Jordan Mechner, answering a question he gets a lot:

Which is your favorite/definitive version of the original Prince of Persia game?

He runs through the various versions, starting with the one I played incessantly:

The Apple II version was the original. It’s the only version I programmed myself; Prince of Persia’s gameplay, graphics, animation and music were all created on the Apple II. I spent three years sweating over every byte (from 1986 to 1989), so it’s close to my heart in a way no other version can be. That said...

I was surprised to learn the 1990 PC version is Mechner’s preferred variant:

If someone asked me the best way to play old-school PoP online today, I’d likely recommend the DOS version.

He calls the Mac port “terrific” (I, surprisingly, never played it). Of the Super Nintendo version, which I played the heck out of, Mechner wrote in his journal:

Wow! It was like a brand new game. For the first time I felt what it’s really like to play Prince of Persia, when you’re not the author and don’t already know by rote what’s lurking around every corner.

He called playing it a “delighted thrill.”

Mechner also makes passing reference to “Sands of Time,” which I played a lot on my PlayStation 2.

Thirty-five years on, I’m still playing Mechner’s game. Sitting on my PlayStation 5 right now is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.