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SDLPoP: How to Get and Play the Open-Source Prince of Persia Port

SDLPoP ports the original DOS Prince of Persia to modern systems, with added features, configurable keyboard controls and optional gamepad support.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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SDLPoP is an open-source port of the original DOS Prince of Persia (PoP1), built from a disassembly and extended with features such as quicksaving and replay recording. It has documented routes for Windows, GNU/Linux and macOS, but the available package versions differ by source. Keyboard play is supported, and a gamepad is optional.

What SDLPoP is—and what it is not

The SDLPoP project describes the game as “an open-source port of Prince of Persia, based on the disassembly of the DOS version, extended with new features.” It recreates the DOS game rather than being a new official edition of the series. Its added conveniences include quicksave and quickload, screenshots, replay recording and playback, mod folders, fullscreen mode, and command-line options for mods and debugging or cheats. See the SDLPoP project repository and README for the project’s feature list and instructions.

The README identifies the project as licensed under the GNU General Public License and points to the license materials in the repository. It also calls out src/opl3.c, src/opl3.h and src/stb_vorbis.c as external libraries with separate licenses. Anyone reusing or redistributing the software should read the relevant license files directly.

Which version should you download?

Choose a build for your operating system and check the version shown by the distributor; the cited sources do not offer identical versions for every platform.

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Route What the cited source lists Best suited to
Prince of Persia: Original Trilogy downloads SDLPoP 1.23 for Windows and GNU/Linux; macOS 1.20 DMG. The page says 1.23 was released by Dávid Nagy in February 2023. Players seeking a ready-made download for one of the listed platforms.
Homebrew Formulae Stable 1.23, with binary package support for macOS and Linux architectures. macOS or Linux users who use Homebrew to install software.
Project repository README links compiled Windows, Linux and macOS versions and documents build instructions. The repository is the place to check for a potentially newer or bleeding-edge build. Players checking the project’s own links or compiling from source.

These are source-specific listings, not a guarantee that every distributor updates at the same time. Confirm the version and platform on the download page or package source before installing.

Install SDLPoP on your computer

Windows

Use the Windows build linked from the SDLPoP README or the SDLPoP download listing at Prince of Persia: Original Trilogy. Check the version displayed on the source you choose; the latter lists version 1.23.

GNU/Linux

The README links a compiled Linux version and documents package or compile routes. Arch Linux users are directed to the sdlpop AUR package. Debian and Ubuntu users can follow the README’s manual compilation instructions. Homebrew also lists stable 1.23 and binary package support for Linux architectures.

Rank #2
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Prince of Persia Trilogy HD - Playstation 3
  • Relive the epic adventure in high definition. Fully re-mastered in 720p HD with new textures, normal maps and anti-aliasing, these titles have never looked as vibrant and crisp.
  • Play a combined total of over 30 hours of gameplay on one Blu-Ray disc.
  • Experience the Prince's adventures in full 3D stereoscopic view (3D television required).
  • All games will run in spotless frame rate of sixty frames per second, which allows for more fluid game control and an overall heightened Prince of Persia experience (30 FPS for stereoscopic 3D view).
  • Supports online leaderboard and achievements / trophies system to help foster an online community aspect for the original games.

macOS

The cited Original Trilogy page lists a macOS 1.20 DMG, while Homebrew lists stable 1.23. The README also documents compiling on macOS. Because the listed versions differ, check the exact source and version before choosing a route.

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Compile from source

The project README requires SDL2 and SDL2_image development libraries to compile. Follow the instructions for your operating system in the repository README. Its Debian/Ubuntu instructions cover manual compilation, and it points Arch Linux users to the AUR package. Other-system ports are described by the project as unofficial.

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Controls and controller support

Keyboard controls cover movement, climbing and sword combat, and can be redefined from the in-game pause menu. The README’s documented defaults include:

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The Rogue Prince of Persia - Nintendo Switch 2
  • REWRITE FATE. SAVE PERSIA. DIE TRYING: Shape the legend of a Prince spared by death, whose fatal mistake doomed his people. Try your best to right your wrongs: each failure is a new chance to explore different paths, discover secrets, meet new characters, and use the knowledge gained from past attempts to change your people's fate and prove yourself as the true Prince of Persia!
  • MASTER A FAST AND ACROBATIC STYLE: As the Prince of Persia, agility is your greatest weapon. Dodge traps, wall-run, chain acrobatic combos, and strike with precision. Every movement is an opportunity, and every battle will reward skill and style.
  • FIGHT YOUR OWN WAY: Discover, unlock, and master over 100 unique weapons and medallions. Adapt, upgrade, and customize your build with each run, crafting deadly combinations that fit your playstyle.
  • ONE MORE TRULY UNIQUE RUN: No run is ever the same. Dive back into this ever-evolving adventure, where narration, metaprogression, difficulty modifiers, random events, and procedurally generated levels will always leave you craving just one more unique run.
  • Left and right: run or turn.
  • Up: jump or climb.
  • Down: crouch or climb down.
  • Shift: interact or take careful steps.
  • Movement combinations: perform actions such as hops, jumps and ledge grabs; sword fighting also uses movement controls.

SDLPoP also documents gamepad input. The D-pad maps to the arrow keys, joystick movement defaults to left and right, and buttons map to down, up, Shift and the in-game menu. Controller support is optional; the project materials do not establish that a particular controller model is guaranteed to work.

If a controller behaves incorrectly, the README suggests configuring gamecontrollerdb.txt. Since version 1.23, the game detects controllers plugged in while it is running. For device-specific setup, use the controller guidance in the project README.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
SaleBestseller No. 2
Prince of Persia Trilogy HD - Playstation 3
Prince of Persia Trilogy HD - Playstation 3
Play a combined total of over 30 hours of gameplay on one Blu-Ray disc.; Experience the Prince's adventures in full 3D stereoscopic view (3D television required).
$199.99

What to know before using or redistributing it

  • SDLPoP is a community-developed port of DOS PoP1, not a new official release.
  • The project README identifies a GNU General Public License, with separate licenses applying to the external libraries it names.
  • Build availability and version numbers depend on platform and distributor; verify the listing you intend to use.
  • Keyboard input is supported and configurable, so a gamepad is not a requirement.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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