Here's how to play the original Prince of Persia games in 2024
Jan. 17, 2024Revisit familiar sands on Steam Deck and PC
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First released in 1989 for the Apple II, the first Prince of Persia game kickstarted what would become one of gaming’s oldest running series today. Since then, it has undergone multiple style and genre makeovers, with the latest outing,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, offering up familiar 2D gameplay with a Metroidvania twist. If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance even a mere mention of the newest game has you itching to try out the originals, and I’m here to tell you that you can do both using your PC,Steam Deck, or even one of the otherbest gaming handheldcontenders out there.
Admittedly, the nerd in me really wants to encourage everyone to acquire an oldSegaMega CD and play using a CRT TV. However, that approach is both impractical and expensive, so I’m going to instead touch on more contemporary methods that won’t upset the lucky people who get to share a house with you. I reserve the right to touch on some ways to play old Prince of Persia games using retro consoles since modern tech can help simplify the process, but I’ll be chatting about shiny new gadgets for the most part.
Original Prince of Persia
Spoilers, but emulation is key when it comes to replaying the very first Prince of Persia game. Don’t get me wrong, if you have any console lying around up to the Game Boy Color, you’ll be able to pick up a port and play authentically. By my count, 27 versions of the original platformer were released across multiple generations, so a trip to eBay or your attic could see you right. There’s even afree browser versionof the debut outing, which makes for a quick and easy way to try out the classic.
If you are hellbent on using old hardware, you’ll want to start by thinking about how you’ll hook your console of choice up to yourgaming TV. Personally, I like to use an OSSC to upscale an RGB scart signal and output via HDMI. That way, I’m able to enjoy a super sharp image that won’t introduce lag or any weird visual shenanigans, all while still using my original consoles.
Mcbazel OSSC retro gaming upscaler |$139.90 at AmazonThis model of the OSSC by Mcbazel is one of the more affordable options out there, and it even comes with a remote. You’ll need to supply your own RGB scart cables for each retro console you own, but you’ll be able to plug virtually anything that supports the standard and play using HDMI.
Buy it if:
✅ You have lots of old consoles✅ You need a way to hook up to new TVs✅ You’re looking for better image quality
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t are about image quality❌ You’d rather use an emulation device
Price Check:Newegg $169.99|Walmart $167.29
The device is pretty expensive, but it’s well worth the investment if you’re looking to play Prince of Persia and other oldies on the likes of the Master System, SNES, Genesis, or even old microcomputers like the Amiga without modern screen compatibility woes. Just keep in mind that each platform’s take on the platformer looks and sounds slightly different, so it’s worth looking into each before investing.
Speaking of the Amiga, theA500 Miniis a plug-and-play that could still facilitate an element of authenticity. It relies on emulation rather than native hardware, but the tiny replica pays homage to one of the better ways to play Prince of Persia back in the day. Rather than having to deal with setup shenanigans, you’ll be able to load your ROM collection onto a USB stick and launch them using WHDLoad – a tool that can handle old floppy disc files.
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Of course, you don’t have to stick with dedicated hardware, and you can choose instead to emulate using a regular PC. Deciding which version of Prince of Persia to go with ultimately depends on which ROM you have legal access to, but you’ll be able to choose between using a conventional desktop rig or opting for a handheld like the Steam Deck orAsus ROG Ally. The 1989 platformer is anything but demanding, so even older Android gaming phones will be able to do the trick. That said, I’ve been messing around with the shiny newAsus ROG Phone 8 Pro, and the old pixels look glorious on its 2,400 x 1,080 165Hz AMOLED display.
It’s worth noting that while I’m referencing the first Prince of Persia game above, you’ll be able to play the retro sequels and spin-offs using the same methods. Whether you choose to upscale original hardware or utilize emulators is up to you, but your wallet might want you to stick with the PC version of Prince of Persia 3D. As much as I love the Dreamcast, copies of the port are ludicrously expensive, whereas you can pick up the Windows 95 version for buttons. Sadly, getting the game to actually run on Windows 11 isn’t a straightforward process, but there areforumswith helpful advice out there if you’re willing to give it a go.
It feels like only yesterday that I got a copy of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time free with a UK tabloid newspaper (seriously, that was a thing). Yet, here we are, about to talk about ways you can play a PS2-era favorite that’s now old enough to drink. The good news is that you can jump into this 3D caper and its two sequels, Warrior Within, and The Two Thrones, just like any other Steam game. The bad news? Well, I’m about to give you another reason why you should splash out on a Steam Deck, and I know some of you have already been trying to fight off the temptation.
For context, the entire 3D Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy is classed as ‘playable’ on Steam Deck. That means it’ll run without any performance hiccups or glitches, and I can say that the results are pretty glorious, especially if you make a few minor tweaks. By that, I mean there’s a way to switch the old PC game from 4:3 to a 16:9 resolution like 1080p, which in turn helps the port feel a bit more modern. Makingthese adjustmentsis more than worthwhile if you’re rocking anAsus ROG Ally, since it means you’ll be able to fill the handheld’s screen and match its resolution.
Naturally, if you’re looking for a retro hardware experience, you’ll want to instead grab hold of an original PS2 or Xbox and play the trilogy that way. I’d be lying if I said this isn’t the option I’ve opted for most over the years, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the console ports are locked at 30fps, whereas you’ll be able to boost things to 60fps on a PC. Secondly, if you opt for the Xbox version, you’ll be able to play it on theXbox Series Xusing backwards compatibility, which looks a lot better than the 480i visuals featured on PlayStation 2.
Weirdly, there’s also a remastered Prince of Persia trilogy that was released exclusively on PS3, and the package offers HD widescreen visuals and higher-resolution textures. If you’ve still got a PlayStation 3 kicking around, or you’re into the idea of investing in a console, this is a solid way to play the 3D trio. However, this specific era of remasters is known for featuring quirks and bugs, and you might notice some shenanigans during your playthrough compared to the originals.
For those of you who’ve been waiting with bated breath forUbisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, exploring the above collection of games may help ease the pain. Hopefully, we’ll see more ways to revisit this classic franchise emerge in the near future, something that the successful launch of The Lost Crown could help make a reality.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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