Prince of Persia - Versions Comparison (HD) 

🕹️ Explore retroserk, my other channel dedicated to retro game reviews and comparisons in Spanish. Join the fun! youtube.com/@retroserk

Wow, I'm actually impressed by the Apple II version, considering it's running on 70s hardware.

The PC-98 version has such a nice ambient, foreboding soundtrack that really gets those Middle Eastern stylings down perfectly. I mean, Toshiya Yamanaka was a fucking master at these FM soundtracks back them

the pc-98 version impressed Mechner so mutch that he used that version's player sprite and life bar in the second game.

The Macintosh version is my favourite as it keeps the original aesthetic of the game intact but improves on every aspect of the game.

Very cool. PC DOS for me back in the day. Great to see all the various intros, especially mega CD, genesis looked good 👍🏼

As far I remember the SNES version was a remake actually. I mean the scenes are different, the entire game was redone.

*Street Fighter 2:* I am the most ported game of all time *POP 1:* That's cute...

The SNES version took it to a whole new level with extra levels, story, bosses and awesome soundtrack, not to mention a more dramatic final battle.

It's actually pretty difficult to pick a favourite. First there's the presentation such as the intro. I love the original for its simple yet elegant style of storytelling. The way the body language is used is superb. On the other hand it's interesting to see how other versions have attempted to flesh it out and make it more cinematic. I can't help but love the cheesiness of the Sega/Mega CD version. As for the music, the DOS version takes it for me. It had my favourite instrumentation of the original composition. As for graphics and animation, I love the original for doing a lot with a little. Without going into too much detail, it's probably easier for me to list the versions I liked and just say I either didn't like the graphical style or felt the animation was compromised too badly in the versions I don't list. The versions I liked were: The original Apple ii, SAM Coupe, Amiga, DOS, NES, SNES, Sega/Mega CD, Macintosh and Genesis.

The Snes is the best one in playability. It has 20 beauty stages, awesome puzzles and battle mechanics is very good.

The SEGA CD version surprised me for being a "1980s and 1990s anime"

The PC-98 intro is GORGEOUS, holy shit

Wow GB version is really accurated with fluid animations.

All versions have something good to offer, but the SEGA CD version is my favorite overall with decent graphics, voice overs, great music, cut-scenes and gameplay...

Loved this on the Amiga, but seeing it on the SNES, wow

version of Snes and a work of art!

PC-98 has amazing music. I like the SNES music also. Lol, that Mega CD intro.

wow. that voice acting in the Sega CD version. Just... wow.

Is it just me or adding more details into the sprite makes the character movement look choppy. They all look good in their own ways, but I find that simple seem to create an illusion of more.

The Sharp X6800 version is veryyyy impressive for the time. Look at the amount of detail in the Princess’s room

I played the PC DOS version. I remember the game was saved on a floppy disk - man, the memories! 😅

I played DOS and Master System versions when I was a kid, but the day I bought my Snes with Prince of Persia that version completely blew my mind, the graphics, the music, the atmosphere, it almost felt like a different and improved game in every possible way.

The Sega Mega Drive version looks superb don't know how I missed that version all those years. It remains a mystery why they didn't make an even better version for the Sega CD and it was just based on the PCE.. The DOS and Amiga version will stay in my heart since these were the version I played most when I was young! :)

I owned the Mega CD version in the past... nice memories

I guess this is one of the most ported video games of all time

Gosh, the memories. I used to have a PC from the early 90's, but my dad threw it away when I was 12 and I have never got over it! ) ': I used to have hours of fun on my old PC playing Prince of Persia and challenge of the ancient empires!!!! I have also played army men by 3DO and their games were AWESOME!!!! I also like Max 2, Monkey Island, The sims and theme hospital, such awesome games.

Thanks for showing all versions !

Amiga and PC versions are the first conversions from the APPLE-II original release. They were made by Broderbund and are the most faithful to the original with very similar GFX and sound that are just updated and animation of the sprites that seem to use the rotoscoping idea. Then came the Atari ST and Amstrad CPC conversion. French studio Loriciel made fabulous work here. Atari ST version is very nice adding new colors despite abandoning rotoscoping for sprites, but it's the CPC version that is the most impressive with brilliant mode 0 GFX, nice GFX, perfect gameplay and offering all the content from the original version that wasn't so usual on the Amstrad computer 🤩. Surprisingly, the SAM Coupé and NES version seem to be both converted from PC DOS or Amiga version. I love the Macintosh version also designed by J. Mechner himself 😛. It offers an insteresting and beautiful upgrade to the previous 16bit GFX used in the Amiga and PC DOS versions. And this high-resolution in 640x480, so much detailed 😍 After that, every studio took more or less liberties to adapt the game on a new machine. The Megadrive version is interesting with its detailed graphics and additional images. Everyone acclaims the SNES version while I personally find that it takes far too many liberties with the original level design, and not always for the better. The Gamegear and SMS version are just astonishing considering the hardware constraincts, as the GB version, showing that the effectiveness of the gameplay designed by Mechner makes it possible to convert the game quite simply even on very modest systems. I'm not really convinced by the X68000/FM-Towns/PC-98 versions, asian influences are visible and clash with the original Arabian Nights atmosphere. And the GFX, despite the hi-res rendition, disturb me with their 16 color using dithering. But the version that made me laugh a lot is the Sega-CD version with its anime characters, pink and green haired, and Jaffar that look like Dracula in Castlevania, so ridiculous 🤣 And what happened to the fabulous GFX of the Megadrive version ? This Mega-CD version is so much less successful 😅.

This video is so eye opening, excellent work for an excellent all time classic!

Completely unexpected, but the Macintosh is asthonishing. The upscaling to 640x480 is done really nice.

Es chistoso cómo las versiones de PC japonesas son de las que mejor se ven y tienen música

La versión de snes es épica. Los gráficos,la música,los diseños de cada nivel son espectaculares ♥️♥️

FM Town and Genesis are the best looking, but I will always remember the Amiga one fondly.

5:30 Hey can someone stop messing around with the aux lead? Oh....

Super Nintendo version is my favorite. Because you have a lot of new levels and locations. Other versions same on each others.

The sega genesis version is nostalgic for me. Didn't know there were this many renditions, very cool

I am looking for a Tandy 1000 or an Amiga to play this. Any other good consoles or computers you recommend?

First game in my life. I like it.

The apple one looks impressive, but sound is another matter. I always thought it started on dos as well

My favorite would definitely be the PC-98 version. Best soundtrack, graphics, and gameplay.

Altho not a full release as of yet, it's a shame the Atari xl version is not here. It's splendid

The colours in the Atari ST version look a bit funny.

Good Comparison Retrosutra. Some good versions here, but my fave will always be the Atari ST version - just for pure nostalgia. Keep up the excellent vids brother. One question tho. Why did you delete the first upload?. Just curious.

I think that all version are really good

Things I learned from watching this video- Slamming ones nose into a wall is nothing! Dungeons should be well lit at all times. Apple II is shrill CPC likes to flick screen SAM has footsteps like a giant and a small egg timer Amiga He likes to run kinda chill, sit for a while after a fall ST needs to clean that vinyl before playing that record, and he doesn't like to run at a consistent speed PC version music sounds like the same instruments as every other game you own (because they are) and in a weird turn looks like the Amiga version. PC-98 Blue guy sees in colour an awesome story, but I can't read it. Prince of colour artifacts and dither! Cool sword X68000 Blue guy sees in col......... hold on a min! didn't I just watch this same version on the PC-98? that can't be right this is great system for games. Cool sword FM Towns Blue guy se..... no no no no no what is going on here. Still cool sword Turbografx-CD I was right to be suspicious! it's the blue guy again, but this time I can read the story as well as see it. Lower res less dithering Game boy Princess sleeps on the floor, and I think that's why he runs like he's stiff. Sucks all the colour out of the universe NES Bah who wants the story, get on with it. Scrolling ?? why SNES Blue sky at night Jaffar's delight. Ridiculous slippers, everything you thought you knew about the layout no longer counts and he loves to climb and climb and climb Game Gear Story abridged, small egg timer and small floor plates . Basically small Master system Game Gear Bigger system, same game Sega CD CD equals speaking! please stop the story drags on, I'm bored Mac Back to an Apple, cartoon graphics Mega Drive lay out stone slabs in stripes and don't forget some rivets. Game Boy No bed for princess. How does he glide so much with tiny steps. Enemy looks like Link!!

another great game! what about doom or castle wolfstein? and what about the ishar series?

What is the most powerful version of this game? The one that most demanded graphics and processing at the time? Macintosh version?

Niiice :) Macintosh verion is like a drawing by hand for comicbook and it looks like perfect game, but I had PC DOS version

Great game, played loads on the ST back in the day.

The BEST Prince is on SEGA MEGA DRIVE/GENESIS!

Love these videos. Pains me to say, but I was well impressed with the Amstrad version (I was ZX Spectrum kid). Interesting choice by Domark to put the lives in the top left on the SMS/GG versions. Also, what's with the line at the top of the screen?

I think the NES version is kind of underrated (maybe the battle is tricky, but the rest of the controls are quite good), I think it's one of the best for that console.

My childhood in ONLY one game!! One game but so many pretty cool versions. I played PC DOS, NES, GBC, SNES, Sega genesis, Sega Master System, Sega CD, PC Engine CD & MACintosh...& In this order. My TOP 3: 1°- SNES 2°- PC Engine CD 3°- MACintosh

damm... that 54:20 version from Super Nintendo LOOKS AMAZING! I played the 21:46 PC DOS version, amazing experience.

You know, an excellent Atari 8-bit version was made relatively recently....!

Sega CD, Macintosh and Sega Genesis are the 3 best versions visually and by music and art style in my opinion.

Interesting how both the soundtracks and the sound synthesis methods are vastly different in each system. The Apple II sounds like it uses two square waves only. While Amiga, DOS, PC-98, Sharp x68000 and Sega Genesis sound like FM synth, FM Towns and SNES sound like wavetable synth, Gameboy is two squares, NES is two squares and a triangle plus noise. Some like the Sega CD have sampled voices too.

I have a question maybe someone here can answer... Is possible to play the Macintosh version on an emulator on a Steam Deck?

FM towns looks and sounds amazing (:

I remember the Genesis version has super laggy controls. Was this the case with the Sega CD version?

Fiquei impressionado com as animações do sega CD

I played dos. version back in time..time of dos games :)

Man. Prince of Persia came out for the Apple II in 1989? Freaking that computer was released 12 years earlier. If that doesn't tell you how slowly tech advanced in those years, I don't know what would. My family had an Apple II, but by the time PoP came out, I had me an Amiga, so that's the first place I saw it in action.

Amiga/PCDOS is the classic game look for me. The original art but pixel-perfect, colour-rich, elegant and beautiful.

No sabía que había tantísimas versiones del primer Prince of Persia!! Pero igual me quedo con la versión de SNES. Sabes si después del Prince of Persia 2, hay alguna continuacion antes de alguna versión de Ubisoft!? Lo digo porque en PoP2 al final del juego se ve como una bruja viendo a los príncipes a traves de su bola de cristal, y pensaba que si había algún juego que seguía esa línea de historia.

!!! What the heck is a pc98?? That version looks incredible! And look how fast it runs.

She’s Genesis version is very nice though I am terrible at the game

I play the 1.3 Dos version to enjoy the MT32 soundtrack and the Mac version for the graphics. The Mac version has been patched to fix the "slow" animation, a bug involving refresh rate or something.

There is also a BBC Micro version. Sure it is a PD version, but still... (Some website inaccurately said that Prince of Persia originated on the BBC Micro, lol)

di8sculpa con cual software te grabàs porque el fraps ni se entera cuando pones algun emulador japones

PC98, Sega CD & Macintosh version got their own aesthetic and ambience.

Where can you play Sam Coupe and PC-98 version???

Nice comparsion, but you missed Macintosh monochrome version and Nokia java version.

Well, I wouldn't have thought there were so many variants of gaming platforms in the early 90s. Even more than now.

The Atari ST seems to have a wider viewing angle. The Amiga sound is over the top, rather irritating. The light effect on megadrive is really nice. PC98 is very impressive. I think I prefer the Atari version having viewed these a few times, but I think it's a great game on all the formats. Never heard of FM Towns. The SNES version looks interesting, but the character has the arms of the thing from the fantastic four.

the sega CD, WOW!

The Sultan: _"Did You Just Killed EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE Of My GUARDS???!!! Oh, Please Young Man, Don't do That, They All Cost 500 Denars Each!!"_ The Prince: _"B-But, M-My Sire...."_ The Sultan: _"No Excuses!! You Shall Marry My Daughter As Punishment!!"_ The Princess:

Game Boy Color < Game Gear/Master System Megadrive < MegaCD < SNES

la version de x68000 y fmtowns son iguales jajaj , buen video bro

La versione di POP per Commodore 64 meritava di essere messa in questa comparazione.

SNES was a BEAST with that soundtrack

por orden de gusto y calidad. Me quedo con la version de: 1. mac, por su higres y definicion, tambien su fidelidad al original. 2.Sega CD por su intro , dialogos y ambiente manga. 3. Super nintendo, por sus pequeños detalles, como cuando corres y te vuelves, levantas polvo, los detalles de los fondos, mas serios q en genesis q tambien están muy bien. 4. x68000 y pc , demasiados pixels en las versiones de x68000, el pc , está muy desaprovechado, vga 256 o version opengl.

Nice video.

I recently started playing SNES , DOS (retroarch) and MAC (Basilisk II) on my iPad . Originally I played DOS version when I was a child, but all three are great and have something different to offer. Same goes to Prince 2 , DOS version has better music (works better on emulator) while MAC version has high res graphics. Wish there was a sequel in same style.

The SNES version of PoP is the best one, hands down. Like not even a contest. Everything about it was top notch. Loved the expanded levels, atmospheric soundtrack, different tile sets for the levels, and the final boss fight was absolutely epic as hell. The Mega Drive version was also okay, but the animation was incredibly stiff and the music was just awful. I did think it was cool that it had five unique levels not present in the Genesis version though. I like the versions that expand on what the original had to offer.

I love Amiga/Nes versions how striped out they are

Imagine this happened in Aladdin, because the antagonist is Jafar. It's the same person. Is this set in the same universe as Arabian nights? I hope so!

You need check the Atari 8-bits version! :-O

You forgot the ZX Spectrum version again.

A versão do Snes é a melhor de todas.

Is it me or do the Sega GameGear and the Sega Master System ports look and sound identical?

SNES ... Forever! More levels, nice music and grafics ... L and R butttons are funcional. This game is a gem ... a "must have". Take a CRT TV too ... enjoy!!

Other versions: Prince Of Persia Sega CD: Prince Of Anime

TOP 3 PoP versions 1º - Super Nintendo 2º - Macintosh 3º - PC DOS (Original)

I'm surprised they let the blood slip in after the last fight on the Sega CD and Genesis versions

you missed the ps2-gamecube-xbox version, included as an unlockable in "sands of time" also came out in the wii virtual store

No ZX spectrum here, wow, this is sad, but thank you anyway. I like the original it reminds me of good old times, and I like the versions where the main character is wearing a turban. It's kind of weird to see a blond guy in an oriental fairy tale. As far as I remember the next version didn't have all the levels. At least that was the problem of a bootleg cartridge I had back then. I remember completely enjoying the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis version. Although it was slightly more colorful than needed. You could lure guards into ambushes there or push them off the floor. What a game.

PC DOS version 24:00 seems basically the same as the Commodore Amiga's version 15:25 without the nasty slowdown. Personally, I think that the SNES version 55:38 seems the most impressive.

i love so much the snes ost