Play Prince of Persia in Your Browser
Prince of Persia from 1989 returns as a browser rewrite: princejs.com reimplements the original game in JavaScript, so there is no install and no DOS emulator involved. The dungeon, the traps and the sixty minute timer are all there. We link to the project and do not host it.
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What is Prince of Persia (1989)?
Jordan Mechner's Prince of Persia arrived in 1989 and became famous for its rotoscoped animation, which made a small figure move with unusual weight. The premise is a race against a clock: the Prince has one hour to escape the dungeons and reach the princess before the Vizier's ultimatum runs out. Broderbund published the original release.
This version is not an emulator. Someone rewrote the game in JavaScript, so the level layouts and character animation are recreated in code and drawn in the browser canvas. That matters for how it feels: the timing is close to the original, but you may notice small differences in collision or in how quickly a step commits.
It loads almost instantly because there is no game archive to fetch, and it works with a keyboard on desktop and with on-screen controls on a phone. Progress may be kept in browser storage, so a different device means starting over. Every level is short, which suits a format where one mistake sends you back to a checkpoint.
How to play Prince of Persia (1989) in your browser
- Begin on the Prince of Persia page with a new game from the menu
- Move with the arrow keys and hold a direction to run
- Hold shift with a direction for a careful step near edges
- Jump gaps, pull levers and avoid loose tiles and spike traps
- Fight guards by attacking, parrying and retreating at the right moment
- Reach the princess before the hour runs out
Controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrow left / right | Step or run in that direction |
| Arrow up | Jump, climb and pull up onto ledges |
| Arrow down | Crouch, pick up items and drink potions |
| Shift + direction | Take a careful step or a slow approach |
| Shift | Parry or slow your movement during a duel |
| Enter | Confirm menu choices and pause the game |
Controls can differ between builds. Most of these games let you rebind keys from their own settings menu, and you can press Esc to release the mouse pointer.
Tips for Prince of Persia (1989)
- Tap a direction for a single step and hold it to run, the difference decides whether you stop at a ledge.
- Use careful steps near pressure plates and loose tiles, running through them usually springs the trap.
- Save your potions until you know what the next room holds, some are healing and some are poison.
- Fight guards by moving in and out of range, a static duel drains your health fast.
- Note the time when a level starts, the hour limit carries across the whole game rather than resetting.
- Restart a level if you lose too much health early, a clean run through the first floors saves minutes later.
Screenshots
Prince of Persia (1989) FAQ
Is this Prince of Persia browser version free?
The page is free to open and play, with no payment step and nothing to install. We link to the fan project that built the rewrite, and we do not host the game or ask for anything in return.
Is the Prince of Persia web version an emulator?
No, and that is the interesting part. It is a JavaScript rewrite of the 1989 game, so the levels and animation are rebuilt in code rather than running the original DOS executable in an emulator. Expect tiny differences in timing as a result.
Does Prince of Persia work on a phone?
The rewrite has been built to work in mobile browsers with on-screen controls, and the slower pace suits touch better than most retro games. Precision jumps are still easier with a keyboard, so a desktop remains the safer choice.
Can I save my progress in the browser version?
The project can keep progress in browser storage, so a refresh on the same device often picks up where you left off. Clearing site data or switching to another computer usually means starting again, and there is no cloud save.
Why is the Prince of Persia page not loading or responding?
The rewrite needs JavaScript enabled, and it only responds to the keyboard once the canvas has focus, so click inside it first. If the screen stays blank, disable script blockers for the domain and reload the page.
Can I play Prince of Persia with a controller?
A gamepad only helps if the project maps it, and the rewrite is designed around a keyboard. Arrow keys plus shift cover movement and careful steps, which is close to the original control scheme fans remember.
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