Space Harrier

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a game by Sega, and AM R&D Dept.
Genres: Flying, Shooting Games, 32x
Platforms: PC Engine (1988), Sega GenesisGenesis, Sega Master SystemSega Master System, GameGear
Editor Rating: 5.9/10, based on 7 reviews
User Rating: 7.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: Relaxing Games, Space Harrier Games
Space Harrier
Space Harrier
Space Harrier
Space Harrier

Peaceful Dragon Land has been invaded once again by abominable alien creatures. You become the mighty Space Harrier a' la the Game Gear to avenge the peaceful denizens of Dragon Land.

Space Harrier's claims to fame have always been its top-notch 3-D graphics, and its non-stop, behind-the-back, forward scrolling shoot-em-up action. Both of these features are faithfully reproduced in this remarkable little Game Gear version.

Digitized voice (including the agonized scream that the Harrier makes when he runs into a tree) add to the realistic effects.

The game has 12 levels of game-play, including bonus rounds. In each level the Space Harrier runs or flies towards the horizon as alien monsters fly at him. The Harrier has to blast them out of the skies or dodge them, always keeping an eye out to avoid running into the odd tree or column.

This Game Gear translation of the popular title works because it hangs on to the formula that has made this game an arcade and now a multi-system classic. As the Space Harrier always says, "Get Ready!"

ProTips:

  • You can tell if you've hit your enemies by listening for the "clink" sound your shots make when they hit home.
  • Most enemy bosses fire first and then move in a predictable pattern on the screen. Dodge their shots and then blast them as many times as you can until they begin to fire again. You can tell how you're doing by watching for the color changes in the boss that indicate you're scoring hits.
  • Your best defense and offense is to rotate in a circular pattern around the perimeter of the screen.

Download Space Harrier

PC Engine

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

Sega Master System

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
GameGear

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Space Harrier is old news to most players, but this 32X version is one of the best home versions of the game to date.

Don't Get Harried

As the last of the Sentinels of Dragonland, Harri must shoot his way through more than 15 stages of arcade-style action. Space Harrier was one of the first shooters to use a first-person perspective, and the familiar view's back in this version.

No surprises in the gameplay-just dodge obstacles and shoot everything before it shoots or hits you. As in the original, each hit you take counts as a 'Try." Depending on the difficulty setting, you get different numbers of lives and Tries.

ProTips:

  • To battle the dragon at the end of Stage 1, shoot him in the head while you dodge the fire he spits. After he turns red, it takes just one more hit to destroy him.
  • Keep moving constantly so you're harder to hit.

Harrier's controls are straightforward and simple: one button to shoot and the control pad to maneuver. In comparison with 16-bit versions of the game, there's no slowdown or sprite flicker, and the action is quick and precise.

Space Ace

Space Harrier's graphics and sounds are both solid. The graphics are closer to the original arcade game than prior versions. Bright, fluorescent colors and crisp sprites create vivid action. The tunes are unremarkable, but they're a good backdrop for the action.

Space Harrier's an old game, but this latest version is close enough to the arcade classic to make it a nice trip down memory lane for players who love the game. If you've never seen the game before, by all means take this Harrier for a test flight.

Use the stone to defeat many of the bosses. Shoot this two-headed dragon in both heads until it explodes.

Journey to the Fantasy Zone once again in the TurboGrafx version of the classic Sega shooter. For those who are unfamiliar with the Space Harrier saga, you command a fighter who has the ability to travel on the ground or in the air, fighting deadly opponents with a powerful blaster. Each round is made up of varied hazards that climax with a furious battle against a different Boss character (Dragons, etc.). Bonus rounds expand the play more.

People say:

5.0

This version of Space Harrier is just as good as anything available before, in fact it's better in many ways. The action is very fast-paced, and the enemies attack with an intense ferocity. The angle of the screen makes it slightly awkward at ground level, but all-in-all this is a good effort.

7.0

NEC has a great translation of this fast-moving shooter, but who cares? It's old, everybody has played it already, and its uniqueness has worn off. Now it's only average.

5.0

Let me start off by saying that although Space Harrier is a good game, it's not as graphically impressive as other versions. It basically has the same game play and theme, however, and should satisfy any Turbo owners who want a little Sega arcade action in their diets.

5.0

Here comes Space Harrier again. I don't have anything against the Turbo version, it's the best yet, but I'm sick of Space Harrier. If you like to move around the screen and continuously shoot then you'll love this.

Space Harrier is a welcome addition to the TurboGrafx library - and a somewhat odd addition, too, since it's originally a Sega arcade game. Space Harrier has long been available for the Sega Master System, and Space Harrier II was recently released for the Sega Genesis. The TurboGrafx version of Space Harrier surpasses the Master System version, but frankly is not as graphically impressive as Space Harrier II. In terms of game play, however, it's a winner.

Space Harrier's outstanding feature is its point of view. Unlike many games in which you move across the screen from left to right or up and down, in Space Harrier you move into the screen. That is, you see your character moving forward over a simulated 3-D landscape, much like a driving game. With all kinds of things coming at you from a distance, gradually increasing in size as they approach, this point of view lends a feeling of excitement to an action game that no other viewpoint can match.

There are 18 levels in Space Harrier, with levels 5 and 12 offering bonus points. On the other 16 levels you must fight your way through a series of bug eyes, stone faces, hydras, robots, devil cubes, mammoths, and other destructive nasties. At the end of each level you must face an enemy "boss" who's just waiting to rip you to shreds. You have to get through all 18 levels if you hope to save Dragon Land from extermination, and doing so will demand all your wits.

You begin the game with three jet-packs called harriers, and you receive a fourth jet-pack at 500,000 points. You can either run along the ground or, with the aid of the harriers, fly through the air. The game ends when you lose all your harriers. If you're new to this game, don't expect to get very far at first.

Space Harrier is fast and furious. One of the easiest to play of all videogames, it is also one of the toughest to win.

  • Manufacturer: Sega
  • Machine: SMS

Sega says that you can get nine continues past the three that are documented in the instruction booklet, but it is extremely hard to accomplish. When the Game Over screen comes up, don't hit either No. 1 or No. 2 but enter the following sequence:

U U D D L R L R D U D U

When you hit the last U, if the sequence worked, you'll start up where you lost your last life.

  • Manufacturer: Sega
  • Machine: SMS

Brooklyn Park, Montana's Jamie Mohr says that you can enter the sound-test screen by moving your controller R, L, D then U. Also, if you enter the numbers 7-4-3-7-4-8-1 (hitting the #1 button after each), your on-screen character will change to a jet! Actually, you can vary other parts of the game from this menu also. Strange but true! Thanks, Jamie!

This popular Genesis title has been added to the Game Gear library. Blow away the aliens who are coming out at you in this great 3-D shooter.

Snapshots and Media

PC Engine Screenshots

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

Sega Master System Screenshots

GameGear Screenshots

See Also

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