Prince of Persia is a groundbreaking cinematic platformer developed by Jordan Mechner and released in 1989. Renowned for its fluid, realistic character animations and precise platforming, it set a new standard for storytelling and movement in video games. The game follows an unnamed hero, often referred to as the Prince, as he attempts to rescue the Sultan’s daughter from the clutches of the evil vizier Jaffar.
The story unfolds in the dungeons and corridors of a Persian palace. Jaffar has imprisoned the Princess and given her only one hour to decide whether to marry him or face death. The Prince must navigate deadly traps, fight guards, and ascend through the castle to reach her before time runs out. This real-time countdown adds urgency and tension to the gameplay.
Prince of Persia is famous for its innovative use of rotoscoped animation, which gave the character’s movements a lifelike quality unprecedented at the time. Every jump, climb, and sword swing feels smooth and natural, making the gameplay more immersive. However, this realism also introduces deliberate movement, requiring players to time jumps and avoid traps with precision.
The palace is filled with pitfalls, spikes, collapsing floors, and hidden switches that open secret passages. Combat is straightforward but tense, with sword duels against palace guards. The game also features clever puzzles and environmental hazards that force players to think as well as react quickly. Memorizing level layouts and mastering movement is key to survival.
Its combination of challenging platforming, atmospheric design, and cinematic storytelling made Prince of Persia an instant classic. It inspired countless sequels and remakes, laying the foundation for future cinematic action-adventure games. Even decades later, it remains a milestone in game design and animation history.
Technical Details
- Developer: Brøderbund (originally designed by Jordan Mechner)
- Publisher: Brøderbund
- Release Date: October 3, 1989
- Genre: Cinematic platformer
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: Apple II, later ported to MS-DOS, Amiga, SNES, and others
- Animation Style: Rotoscoping for realistic movement
- Graphics: 2D pixel art with detailed palace environments
- Key Features: Real-time countdown, sword combat, deadly traps, cinematic storytelling