Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Demo Lets You Play the Full Game for Free — But Only If You’re an Online Member

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is now available to play in its entirety for free on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and the catch is a small one. Starting at 10 AM PT today, September 24, through Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 PM PT, the game can be downloaded for free as a playable demo. The only condition is that you need to be a Nintendo Switch Online member to access it.

That is a big deal for a game that has spent years flying under the radar. Ubisoft Montpellier’s 2D Metroidvania-style adventure is a complete package, and the fact that it is being offered for free means anyone who has not tried it can finally see what all the fuss was about. The demo runs until September 30, so there is no reason to wait.

What You Get With the Free Demo

The demo includes the entire Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown game. That means every level, every boss, and every secret the game has to offer is unlocked from the moment you download it. There is no trial period that cuts off before you finish the story. If you want to see how the game plays, you can jump in and play through everything without spending a cent.

There is a catch, though. To play the demo, you need to be a Nintendo Switch Online member. That membership costs extra, but it is a small price to pay for a full game.

The Platinum Points Offer

Nintendo Switch Online members can earn 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points by completing a mission in the game during the trial period. The mission is tied to the game itself, and it is simple enough to find: check the Missions & Rewards section on the Nintendo Switch Online portal or from your Switch’s home screen to see what you need to do.

The points are a nice bonus, but they are not the main reason to play the demo. The main reason is that you get the whole game for free. The points are just a little something extra for members who are already subscribed.

Carrying Over Your Save Data

Like many modern game demos, you can carry over your save data from this trial if you end up buying the full game. That means if you start a playthrough in the demo and decide later that you want to own the game, you can pick up right where you left off without losing any progress.

That feature removes a major barrier to trying the demo. Without it, players might hesitate to invest time in a game they are not sure they want to buy. Now they can play as much as they want and keep their progress, no matter what they decide at the end.

Why This Game Matters

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a 2D Metroidvania-style adventure. That means it borrows ideas from the Metroid series, including exploration, upgrades, and a focus on movement. The game has been praised for capturing what made the original Prince of Persia games so good while fixing some of the problems that plagued the later 3D entries in the series.

IGN reviewed the game and gave it an eight out of 10. The review praised the game for capturing “not only what made games such as The Sands of Time so good,” but also for ironing out “the little issues that plagued the 3D games in this series by opting for a 2D perspective.” That is a strong endorsement from a respected gaming outlet, and it suggests the game is worth your time even if you have not heard much about it.

The Sad Story Behind the Game

Despite the critical acclaim, the team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was disbanded after the game failed to meet sales expectations. Plans for a sequel were also reportedly scrapped in favor of putting the developers on other projects, including Beyond Good and Evil 2, which is still in development and recently added a writer from Assassin’s Creed Shadows to its ranks.

That is a sad story, but it does not diminish the quality of the game itself. The team put a lot of work into Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and the game shows it. The fact that the sequel was cancelled is a reminder that good games do not always survive, but they can still be enjoyed.

What Happened After the Game Released

Since the game released, it has received a few new modes, updates, story DLC, and even a mobile port. The mobile version is another way to experience the game, though the source does not describe exactly what it includes.

The possibility of a sequel remains grim, though. There is hope that renewed interest in the title, thanks to free demos like this one and multiple big sales over the years, could sway Ubisoft’s opinion. But it is not looking likely.

Where to Start Playing

If you are planning on playing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, there are resources to help you get started. Our Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 100% Walkthrough and our handy interactive map and checklist tool are both available. These tips and tricks are a great place to start, especially if you want to see everything the game has to offer.

The game is a really big little game, and it rewards players who take the time to explore. There are secrets hidden throughout the world, and the walkthrough can help you find them all.

What Else Is Happening in the Franchise

At least fans have The Rogue Prince of Persia, which received a fair few updates this year like new elements, tools, weapons affixes, and other quality-of-life improvements. That game has been keeping the franchise alive, even as the original series struggles to move forward.

The highly anticipated Sands of Time remake, however, has been cancelled.

The demo runs until September 30, which is a short window in the grand scheme of things. But it is enough time to fall in love with the game, or to decide it is not for you. Either way, you are making that decision for free.

This is a rare opportunity. A full game, completely playable, for no money down. The catch is a subscription that costs far less than the game itself. It is a win for players and a win for Ubisoft, which gets exposure for a game that might otherwise be forgotten.

Play it. See what you think. The game is worth your time, and the demo is worth your download.

Source material: “Entire Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Game Available to Play for Free in Nintendo Switch Demo, But There’s a Catch,” IGN.

demo · free games · Nintendo Switch · Prince of Persia · Ubisoft