Play Prince of Persia (Earlier) Online

I first played Prince of Persia on the Sega Genesis in 1992, a port of the original computer game published by Brøderbund. It was a different kind of action game for its time, focused more on careful timing and precision than on pure speed or power. On a system known for Sonic's blistering pace, this felt deliberate and tense, a stark contrast that really made it stand out.

You control the Prince, navigating a labyrinthine palace screen by screen. The main goal is to rescue the princess within a strict sixty minute time limit. The signature mechanics are the fluid, acrobatic movement, requiring you to judge jumps and drops perfectly, and the simple but deadly sword duels with palace guards. The pacing is slow and methodical; a single misstep often means instant death on a spike pit or by a blade, sending you back to the start of the level. It feels like a constant, high stakes puzzle where every action has weight and consequence.