Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

 Game Boy Advance
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Siliconera
    87
    The game has an innovative use of time travel that doesn't include a cat with a vacuum cleaner or a hard drive to enjoy.
  2. Nintendo Power
    86
    Acrobatic moves and inventive traps have never been as free-flowing as they are in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. [Feb 2004, p.151]
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  3. Nintendojo
    85
    An excellent title on the GBA and still withstands the test of repetitiveness while offering plenty of addictions.
  5. Pocket Games
    85
    Has something for everyone, from hardcore gamers to players picking up their first GBA. [Spring 2004, p.33]
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  6. Gamenikki
    85
    Gameplay mechanics are in place and polished to a smooth experience, and the game belongs in some handheld art museum. Simply gorgeous.
  7. Deeko
    85
    Some may be put off by the fact that you have to control two characters within the realm of the game, but I found it to provide an interesting challenge which only made the puzzles and the overall game that much more pleasurable.
  8. Game Informer
    83
    The game plays almost exactly like the Apple II original, albeit with many improvements, and the frustration involved is just as high. [Dec 2003, p.185]
  9. Next Level Gaming
    81
    The difficulty is also right on point- not easy enough to blow straight through it, but not hard enough to frustrate anyone.
  10. GameZone
    80
    One of the best side-scrollers of the season. It moves at a quick, mostly-steady pace that never causes boredom.
  11. GamePro
    80
    It can be tedious to baby-sit both characters, but the game otherwise guarantees hours of enjoyment, even if it’s only to jump and flip around.
  12. Inside Gamer Online
    78
    If you enjoy beautiful, fluid, entertaining adventures, then this is your chance to take part in one.
  13. GameSpy
    75
    The ability to play as both the Prince and Farah is an interesting addition, but in practice it devolves into standard "you stand on this switch and I'll stand on this one" gameplay. The resulting balance leaves the replay value quickly sucked dry once you've had your fill of the game.
  14. NintendoWorldReport
    75
    The time control aspects are quite innovative and bring variety to the game. The adventure and trap dodging are wonderful and challenging.
  15. Loaded Inc
    75
    The charm of this port is its similarities to the original game, the great animation and the challenging levels, which I have to say are nicely designed.
  16. Game Chronicles
    74
    There is also the added value of new levels, gameplay enhancements, and even a complete buried game locked away waiting for you to connect the GBA and GameCube versions.
  17. Gamer.tv
    73
    The GBA version of The Sands of Time is much more of a straightforward action platformer... lacks any major wow factor.
  18. GameSpot
    71
    Between the character-switching with Farah and the unique ability to rewind time, there's enough new stuff here to keep you at least mildly entertained even if you've beaten all of the GBA Castlevanias and their ilk.
  19. Eurogamer
    70
    Setting my disappointment over its distance from the original Prince of Persia design aside, The Sands of Time on the Game Boy Advance is a rather accomplished and quite extensive platform-puzzler, with some fabulous level design and genuinely considered presentation.
  20. IGN
    70
    The thought of an enhanced version of this game with new time-based elements was extremely exciting, but unfortunately the GBA team took the idea in a far more action-based direction than the careful puzzle design of the original.
  21. Nintendo Insider
    70
    The controls in the game are very responsive and are very tight.
  22. Yahoo!
    70
    Its general lack of lasting appeal and minor flaws are counterbalanced with slick controls, a challenging level of difficulty, and some out-of-the-ordinary gameplay mechanics.
  23. Worth Playing
    69
    The core game play didn't really strike me as anything too special. Running and jumping, endlessly swinging my dagger in levels that could use some better design, eventually got on my nerves.
  24. GameCritics
    55
    A fine 2D platformer, but a rather undistinguished and disposable specimen.
  25. GamingWorld X
    50
    It’s not nearly as inspired, polished, or compelling as the home versions.
  26. Cheat Code Central
    50
    Just an excuse to implement a gimmicky feature that is undoubtedly fun, but not fun enough to warrant a complete game devoted to it.
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Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
65
#65 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
29
#29 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. GerardH.
    Apr 25, 2004
    7
    It's a nice game when you're on the go and the gameplay is OK too, but there is no real thrill since the AI sucks and the levels It's a nice game when you're on the go and the gameplay is OK too, but there is no real thrill since the AI sucks and the levels all look alike. … Full Review »
  2. BenN.
    Dec 1, 2003
    10
    Mad, mad game.
  3. KrisN.
    Nov 1, 2003
    7
    Quite different from the careful movements and slow controls of the original prince of persia, this remake is a blazing-fast platformer that Quite different from the careful movements and slow controls of the original prince of persia, this remake is a blazing-fast platformer that plays like the classic SNES Aladdin (now available for GBA) with shades of Castlevania: Symphony's RPG and adventure elements. While it feels and plays great, it's pretty generic, with elements from the Big Console version of the game, like rewinding time and extracting sand from enemies, feeling somewhat tacked-on. The game is very fun for the first hour or so, but gets somewhat monotonous, an excersize in run-jump-slash trap. All in all, this is an above-average platformer, but a Prince that falls short of its original Ancestor in terms of innovation and design. If you're a fan of smooth-as-silk platformers, take this one for a spin!… Full Review »
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