The challenge with controlling the differentiation of human pluripotent cells to generate functional dopaminergic neurons for the treatment of Parkinson's disease has undergone significant progress in recent years. Here, we summarize the differences between newer and older protocols for generating midbrain dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells, and we highlight the importance of following developmental pathways during differentiation. The field has now developed to a point where it is timely to take human pluripotent stem cells one step closer to clinical use, and cell criteria to be fulfilled for such developments are outlined in this review.