Universal Videogame List - www.uvlist.net

The original version.

Trivia:
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer expressed interest in creating a movie based on this game. In a 2007 interview he said "I guess it's the 8th or 9th Century, but that could change to. It might change a little bit, we're not sure yet. It'll definitely be a period film; we're not going to make it contemporary." In all fairness however, the reporter had lead him into this error by asking "Do you envision any challenges of trying to film in the mid ages? Is it the mid ages?" and there was also a writer's strike at the time.

Tags:
Mechner produced the unique animation style by studying reference footage of his brother preforming the character's acrobatics and roto-scoping said footage. The title and story strongly suggest this game takes place in the Achaemenid Empire, also popularly identified as the Persian Empire. This would 550 BC to 330 BC, well within classical antiquity; even likely with a liberal definition of the Persian Empire, (8th century BC to 651 AD). However, the game contains anachronisms such as the word "Sultan" and "Grand Vizier". Not surprising since it was influenced by Jordan Mechner's fascination with A Thousand Nights and a Night tales which are themselves full of anachronisms. The player has 60 minutes (real-time limit) in which to rescue the princess (did).