Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 86 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 3.5

Runs today4 / 5
Design today2.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

4,481 reviews86% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2003
Developer: Kudosoft
Genre: Action, Adventure
Runs on: Windows, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Yes, with a fix. See the steps below. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	No Mac version is sold.No player reports yet
Linux	Through Proton: ProtonDB rates it Platinum (runs perfectly out of the box). SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

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How to get Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time running today

Cap the frame rate at 60 for pop.exe (not the launcher); higher rates break physics, animation and cutscene audio.
Install the Sands of Time Fix Compilation, which bundles a widescreen fix, a Direct3D 9Ex wrapper, restored EAX audio and controller support.
If the interface is missing, set CanStretchRect=0 in Hardware.ini.
If fog looks extreme, set ForceVSFog=1 and InvertFogRange=0 in Hardware.ini.
If the launcher fails to start, run pop.exe directly from the game folder.

Synopsis

A third-person action platformer in which a young prince unleashes a cursed sand that turns a palace's people into monsters. You run along walls, leap between ledges and solve trap-filled rooms, using a magic dagger that can rewind time to undo a fatal mistake.

What people say

Critics in 2003 praised its acrobatic platforming, time-rewind mechanic, art direction and storybook narration, and it became one of the best-reviewed platformers of its generation. Its combat was the main criticism, seen as simple and repetitive, along with camera trouble. Players today still admire the platforming and atmosphere, but say the fights drag, lock-on targeting is frustrating and the PC version needs fan fixes to run well.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 4 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✗Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 2.5 / 5

✗Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardOn PC, gamepads are unreliable without fan fixes, menus need mouse and keyboard, and lock-on targeting frustrates players in combat. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, steamcommunity.com.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThere is no native widescreen, and the interface can vanish on modern graphics cards without an ini edit. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressSaving happens at sand fountains, but the rewind dagger undoes most mistakes, so little progress is lost; evidence of complaints is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressSave points show a short vision of the route ahead, and players praise the platforming puzzles as readable; evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingPlayers widely say the frequent, repetitive sand-monster fights slow down the platforming. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Camera and movement never fight the playerThe camera can get stuck in walls and was criticized from release onward. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.