.
Prince of Persia (1989) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is Prince of Persia (1989) still playable on modern systems?
Yes. With tools like DOSBox, and several official ports/remasters (on Steam, GOG, and app stores), you can run it on nearly any PC, Mac, or even web browser.
Q2. How many levels are there in the original game?
There are 12 main levels (plus a hidden 13th for practice in some versions). Each level presents new traps and tougher enemies.
Q3. Can I save my progress?
The original game did not include a save system, but modern ports and emulators often let you create save states or checkpoints.
Q4. What makes Prince of Persia a “cinematic platformer”?
Its fluid animation, story-driven cutscenes, and movie-like pacing were very advanced in 1989, making it feel like “playing a movie.”
Q5. Are there any cheats for the original game?
Yes! Classic cheat codes allow for invincibility, skipping levels, or pausing the timer. On DOS, you could add “prince megahit” as a command-line parameter.
Q6. Has Prince of Persia (1989) been remade?
Yes, several times—most notably in the “Prince of Persia Classic” (2007) remake with better graphics, and in collections for mobile and consoles.
Q7. Does the game have controller support?
Recent ports do; originals were keyboard-based, but emulators and some digital releases allow controller mapping.
Q8. What’s the best way to speedrun PoP?
Learn trap timings, level layouts, and trick jumps (like running-jump-crouch or “edge grabbing”). Watch popular speedruns for advanced techniques.
Q9. Is Prince of Persia good for children?
Absolutely. There’s fantasy swordplay and animated violence but nothing graphic or mature—suitable for all ages.
Q10. Can you play Prince of Persia online?
Some fan-made remakes and web ports have online leaderboards or split-screen races.
Q11. Is there any hidden content or secrets in PoP?
Some versions let you access an alternate training level, or discover shortcuts and health upgrades hidden behind false walls.
Prince of Persia (1989) remains a legend in the gaming world—a perfect blend of challenge, charm, brilliant design, and replayability. Whether you play for nostalgia or seek a timeless platforming gem, PoP promises an adventure worthy of royalty. Adjust your screen, flex your fingers, and get ready to race against time—the princess needs saving, and only you can claim the crown!
How to play on Windows
- Click on the download button. It should redirect you to your download (a .rar file). Make sure you download the file properly and that your internet does not disconnect while downloading.
- Download the software DOSBox and put a shortcut for DOSBox on your desktop.
- Extract the “Prince of Persia” folder to your desktop.
- Find the file called “PRINCE”, and drag it on top of the DOSBox icon which you have on your desktop. The game should now launch in DOSBox.
- Open the “Prince of Persia” folder and then open the “Game Files” folder.
- Enjoy the game!
