Prince of Persia – Complete History All Games and Updates

The Prince of Persia franchise stands as one of gaming’s most enduring action-adventure series, spanning over three decades and multiple generations of platforms. Beginning as a groundbreaking 2D platformer in 1989, the franchise has evolved through various iterations, introducing innovations such as time manipulation mechanics and cel-shaded aesthetics while consistently drawing from Persian mythology and storytelling traditions.

Over the years, the series has expanded to include more than 20 main games, spin-offs, and remakes across four distinct timelines. Its most celebrated entries—the Sands of Time trilogy—redefined what action-adventure games could achieve, while more recent releases have explored new genres and fresh narrative directions. The franchise remains active in 2025, with new projects in development and a legacy that continues to influence modern gaming.

What is the Prince of Persia Franchise?

Key Insights About the Franchise

• The original 1989 game pioneered rotoscoped animation, creating fluid character movements that were unprecedented at the time
• Ubisoft acquired the franchise rights in 2001 and revolutionized the series with the Sands of Time reboot in 2003
• The franchise spans four separate timelines with varying degrees of narrative connectivity
• More than 20 games have been released across consoles, PC, and mobile platforms
• The time-rewind mechanic introduced in Sands of Time became a defining feature that influenced countless other games
• A 2010 Disney live-action film adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal was ultimately canceled
• The 2024 entry The Lost Crown marked the franchise’s shift to a 2D metroidvania format

Quick Facts

Who Created Prince of Persia and Its History?

Jordan Mechner developed the original Prince of Persia in 1989, creating what would become one of the most influential games of its era. Working primarily on the Apple II platform, Mechner employed a technique called rotoscoping, wherein he filmed real actors performing movements and then traced over the footage frame by frame to create the game’s remarkably lifelike animations. This innovation gave Prince of Persia a visual fluidity that set it apart from other platformers of the period.

The game’s success led to two direct sequels—Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame in 1993 and Prince of Persia 3D in 1999—each pushing the technical boundaries of the platforming genre. Mechner’s creation had established a template that combined precise platforming, combat sequences, and an epic narrative set within Persian mythology.

The Ubisoft Era Begins

In 2001, Ubisoft acquired the rights to the Prince of Persia franchise, marking a pivotal turning point in its history. Rather than simply continuing the existing series, the company undertook a complete reimagining that would introduce the franchise to a new generation of gamers while preserving the elements that made the original successful. According to Ubisoft’s official franchise page, the Sands of Time reboot represented a major investment in the series’ future.

What Are All the Prince of Persia Games?

The Prince of Persia franchise encompasses an extensive library spanning multiple decades, platforms, and narrative continuities. From the original 1989 Apple II classic to the 2024 metroidvania entry, each era brought distinct changes to gameplay mechanics, visual styles, and storytelling approaches. The complete game list on MobyGames documents over 20 titles across all platforms.

The Original Era (1989-1999)

This period established the franchise’s core identity through three titles: Prince of Persia (1989), Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1993), and Prince of Persia 3D (1999). The original two games featured side-scrolling platforming with increasingly sophisticated level design and combat. The sequel expanded the scope with enhanced fighting mechanics and a story set just eleven days after the first game’s events. Prince of Persia 3D attempted to translate the series into fully 3D environments, though the transition came with technical challenges that affected the final product.

The Sands of Time Trilogy (2003-2005)

Ubisoft’s reimagining proved transformative. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003) introduced the now-iconic time manipulation mechanic, allowing players to reverse brief moments of gameplay—a feature that became synonymous with the franchise. The game also shifted to a third-person perspective and featured a medieval Persia setting filled with Persian mythology elements. Reviews from Metacritic reflect the critical acclaim this entry received.

The subsequent titles—Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (2004) and Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (2005)—completed the trilogy while adopting a noticeably darker tone. Warrior Within notably introduced the concept of the Dahaka, an immortal guardian pursuing the Prince, adding psychological tension to the action. The two games received numerous ports and compilations, including releases for PSP, Wii, and mobile platforms.

The 2008 Reboot and Its Expansion

A complete stylistic departure arrived in 2008 with a new Prince of Persia game featuring cel-shaded visuals and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Set in ancient Persia, the game followed the Prince and Elika as they confronted the corrupt Ahura. A companion title, Prince of Persia: The Fallen King (2008), released for Nintendo DS, served as an epilogue to the main story. While critically received, the shift in art direction divided longtime fans of the series.

Standalone Entries and Mobile Expansions

Following the 2008 reboot, the franchise explored various directions. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (2010) returned to the Sands of Time continuity as a prequel, exploring events before the original Sands of Time story. Multiple mobile titles emerged during this period, including puzzle spin-offs and remakes of earlier entries. A remake of Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame launched for mobile in 2013, bringing the 1993 classic to touchscreens.

What is the Status of the Latest Prince of Persia Games?

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown represents a significant departure from previous entries. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the game embraces a 2D metroidvania structure with hand-crafted levels, time-attack challenges, and roguelite elements. Players control a new protagonist named Soroush, navigating the cursed land of Qaf with abilities acquired through exploration rather than linear progression.

Reviews have highlighted the game’s strong platforming mechanics and combat system, with particular praise for how it carves a distinct identity separate from the Sands of Time era. The change to a new protagonist and independent timeline allows the game to stand apart from established continuity while honoring the franchise’s themes.

Sands of Time Remake Status

The planned remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remains in an uncertain state. Announced between 2020 and 2022, the project aimed to bring the 2003 classic to modern platforms with updated visuals and refined gameplay. However, no significant updates have emerged in recent years, and development progress remains unclear as of 2025. The lack of confirmation has led to speculation about the project’s future.

Upcoming Projects

Looking further ahead, The Rogue Prince of Persia is currently in development as a rogue-lite entry in the series. Details remain limited, but the project represents continued investment in the franchise. No specific release window or platform information has been confirmed as of early 2025.

Prince of Persia Movie and Adaptations

The franchise attempted to expand into film on multiple occasions. The most notable effort was a Disney-produced live-action adaptation that reached advanced production stages before cancellation. The project, which would have starred Jake Gyllenhaal in the titular role, was officially canceled in 2010 after years of development. Various script revisions and production challenges ultimately led to the studio moving in a different creative direction.

Beyond the canceled Disney film, no other major Prince of Persia film or television adaptations have been officially announced or released. The franchise’s narrative complexity across multiple timelines presents adaptation challenges, though the core fantasy elements and action sequences would theoretically translate well to modern streaming content.

The Four Prince of Persia Timelines Explained

Understanding the Prince of Persia series requires recognizing that its games exist across four separate narrative continuities rather than a single unified timeline. This structure developed organically as different development teams brought distinct visions to the franchise.

1. 1989-1999 Original Timeline: Prince of Persia (1989), Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1993), and Prince of Persia 3D (1999) form a continuous narrative arc spanning eleven days following the original game’s events.
2. Sands of Time Continuity: The most celebrated timeline encompasses The Sands of Time (2003), Battles of Prince of Persia (2005), Warrior Within (2004), The Two Thrones (2005), and The Forgotten Sands (2010). The narrative explores the Prince’s encounters with the Sands of Time and the immortal Dahaka.
3. 2008 Reboot Universe: The cel-shaded Prince of Persia (2008) and its DS companion The Fallen King (2008) share continuity, featuring the Prince and Elika’s journey through ancient Persia to defeat the corrupted Ahura.
4. Standalone Entries: The Lost Crown (2024) introduces a new protagonist named Soroush in a separate timeline, allowing creative freedom without contradicting existing narratives.

Most games outside the Sands of Time continuity operate independently, meaning players need not experience them in any particular order. This fragmented structure has both advantages—allowing creative experimentation—and disadvantages, as no single unifying narrative connects the franchise’s history.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

The Franchise’s Cultural and Industry Impact

Prince of Persia holds a significant place in gaming history, particularly for its technical innovations and influence on subsequent action-adventure titles. The original game’s rotoscoping technique set new standards for character animation in video games, demonstrating that digital characters could move with lifelike fluidity. This approach influenced later titles and established Jordan Mechner as a pioneer in game development.

The Sands of Time trilogy’s success reshaped expectations for action-adventure games. Its seamless integration of platforming, combat, and puzzle elements provided a template that inspired numerous games in the years following its release. The time-rewind mechanic, in particular, became a frequently imitated feature across the gaming industry.

The franchise’s expansion across so many platforms—from Apple II to modern consoles—demonstrates its adaptability and enduring appeal. Each era brought the series to new audiences while attempting to honor the elements that made it successful. The contrast between the gritty Sands of Time entries and the artistic 2008 cel-shaded reboot illustrates the challenges of maintaining franchise identity across radical stylistic shifts.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Prince of Persia

The Prince of Persia franchise enters a new phase with The Lost Crown’s critical reception suggesting there remains substantial audience appetite for the series. Ubisoft’s continued investment, evidenced by The Rogue Prince of Persia project, indicates commitment to further development.

The metroidvania direction taken with The Lost Crown represents a calculated risk—departing from the linear action-adventure format that defined most previous entries. If this approach proves successful, future games might continue exploring diverse genre combinations while maintaining the franchise’s core themes of time manipulation, Persian mythology, and acrobatic platforming.

The Sands of Time trilogy remains the benchmark against which subsequent entries are measured, setting expectations that continue to influence franchise direction decades after its initial release.

For players interested in experiencing the franchise, The Lost Crown offers an accessible entry point on all major current-generation platforms. Those seeking the acclaimed Sands of Time era can find the original games through various digital storefronts, though the uncertain status of the remake means the classic remains unchanged from its 2003 form. As the franchise moves forward, it balances honoring its legacy with the need to evolve and attract new audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions