While the Sultan of Persia is fighting a war in a foreign country, his Grand Vizier Jaffar orchestrates a coup d'état. His way to the throne lies through the Sultan's lovely daughter. Jaffar kidnaps her and threatens to kill her if she refuses to marry him. Meanwhile, the man the Princess loves is thrown into the dungeon. He has only one hour to escape from his prison, defeat the guards on his way, and stop Jaffar before the terrible marriage takes place.
Prince of Persia is a 2D platformer that focuses on careful advancement through complex levels, emphasizing the protagonist's vulnerability and survival aspect. The game uses rotoscoping technique to give more realism to character movements. Rather than traditional jump-and-run mechanics, Prince of Persia requires precise timing and strategic thinking.
The player must avoid deadly traps, solve simple jumping puzzles, and engage in sword fights with guards. The protagonist has an infinite amount of lives, but must restart at the beginning of each level upon death. With three units of health to start, it can be replenished with small potions or permanently increased with large jars.
The Game Boy Color and SNES versions feature additional levels and new enemies, while the Genesis version includes a new intro, altered graphics, and four new levels.