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The Prince of Persia games have changed genre, camera angle and combat system several times, but they keep returning to the same core ideas: precise movement, dangerous traps, acrobatic exploration and a hero trying to outrun time. This guide follows the series from the original 2D platformer through The Sands of Time trilogy, later experiments and The Lost Crown.
Quick answer: Start with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time if you want the most accessible introduction to the modern series. Play the 1989 original for the historical foundation, or choose The Lost Crown for a newer side-scrolling action platformer.
What makes Prince of Persia games special?
The series treats movement as a puzzle. A ledge, pressure plate, blade trap or collapsing platform is not just scenery; it asks you to read timing and distance before committing to the next move. The best entries balance that precision with exploration, so success feels earned without requiring a complicated control scheme.
Prince of Persia games in order
1. Prince of Persia (1989)
The original Prince of Persia established the series’ visual language: careful jumps, sword fights, time pressure and lethal traps. Its animation was unusually fluid for the era, and its short stages encouraged players to learn a route through trial and error.
It can feel unforgiving today, but that difficulty is part of its historical importance. Play it when you want to understand the foundation rather than a modern action game.
2. Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame
The Shadow and the Flame expanded the original formula with larger environments, more enemies and a stronger sense of adventure. It retains the deliberate platforming rhythm while giving the story and world more room to develop.
3. Prince of Persia 3D
Prince of Persia 3D was an ambitious attempt to move the series into a three-dimensional space. Its importance is mostly historical: it shows the difficulty of translating precise 2D movement into early 3D design, before the series found a more stable modern formula.
4. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
The Sands of Time is the best starting point for most newcomers. The rewind mechanic gives players room to learn the environment, while wall-running, climbing and timed traps make movement feel cinematic without removing the need for accuracy.
The game also connects its platforming to the story. Time is not only a plot device; it is part of the player’s toolkit. That combination helped the game stand out from action adventures that treated traversal as a simple way to move between fights.
5. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Warrior Within makes the combat heavier and the atmosphere darker. It adds a more aggressive tone and places greater emphasis on fighting, while still using acrobatics and time manipulation to shape exploration.
Choose it after The Sands of Time if you want a more combat-focused sequel. It is not the same mood as the first game, and that contrast is central to its identity.
6. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
The Two Thrones brings the trilogy toward a more balanced mix of platforming, combat and story. It builds on the movement systems of the earlier games while introducing additional character and stealth ideas.
7. Prince of Persia (2008)
The 2008 Prince of Persia reboot uses a distinct visual style and a different approach to failure. The companion character helps the player recover from many mistakes, which makes the experience more flowing and less focused on repeating a difficult sequence from the beginning.
It is a good choice for players who prefer atmosphere, exploration and a stylized presentation over the tightly structured challenge of the original trilogy.
8. The Forgotten Sands
The Forgotten Sands revisits the broader Sands of Time setting while experimenting with additional powers and environmental puzzles. It is best approached as a companion entry rather than a replacement for the main trilogy.
9. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
The Lost Crown returns the series to a side-scrolling action-platformer structure. It combines responsive movement, exploration, combat and ability-based progression in a format that makes the series’ original platforming identity easy to recognize again.
Choose it when you want a newer entry with a map to explore and a stronger action-game loop. It is also a natural fit for players who enjoy modern metroidvania-style progression.
Which Prince of Persia game should you play first?
- For the classic modern experience: The Sands of Time.
- For series history: the 1989 original, followed by The Shadow and the Flame.
- For a darker combat style: Warrior Within.
- For a more stylized reboot: Prince of Persia (2008).
- For newer side-scrolling action: The Lost Crown.
Why The Sands of Time remains the best starting point
The Sands of Time introduces the series’ most recognizable modern strengths without requiring a player to know its history. The rewind ability softens mistakes, the environments teach movement through play, and the story gives the acrobatics a clear purpose. It is short enough to stay focused while still offering enough variety to demonstrate why the formula worked.
Playing Prince of Persia games on a PC
PC availability, compatibility and controller support vary by release. Use legitimate storefronts or official releases where available, keep the game and graphics drivers updated, and check the requirements before buying or installing. Avoid unofficial downloads that bundle modified executables or unknown installers.
If you are building a broader retro-gaming setup on Windows, the PCFix411 RetroBat guide explains how to organize compatible systems and test one game at a time. For more game history and recommendations, browse the Game Reviews tag and Gaming & Retro Tech category.
Prince of Persia FAQ
What is the best Prince of Persia game?
The Sands of Time is the safest starting recommendation because it combines accessible movement, time manipulation, story and exploration. Players who prefer newer side-scrolling action may prefer The Lost Crown.
Do I need to play the games in order?
No. The major releases are connected by ideas and themes, but you can start with the game whose style appeals to you. Playing The Sands of Time first is useful because it explains the modern formula clearly.
Is Prince of Persia a platformer or an action game?
It depends on the entry. The series began as a platformer, the Sands trilogy blends platforming with action-adventure combat, and The Lost Crown returns to a side-scrolling action-platformer structure.
Shop gaming hardware before you jump back in
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Final verdict
Prince of Persia remains interesting because each era reinterprets the relationship between movement, danger and time. Start with The Sands of Time for the modern classic, visit the 1989 original to see the foundation, and choose The Lost Crown for a newer side-scrolling direction. For more practical PC and gaming coverage, continue through PCFix411’s Gaming & Retro Tech guides.
