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What is PrinceJS?
PrinceJS is a browser-based reimplementation of the MS-DOS version of Prince of Persia, written in HTML5 and JavaScript. In practical terms, it recreates the classic platformer so it runs in a modern web browser rather than through DOS emulation or an original executable.
Who it suits
- Players revisiting a classic: Anyone who remembers the MS-DOS game and wants a quick, no-install way to play it.
- Curious developers: People interested in how an older game can be rebuilt with web technologies.
- Casual browsers: Those who want to try a piece of gaming history without setting up an emulator.
Trade-offs to expect
A JavaScript reimplementation is convenient and portable, but it is a recreation rather than the original software. Details such as timing, sound and input feel may differ from the MS-DOS release, and browser performance or compatibility can vary. If you want the authentic original experience, a DOS emulator running the actual game files is the closer match.
As a next step, open the site in a desktop browser with a keyboard available, since precision platforming is awkward on touch controls, and compare the movement and timing against your memory of the original.
How does PrinceJS differ from the original MS-DOS Prince of Persia?
PrinceJS is a browser-based reimplementation of the MS-DOS Prince of Persia, so the core difference is delivery and codebase rather than a redesigned game. The original ran as a native DOS program; PrinceJS recreates it in HTML5 and JavaScript so it can run in a modern web browser without an emulator or DOSBox. Based on the site's own description, it targets the MS-DOS version specifically, so you should expect the same level structure, movement and trap behavior as that release rather than the changes found in later ports.
What this means in practice
- Platform: The original needs a DOS environment or emulator; PrinceJS is built for the browser.
- Fidelity: Because it is described as a reimplementation of the MS-DOS version, the intent is to reproduce that version's look and behavior, not to remix it.
- Accessibility: Trying the original takes setup; PrinceJS lowers that barrier for anyone curious about the game.
A useful next step
If you have played the DOS original, use PrinceJS as a quick reference for how the MS-DOS version felt, and compare specific details you remember—level timings, guard behavior, the sword-fighting rhythm—rather than expecting new content. If you have never played it, treat PrinceJS as an easy entry point and look at PrinceJS to see how the browser version is presented.
Can I play PrinceJS directly in my browser without installing anything?
Yes. PrinceJS is a browser-based reimplementation of the MS-DOS Prince of Persia, built with HTML5 and JavaScript, so you play it in a web browser rather than installing a game client. Open the site, load the game, and use your keyboard to control the prince.
What to expect
- No installation: The game runs as a web page; there is nothing to download or set up.
- MS-DOS version basis: It recreates the original MS-DOS game, so expect the classic level layouts, movement and swordfighting rather than the later SNES or remake versions.
- Keyboard play: Like the original, it relies on precise, timed key presses for running, jumping and combat.
Practical next step
Try it first on a desktop or laptop with a physical keyboard. The game's timing-sensitive jumps and duels are much harder to manage on a touchscreen, and browser focus matters: click the game area before pressing keys so the page receives your input.
If you enjoy it and want to compare with the original, the MS-DOS game is also available through Internet Archive's software collection, though that route typically involves an emulator in the browser rather than a native JavaScript port.
What controls and keyboard commands does PrinceJS use?
PrinceJS uses the keyboard: arrow keys move the prince, and the original MS-DOS-style keys handle actions like jumping, crouching, drawing the sword and drinking potions. The page itself gives no key list, so treat the exact bindings as the game's default DOS scheme rather than something confirmed on the site.
Practical next step
Open the game and try the arrow keys first, then the usual action keys (Up to jump, Down to crouch, Shift or Enter for actions, depending on the build). If a key does nothing, check the page's on-screen instructions or the browser console for the control mapping.
Decision criterion
If you need documented, remappable controls, this browser reimplementation may not suit you; if you just want to replay the DOS original quickly, keyboard-only controls are enough.
Where can I find the PrinceJS source code to run or modify it myself?
The source code for PrinceJS, the HTML5/JavaScript reimplementation of the MS-DOS Prince of Persia, is hosted on GitHub. The project's own site at PrinceJS links to that repository, which is where you should go to clone, run, or modify it.
What to expect from the code
PrinceJS is a browser-based reimplementation, so running it locally is mostly a matter of serving static files rather than compiling a native binary. A typical workflow:
- Clone the repository from the GitHub link on the project site.
- Serve the folder with a simple local web server (browsers often block file-based loading of scripts and assets).
- Open the page in your browser and confirm the game runs before changing anything.
Practical notes for modifying it
- Read the README first. Setup steps, dependencies, and any asset requirements are usually documented there; missing game assets are the most common reason a clone fails to run.
- Start small. Change a constant (movement speed, level data) to verify your edit pipeline works before attempting larger changes.
- Check the license. If you plan to publish a modified version, confirm the terms in the repository's license file.
Decision criterion
If your goal is simply to play, use the hosted version at PrinceJS and skip setup entirely. Clone the repository only when you intend to read, debug, or alter the code.
Is PrinceJS a complete playable game or only a partial reimplementation?
PrinceJS is a playable, browser-based reimplementation of the MS-DOS Prince of Persia, not a partial tech demo. The project presents itself as a full HTML5/JavaScript version of that original, so you can expect the core game — running, jumping, sword fighting, traps and the dungeon levels — rather than a sample level or an engine proof of concept.
What that means in practice
- Best for: players who want to revisit the 1989 MS-DOS game without setting up DOSBox, and developers curious how a classic platformer is rebuilt in JavaScript.
- Trade-off: it recreates the MS-DOS version specifically, so expect that version's look and behavior rather than the refinements of later ports.
- Caveat: "complete" describes the game's scope, not a promise that every quirk of the original is reproduced exactly. If exact frame-level fidelity matters to you, compare it against the original as you play.
A practical next step: open PrinceJS and play through the first few levels. If the level structure and guard encounters match your memory of the DOS game, it's serving its purpose as a full reimplementation; if you hit a dead end or missing section, that's your signal it's partial.
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