Prince of Persia Video Game Series
A series of games combining a platformer and action adventure, inspired by the culture and history of the Middle East. The brand was created by Broderbund Software. However, it currently belongs to Ubisoft. The father of the series is American programmer Jordan Mechner (author of, among others, Karateka).
Brief history of the series
The first game in the series - Prince of Persia - was a classic platformer. It was released in 1984 on Apple II computers and soon after, it was ported to other platforms. The full-fledged sequel - Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame - was released in 1993. After another six years, we got the third game, Prince of Persia 3D (1999). It introduced a major change in the way the gameplay was shown.
The brand then moved to Ubisoft, which opened a new chapter in its history. In 2003, we got Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, in 2004 we had Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, and in 2005 Ubisoft released Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. In 2008, the series got a reboot simply titled Prince of Persia, but already in 2010 Ubisoft decided to return to the universe started by the Sands of Time by releasing Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands.
For the game, fans had to wait until January 2024 for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - going back to the roots and being a side-scrolling platformer. In 2020, Ubisoft announced Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake. However, the game is stuck in production cycle.
The series has received a number of spin-offs. In 2005, we got a tactical game on the Nintendo DS handheld, titled Battles of Prince of Persia. In 2008, we got Prince of Persia: The Fallen King - a platformer available on the same hardware. Over the years the first installments of the series got remasters - Prince of Persia Classic (2007) and Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame (2013).
Characteristics of the series
The games in the Prince of Persia series is set in the fairy-tale realities of the medieval Middle East. The plot often features themes of rescuing the beloved and revenge. Another common element of almost all productions from this series is the main protagonist - the titular Prince, who is excellent with melee weapons and possesses incredible acrobatic skills that allow him to overcome obstacles.
The gameplay, depending on whether the game is 2D or 3D, combines elements of a platformer and an action adventure game.. The player's task is to overcome obstacles, avoid traps and fight enemies. From time to time there are also puzzles, usually requiring finding and acquiring certain items or manipulating elements of the environment.
Many installments of the Prince of Persia series are characterized by high-quality audiovisual design. The Prince's first adventure is to this day sometimes considered a milestone in character motion animation in games (Mechner used filmed scenes of his brother's movement and the rotoscopy technique). Early installments of the series offered two-dimensional graphics, and with the release of Prince of Persia 3D the series switched to 3D.
The success achieved by Prince of Persia did not escape the attention of creators from other spheres of pop culture. The brand got, among other things, a graphic novel by A.B. Sina with illustrations by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland, as well as its own LEGO series. In 2010, we got a live-action adaptation called Prince of Persia: Sands of Time starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular Prince.
Prince of Persia Series Evolution
2026
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
2025
The Rogue Prince of Persia
2024
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
2013
Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame
2010
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
2010
Prince of Persia Trilogy
2008
Prince of Persia: The Fallen King
2008
Prince of Persia
2007
Prince of Persia Classic
2007
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords
2005
Prince of Persia: Revelations
2005
Battles of Prince of Persia
2005
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
2004
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
2003
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
1999
Prince of Persia 3D
1993
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow & The Flame
1989
Prince of Persia (1989)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
March 2026
Action, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, Action Adventure, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer, TPP.
Remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Compared to the original Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake stands out thanks to its prettier graphics, improved controls and better combat system.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
August 20, 2025
Action, 2.5D, Fantasy, Platformers, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Roguelike, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
An action platformer with roguelike elements, developed by Evil Empire studio known for the post-launch support of Dead Cells. The Rogue Prince of Persia offers combat, puzzles and the feature to manipulate time. Levels are procedurally generated and change with each run.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
January 18, 2024
Action, 2.5D, Fantasy, Platformers, Action Adventure, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an action adventure 2.5D platformer. The player must explore different stages, solve puzzles, avoid traps and fight enemies. The time control mechanic is a big part of the game.
Gamepressure
Users
Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame
July 25, 2013
Adventure, Platformers, Action Adventure, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer.
Remake of a 1993's classic platformer and second installment in the cult series from Broderbund Software studio, redesigned for mobile devices. Plot of Prince of Persia: The Shadow and The Flame continues the story of the first part of the franchise. Happiness of the Prince of Persia and the daughter of the Sultan is interrupted by the vengeance of Vizier Jaffar. With the help of magic he sways all guards of the kingdom to capture Prince and steals his position, forcing him to flee through several locations, including not only palace dungeons, but also open spaces. Gameplay itself does not differ significantly from mechanics known from the original, just as in the Prince of Persia Classic. However, the title features modernized, completely redesigned visuals and a whole range of improvements concerning mechanics and level design. Developers deleted several scenes from the base game, introducing brand new ones in their place.
Users
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
May 18, 2010
Adventure, Fantasy, Movies, Time Manipulation, 3D Platformers, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
Another major installment in the famous action adventure game series. In terms of story, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is set between The Sands of Time and Warrior Within, and focuses on the events that caused the drastic, dark change within the Prince. Upon reaching his brother’s realm, the Prince finds the capital city about to fall, besieged by an enemy army. In an attempt to protect the citizens from a massacre, the city’s ruler resorts to using a powerful, yet dangerous magic that eventually turns against him. The game itself is based on the core mechanics of the series. Therefore, we can expect multiple platforming sequences, environmental puzzles, and battles against powerful enemies. An interesting addition is the ability to control the forces of natures, which comes in handy both in combat and when traversing subsequent locations. Of course the series’ landmark feature — the ability to reverse and slow down time — is back. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is powered by the Anvil engine, the technology previously used in the two first Assassin’s Creed games.
Steam
Users
Prince of Persia Trilogy
March 22, 2010
Action, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, 3D Image, Package, 3D Platformers, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer, TPP, PlayStation Exclusive.
Compilation of three parts of Ubisoft's bestselling Prince of Persia series, refreshed for the PlayStation 3 users. The package includes games released originally in 2003-2005: The Sands of Time, Warrior Within and The Two Thrones. The story of these productions, referred to as the new Prince of Persia trilogy, revolves around the mythical Sands of Time and the consequences that, as a result of their release, the main protagonist of the series is forced to face.
Prince of Persia: The Fallen King
December 2, 2008
Action, Fantasy, Platformers, Singleplayer, Nintendo Exclusive.
Prince of Persia: The Fallen King is another game that is aimed at adventurers of the Persian Prince. As usual he has to overcome a lot of obstacles and enemies.
Users
Prince of Persia
December 2, 2008
Adventure, Fantasy, 3D Platformers, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
Another installment in the bestselling Prince of Persia series, developed by Ubisoft since 2003. In terms of plot, the game is independent of the previous installments - it tells a completely new story. The protagonist has to face Ahriman - a Persian god of evil and darkness. The prince has to save the mythical Tree of Life by healing subsequent parts of the land poisoned by Ahriman and his allies. The protagonist is accompanied by Elika - daughter of the antagonist. She is a skilled magician and offers help during exploration, puzzle solving and combat. The gameplay emphasizes platformer elements - a typical aspect of the franchise. The protagonist can jump and climb almost anywhere, and he is capable of performing spectacular combos thanks to the improved combat system, useful especially when fighting more powerful enemies. The game offers an unusual art style, distinguishing it from its predecessors. This was achieved using the cel shading technique.
Steam
Users
Expansion Packs:
- Prince of Persia: Epilogue March 5, 2009
Prince of Persia Classic
June 13, 2007
Adventure, Fantasy, Platformers, Action Adventure, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer.
A refreshed version of the classic platform game developed by Broderbund Software in 1989. The player assumes the role of a prince who must stop the evil vizier Jaffar who intends to take over control of Persia by marrying a kidnapped princess. The protagonist must escape from a prison, save his beloved and defeat the usurper. The problem is, all these actions must be completed in less than an hour – otherwise the game ends in failure. The gameplay mechanics in Prince of Persia Classic are similar as in the cult original. During the game player jumps from platform to platform, avoids various obstacles and traps, and fights against the vizier’s guards. Sometimes the prince will also have to solve a simple puzzle. This version of the game has completely new, more colorful visuals and brand new audio tracks.
Users
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords
April 3, 2007
Action, Fantasy, LAN, Multiplayer, 3D Platformers, Singleplayer, TPP.
Extended port of the 2005 release of Prince of Persia: Two Trones. The action of the game takes place in the area of Babylon, where after returning from the Time Island, the title prince faces his dark counterpart, created by the action of the mythical Sands of Time. During the game we have an opportunity to direct the actions of two heroes with different characters, fighting styles and special abilities.
Users
Prince of Persia: Trilogy
October 27, 2006
Action, Fantasy, 3D Platformers, Singleplayer, TPP, PlayStation Exclusive.
Prince of Persia: Trilogy is a special compilation, released on the occasion of the third anniversary of the triumphal return to the world of electronic entertainment of the Prince of Persia series, whose roots date back to the late 1980s. This kit is available only to PlayStation 2 landlords and contains games released between 2003 and 2005.
Users
Prince of Persia: Revelations
December 6, 2005
Action, Fantasy, 3D Platformers, Singleplayer, TPP, PlayStation Exclusive.
A third-person perspective action-adventure platform game developed for PSP. The game is an expanded port of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. In the game the player assumes the role of the titular prince who learns that he is meant to die because he released the mythical Sands of Time. The only way to avoid fate is to travel to a mysterious island where the powerful artifact that caused all the trouble was originally created. As one can assume, the road will be filled with traps and enemies. The latter, prince will defeat with his weapons and unique ability to manipulate time. In comparison to the original version of the game released in 2004, the gameplay mechanics haven’t changed. However, Prince of Persia: Revelations offers exclusive additional content – four new locations that weren’t available in the basic game.
Users
Battles of Prince of Persia
December 6, 2005
Strategy, Fantasy, LAN, Multiplayer, Splitscreen, Singleplayer, Turn-based, Nintendo Exclusive.
Battles of Prince of Persia is a tactical game reminiscent of Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. This product is combat-oriented, showing the events taking place between Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.
Users
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
December 1, 2005
Adventure, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, 3D Platformers, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
Another installment in the highly-rated action adventure game franchise following on the eponymous Prince, who in the past carelessly unsealed the mythical sands of time. After events of the previous part of the game, the protagonist return to his home – Babylon – plunged in the chaos of war. Soon it turns out that the previous actions of the hero led to the birth of his dark alter ego, whose spirit gradually takes over control over the protagonist's will. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones expands the mechanics implemented in the two previous installments and introduces new improvements to the combat system, as well as some innovative uses for the dagger of time and skills unavailable before, like sneaking. The biggest novelty offered by the game is the possibility of controlling two characters different with personalities, fighting styles, and abilities.
Steam
Users
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
November 30, 2004
Adventure, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, 3D Platformers, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
Sequel to the 2003’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, rebooting the story of the hero from the classic 2D platformer from Broderbund Software studio. This time the prince has to deal with consequences of his reckless actions. He managed to turn back time and prevent releasing The Sands of Time, but he did not change his destiny, resulting in Guardian of Time chasing him to seal his fate. He travels to the mysterious island where, according to the legends, the Sands were made; the prince attempts to change the past and prevent their creation, thus saving himself from the fate. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within has a much darker atmosphere, but the gameplay is similar to its predecessor. Our hero must overcome many obstacles and traps, not to mention enemies. Game introduces a new, expanded fighting system, with prince himself becoming stronger and gaining new abilities.
Steam
Users
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
October 30, 2003
Adventure, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, 3D Platformers, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
An action adventure game which is a remake of the 1989's Prince of Persia, one of the most popular platformers of all time, originally developed Broberbund Software. The game was created by Ubisoft Motreal and Jordan Mechner – the father of the original game, who worked on The Sands of Time as consultant and lead designer. The game tells a story of the eponymous Prince who accidentally releases the legendary Sands of Time, a mystical artifact that poses a terrible threat to the world. With the help of the beautiful princess Farah, the protagonist has to make up for his mistake and bring back order to his land by facing various creatures and dangers. Gameplay of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is seen from the third-person perspective and features fully 3D graphics. During the course of the game, the hero makes use of the supernatural power to control the time. The creators emphasize their effort to recreate the characteristic elements of the original title, like realistic animations and combat system.
Steam
Users
Prince of Persia 3D
September 16, 1999
Action, 3D Platformers, Singleplayer, TPP.
The first attempt to transfer the mechanics of the cult Prince of Persia series into a 3D environment, made by Red Orb Enertainment studio working within the structures of Broderbund Software. The action of Prince of Persia 3D (also known as Arabian Nights) takes us back to the 12th century Persia known to fans of the series, where the prince becomes entangled in a convoluted plot involving the Sultan and his brother Assan.
Users
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow & The Flame
August 6, 1993
Arcade, Platformers, Singleplayer.
A continuation of the bestselling platformer from 1989, which tells a story of the eponymous Prince of Persia, who is trying to save the beautiful Princess from the evil vizier. The action of Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow & The Flame takes place several days after the events of the original game. Seeking revenge on the hero, Jaffar – the vizier – steals his identity and takes his legitimate position, while the lives of Prince and his beloved are once again hanging by a thread. In order to regain peace and good reputation, the Prince has to conquer 15 long levels, deal with a number of traps, and face enemies sent by the vizier. Mechanically, the game largely follows its predecessor, but this time more emphasis is put on the plot and combat. The controls have been modified and the visuals have been considerably improved, making the game’s world interesting and diversified.
Prince of Persia (1989)
October 3, 1989
Adventure, Multiplayer, Platformers, Action Adventure.
A classic two-dimensional platformer game developed by Broderbund Software. The game set the direction for the genre, and many later platformers were trying to follow it. The player assumes the role of the eponymous Prince of Persia, whose task is to rescue a beautiful princess held by the evil vizier Jaffar who has kidnapped her in order to take over the kingdom ruled by her father. Unless the princess decides to marry Jaffar, she will die. The protagonist has only an hour to free the princess who is being held in the dungeons under the palace. In the game, the protagonist traverses nearly three hundred chambers filled with different traps and armed guards. The gameplay is diversified with puzzle solving and the already mentioned time limit, requiring the player to develop their skills in order to make a progress. The game offers relatively simple visuals, but it stands out with exceptionally realistic character animations. The action is displayed in the classic side-view camera angle, and the game features Middle East-inspired music.
Users
Prince of Persia: Redemption
cancelled
Action, Fantasy, Time Manipulation, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, TPP.
A cancelled third-person action adventure game. Prince of Persia: Redemption was planned to be developed by Ubisoft Montreal, but the publisher never gave a green light to this project. The game was supposed to rely on inspirations from earlier PoP games, as well as from Assassin's Creed and God of War series.
Prince of Persia Series News
She annoyed players for 22 years, but that's finally going to be a thing of the past. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time fans can breathe a sigh of relief
Footage from the internal presentation of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake has leaked. The recording from 2024 shows that Farah will be a much stronger character than in the original.
video games
November 26, 2025
Ubisoft finally admitted that Star Wars Outlaws has failed, but they don't blame the game. Splinter Cell Remake to launch after The Sands of Time, which is „very close”
Ubisoft's CEO mentioned the poor condition of the entire franchise as a reason for the Star Wars: Outlaws failure. He also pointed to a significant increase in online criticism.
video games
July 22, 2025
Mix of Assassin's Creed, God of War and Uncharted. This is what the „Redemption” of Prince of Persia might have looked like
After The Forgotten Sands, the Prince of Persia series didn't have to fall into oblivion. Ubisoft Montreal studio tried to bring to life another high-budget project set in this universe - PoP: Redemption.
video games
June 29, 2025
Ubisoft Disbands Team Behind PoP: The Lost Crown and Reassigns Devs to Other Projects, Including Rumored BG&E2 and Rayman Remake
The team responsible for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has reportedly been disbanded. Ubisoft was also said to have stopped work on the game's sequel.
video games
October 23, 2024
Sands of Time Remake in 2026. Ubisoft Celebrated 35th Anniversary of Prince of Persia With Three Announcements
The Prince of Persia brand made three announcements at this year's Ubisoft Forward. Among them was a new release date for the remake of The Sands of Time, which is unlikely to please fans.
video games
June 10, 2024
Sands of Time Remake in 2026. Ubisoft Celebrated 35th Anniversary of Prince of Persia With Three Announcements
The Prince of Persia brand made three announcements at this year's Ubisoft Forward. Among them was a new release date for the remake of The Sands of Time, which is unlikely to please fans.
video games
June 10, 2024
Sands of Time Remake in 2026. Ubisoft Celebrated 35th Anniversary of Prince of Persia With Three Announcements
The Prince of Persia brand made three announcements at this year's Ubisoft Forward. Among them was a new release date for the remake of The Sands of Time, which is unlikely to please fans.
video games
June 10, 2024
Ubisoft Delights Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Players. Two of Three Promised Portions of New Free Content Now Available
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown received an update that introduces modes focusing on bosses. You'll receive 2 new costumes for finishing them.
video games
May 21, 2024
Forget About Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake. According to Tom Henderson, Game Was Completely Reworked
According to believable rumors, Ubisoft Montreal studio is developing its own version of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake from scratch. We can expect heavily revised graphics, gameplay, and even a script.
video games
April 10, 2024
The Rogue Prince of Persia Is New Game From Co-creators of Dead Cells (Rumor)
If rumors are true, Ubisoft is preparing something special for Prince of Persia fans. The co-creators of the cult Dead Cells are to work on The Rogue Prince of Persia game.
video games
April 3, 2024