Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance)

common sense media says

Great story is good choice for teens and older.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a good choice for teens and older game players. There is a fair amount of violence, but the game does not dwell on it. Much of the fun comes from the challenge of figuring out how to get past the traps and tricks of the palace.

Educational value: Some. The puzzles and brainteasers challenge the mind, and the game may inspire players to look into other fairy tales, such as Arabian Nights.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Some blood, usually 1-2 main fighting scenes per level. Zombies, fighting scenes, scary deaths.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about actions and consequences. What leads the prince to cause so much trouble? Families can also discuss the different styles of gameplay. Do you prefer fighting the fantasy creatures or finding your way around the devious traps?

What's the story?

What's the story?
As the Prince of Persia, you set out to impress your father by capturing the fabled sands of time. You do so, but then are tricked by an evil vizier into releasing the sands, which leave only evil and destruction in their wake. Now you must redeem yourself by reclaiming the sands of time, but it won't be easy. Filled with deadly traps and the now zombie-like guards, the palace isn't a palace -- it's an early death waiting to happen.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is a good choice for teens and older players. Much of the fun comes from figuring out how to get past the traps and tricks of the palace. It has great storytelling flair, and you'll be captivated by its Arabian Nights-themed story. A strong positive aspect of the game is that it actions have consequences: The Prince relies on deception and conquest to capture the sands of time, and that leads to later destruction.

Prince of Persia has a lot of fighting scenes, which do contain blood. Although much of the battles are against "sand creatures," or zombie-like guards, the Prince fights other humans in early scenes. It's heartening that violence isn't the focus of the game. Fighting is in some ways presented as an unavoidable evil -- especially after the sands have been released.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: UbiSoft
Released on: January 9, 2004
Price: 45.00
ESRB Rating: T

This review was written by Jeremy Gieske
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

angelostar
kid, 12 years old
 
really fun in fact im playing it right now i really am

 
Wow, Just Wow
This game should be a movie. The story told by the Prince is so epic it's surprising they still could make two more games. The story involves the Prince, who was tricked into opening Hourglass of Time with the Dagger of Time releasing the sands of (you guessed it) time which turned everyone into sand creatures,Farah, the daughter of the king from who the hourglass was stolen, and the Vizer, the Evil Guy who tricked the Prine into opening the hourglass. There is violence, but it's mostly stylized. Though they are fun for a while, the fights eventually become a slight from the best part of the game, The Puzzles. The game takes place in a palace that has what I can only describe as a medieval security system. There are tons of obstacle courses to get through and they are just difficult enough to annoy you, but fun enough to keep you coming back. This is a great game to play and even watch. I highly recommend this game to anyone.

 
The best for the POP series
This game is the best of the POP series. The fighting is awesome, the story is awesome, the plot it awesome, the graphics are awesome, the music is awesome. Everything about this game is PERFECT, except for the camera angles, which can get jumpy and sometimes very frustrating when jumping off walls and poles. People who are looking for a long, interesting game should definately take a look at Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.

 
...
overall good game

prince of ...
kid, 12 years old
 
looks fake

sorbin1295
kid, 12 years old
 
tweens
Not really anything bad, except the sand people are scary. nothing good either.

 
Fun
THis game is fun but hard

masterchi101
teen, 15 years old
 
This game kicks ***

BugGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
Game on
This is a good game. I mean if you're into the usual blood and violence, then this is the game for you. I would not reccomend this if you have a sensitive stomach.

 
Good action game, though it was rather short.
Too bad this game was so short! It was definitely fun to play, even to watch, and the puzzles really got your mind working sometimes. The characters are well designed, and the enemies don't even bleed... just blood. It is a bit dramatic, but hey, who doesn't like a bit of drama? There's a great ending to this game, followed by a sequel (also recommended: Prince Of Persia 2: Warrior Within... warning-much more mature). This is an awesome game, great for teens and adults alike. You may want to keep young kids away from this game, though, due to weapons and most of the game having a dagger play a major part. *thumbs up!*

 
I was instantly obsessed...
This was one of the best video games i had played in a long while. Playing it the first time at my friends cabin as we switched game play between the two of us i instantly became obsessed with it. Not only was the superior game play very very intriguing but the graphics were good and the plot was PHENOMONAL. I particularly enjoyed how everything tied together in the end and enveloped into a delightful and intruiging plot twist. My only draw back regarding this game was the final boss battle. The man had consumption...you really did nothing for him to die.

 
not bad game but some characters are scantily clad and their is a lot of violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

icebatboy
kid, 11 years old
 
Good game has a arabian feel to it.
This game is brilliant, full stop. But some of it's content really needs to be discussed, when you first humanoids a tiny bit of blood will fall, but I don't know if it is blood or a mark to show that you hit them, either way it's red and can look like blood. The sexual content is stronger than most other platformers. The prince flirts with Farah and Farah flirts back. In one scene the prince and Farah have a ' bath ' together, in which Farah seduces the prince and steals his dagger, although nothing graphic is shown the prince is shown kissing Farah at least once or twice and them swimming nude, although no sexual body parts are shown. That scene ends with them holding hands. The game is brilliant and definitely the best of the PoP games. You need not worry about your player dying, for you can rewind time if you have enough sand, which is scattered all over the place. I think it is good for kids 9 and up, for where I come from that's the age you receive more adult education.

0897film
teen, 14 years old
 
a really good game with minimum violence

gamefan
teen, 16 years old
 
It's not bad at all

 
Best multi-console game of the year.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. The Prince moves like an olympic gymnast both in battle and while exploring, and the graphics are almost perfect. However, like all great games, it does have flaws. The camera has a nasty habit of moving to an entirely unhelpful place, though this is, thankfully, not a common occurance. Also, parents of young children should be aware that half of the gameplay is based on fighting slightly spooky "sand creatures," and these battles, though very cool and fun to watch, could be innappropriate for very young children who might try to immitate these stunts, or who might be scared by the sand creatures. Otherwise, the game is a very fun 3D platformer that will often have the player gaping open-mouthed at the Prince's amazing gymnastic moves and time-controlling powers. I'd reccommend renting it, however, as, once you've beaten it, you will have no desire to do so again.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age