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The wait may soon be over for fans of one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. According to rumors circulating online, the long-overdue remake of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time should come out in the first half of 2026.

Five years have passed since Ubisoft promised players a remake of the beloved PS2 classic Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. After missing its initial January 2021 release window, the project was hit with multiple delays, eventually culminating in the remake being transferred to an entirely new development team. Faced with such dispiriting news, many wondered whether the project might have been cancelled altogether. 

But after years of hesitation and uncertainty, fans of the long-dormant franchise may finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last week, notable leakers published an article asserting that the much-anticipated remake was slated to launch sometime in mid-January 2026. Better yet, trusted insider and editor-in-chief at InsiderGaming Tom Henderson narrowed down the date even further to January 16. 

Earlier in November, a leaked video had showcased early gameplay footage, revealing time-based abilities like freezing time and highlighting the game’s parkour mechanics. Responding to the leak, Ubisoft clarified the footage came from a 2024 pitch deck, stating the game had changed a lot since then. The gaming giant expressed excitement over the game’s reveal next year, further lending credit to the recent rumors. 

As per its latest financial report, a January release window would align with Ubisoft’s plans to release up to four titles by the end of the fiscal year, which falls on March 31. The Sands of Time remake may join a roster of games comprising Rainbow Six Mobile, The Division Resurgence, and a yet-to-be-announced title. Given this tight deadline, it would seem plausible that the highly-anticipated remake could make an appearance at The Game Awards. 

As we’re nearing the prestigious awards ceremony, leaks have begun to emerge as to what games will and won’t be shown. As of writing, sci-fi RPG Exodus remains one of the only confirmed titles. It was first unveiled two years ago during the biggest night in gaming, introduced by none other than Interstellar’s Matthew McConaughey, who lends his voice to one of the characters. Scheduled on December 11, the event hosted by Geoff Keighley could also see the reveal of a Silent Hill 1 remake, alongside date reveals for two of Capcom’s biggest upcoming titles, sci-fi action adventure Pragmata and samurai action game Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the first mainline instalment in the emblematic series since 2006. 

As for Ubisoft, promoting the Prince of Persia remake at TGA 2025 would be an effective way to put the game in front of as many viewers as possible, as countless gamers only tune in to the livestreamed ceremony not to miss its big game reveals. That said, there is no solid indication the publisher won’t begin its marketing push with a straightforward trailer drop on YouTube, although a shadow drop would make little sense if Ubisoft intends to open pre-orders before Christmas.

At any rate, this reveal could herald a fantastic start of the year for gamers. Hailed as one of the best debut games in history, Prince of Persia has inspired numerous spiritual successors, including Assassin’s Creed. Jordan Mechner’s cinematic platformer spawned just as many clones as iGaming adaptations. Fans of online gambling can find many Persian-infused slots online, such as Persian Glory and Gold of Persia. New players can take advantage of sign-up offers upon registration. Rewards like no-deposit bonuses and free spins allow them to explore a website’s lobby risk-free. But newcomers may also try free slots without registering or downloading anything. 

For a time, the Prince of Persia series appeared to be past its prime. Still, many retrogamers continued to return to the 1989 original to experience its epic adventure through medieval Iran, while nostalgic players kept coming back to the Sands of Time reboot that put the franchise back on the mainstream gaming map. Last year, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown showed that the dormant series could still make an impact on the gaming scene. 

Earning an 86 score on Metacritic, this well-balanced adventure checked all the boxes of a Metroidvania done right with its creative levels and ingenious combat mechanics. With its upcoming remake, Ubisoft certainly hopes to replicate its success, and recover from the string of failures that tarnished its 2024 gaming line-up.