As Nintendo’s September Game Trial opens up Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown to subscribers of its online service, gaming media outlet IGN is offering fans a temporary window to access its full suite of walkthroughs, interactive maps, and completion checklists without any subscription. From September 24th until September 30th, 2026, IGN is making its normally premium progress-tracking tools completely free, allowing players to make the most of the trial period while their Nintendo Switch Online membership grants access to the Metroidvania-style platformer.
The move comes at a time when the game’s extensive level design invites players to chase down every collectible, upgrade, and hidden area. IGN’s guides are built around the goal of 100% completion, pairing detailed walkthrough prose with visual aids such as screenshots of tricky platforming sections and map images that flag missable content. The outlet is positioning these resources as a companion to the trial itself, so players can explore the game’s full depth without the pressure of missing out on rare items.
Tracking Progress Without Backtracking
The core of IGN’s offering lies in its interactive map and checklist system, which the company says is designed to eliminate the frustration of wandering past hidden walls or forgetting to grab a collectible. Players can place unlimited map markers and toggle checkmarks to record which items they have already picked up, all while playing through the game.
According to IGN, the interactive map is fully integrated with its walkthrough guides, meaning that any collectible a player checks off on the map automatically syncs with the corresponding checklist. This seamless integration is meant to let players switch between the two tools without ever having to pause and wonder whether they overlooked something along the way.
There are few things more frustrating than needing to backtrack while playing a platformer, particularly one with a map as extensive as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Don’t waste time missing out on collectibles or waltzing past hidden walls.
IGN Guides Team
For players who prefer a more visual approach over written instructions, IGN’s interactive map is populated with hundreds of marked locations for collectibles, upgrades, quests, and more. The outlet is also pointing fans toward several focused guides, including listings for all Amulet Locations, all Sand Jar Locations, and all Treasure Locations, each tailored to help players methodically work through the game’s content.
What Players Can Expect
The free access is framed as a limited-time opportunity tied directly to the trial window. IGN is encouraging players to make use of the checklists and maps precisely because their Nintendo Switch Online membership is granting them access to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown during this period. The guides are presented as a way to extract maximum value from the trial, ensuring that players who dip into the game can still complete it thoroughly rather than leaving collectibles behind.
IGN’s Guides Checklists Editor, Shailyn Cotten, oversees the checklist database for a number of the outlet’s most popular game guides. Her team manages the integration between the interactive maps and the underlying checklist data, ensuring that the syncing between the two systems functions smoothly for players navigating the game’s sprawling levels.
Looking Ahead
Once the September Game Trial closes on September 30th, 2026, IGN’s full checklists, map markers, and walkthrough features will return to their standard subscription model, with the interactive map and unlimited checkmarks reserved for IGN Plus members. For now, the free window is designed to give players a taste of the complete guide experience while they explore the game through their trial membership.
Players interested in the resources can head to IGN’s dedicated Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown interactive map and guides page, which houses the walkthrough, the interactive map, and the individual collectible guides. IGN’s approach reflects a broader trend of gaming media outlets offering free, temporary access to premium tools during promotional windows, aiming to support players as they engage with newly available titles.
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