Space Harrier

n/a

Space Harrier

System(s): Sega Space Harrier Hardware, Acorn Electron, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, Game Gear, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, Nintendo Famicom, Sega 32X, Sega Master System, Sharp MZ, Sharp X1, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16, Virtual Console, ZX Spectrum

Publisher:

Sega,

Dempa,

Elite Systems,

Mindscape (US),

Takara,

NEC

Developer:

Sega AM2,

Sega,

Dempa,

Elite

Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1989	¥?	?

ESRB

Sega

PEGI

OFLC

CERO
Missing Parameter!

Space Harrier (スペースハリアー) is a rail shoot 'em up game developed by Yu Suzuki and Sega AM2 which makes use of Super Scaler technology. It is one of many A-list arcade games developed by Sega during the 1980s, placing Sega firmly on the map and inspiring numerous sequels, starting with Space Harrier 3D.

In Space Harrier the player controls a blonde haired man with a jetpack and laser shooting at various objects and enemies while making sure not to get hit. There are 18 levels, each with a boss at the end, excluding the 5th and 12th levels which are bonus stages, and the 18th which is essentially a boss rush. The game has a third person perspective, making it one of the first "rail shooters" to be conceived.

Space Harrier and its sequels are set in the "Fantasy Zone", the same setting as the arcade game with the same name. This relationship was explored further with the Sharp X68000 port of Fantasy Zone, which includes a Space Harrier level, and the cancelled TurbografX-16 title Space Fantasy Zone, which was a hybrid between the two games.

Ports and Rereleases

File:SpaceHarrier PC6001.png

Space Harrier has been ported to over 20 different home systems, including those not cut out for such complex games. This is the NEC PC-6001 version.

Space Harrier is currently the most ported Sega game in history, being released for numerous home computers and consoles including the Acorn Electron, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, Nintendo Famicom, Sega 32X, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Sharp MZ, Sharp X1, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum. It has also been included in numerous compilations, including the Game Boy Advance's Sega Arcade Gallery, the PlayStation 2's Sega Classics Collection and the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360's Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection. A remake and port was also released in Japan under the Sega Ages 2500 label.

The Sega Master System port was handled by Sega AM4, featuring a final boss which was absent from the Arcade version. This version went on to inspire the exclusive Space Harrier 3D, and was one of the most popular games for the system during its lifespan. Most of the western computer ports were handled by Elite, and, like the Master System game, had to sacrifice the smooth scaling and framerate due to weaker hardware. The Japanese-only X68000 version would the only home copy of Space Harrier to feature perfect scaling until a Sega 32X port showed up in 1994, and later a Sega Saturn port (Sega Ages Vol.2 Space Harrier in 1996). Surprisingly the game was ported to extremely weak hardware such as the NEC-6001 and Sharp MZ computers, forcing the developers to reduce most of the graphics to coloured squares. Despite this, the digitized voices often remained in the game.

Space Harrier was even ported to the Nintendo Famicom by Takara, despite the console being in direct competition with Sega's Master System at the time. Squaresoft's The NES game The 3D Battles of WorldRunner is often considered to have been heavily inspired by Space Harrier also.

The game was included as a minigame in both Shenmue and Shenmue II, and more recently the Master System version of the game was made available via the Wii's Virtual Console service in 2008, followed by a Virtual Console Arcade release a year later.

Production Credits

Master System Version

PC Unit

Directed by: Berial Mut 743
Produced by: Nitta Tai Yuji
Screenplay by: Nitta Tai Yuji, Berial Mut 743, Tamo, Koshihikari
Story by: Berial Mut 743
Editor: Tamo, Koshihikari
Art Director: Fuuuuuk
Art Designer: Mayu, Col Khadafy, Matilda Yoko, Sukeban Tamun, 3712 SK
Music Arranger: Bo
Proposed by: Nitta Tai Yuji
Special Thanks: Arcade Unit, Yu, Cota, Hiro, Bin Chan, Chisuke, Eiro, Pideshi, Kan, Shy Guy Aso, Sant
Present from: Sega

Amiga Version

Program: Richard Frankish
Graphics: M Sportouch
Music: Jas C Brooke
Copyright 1989 Elite Systems Ltd

PC-8801 Version

Main Program: Kazuhisa Ishida
Sub Program: Kazuhisa Ishida
Sound: Kazuhisa Ishida
Music: Kazuhisa Ishida
Data: Kazuhisa Ishida
Art: Kazuhisa Ishida
Special Thanks to: Kenji Komiyama, Naniwa San/Dempa, KSK (KURE Soft)
USED Computers: NEC PC-8001mk2SR (Program), NEC PC-88YA (TEST Play)
Musicians of Programming BGM: Seiko Matsuda/Candies, Mako Ishino/Takako Ohta, Himekami Sensation
Copyright 1985 Sega(R)
Copyright 1988 Dempa/K.Ishida

Sharp X1 Version

Main Program: K. Komiyama
Character Arrange: K. Komiyama
Sound Arrange: K. Komiyama
Other Data: K. Komiyama
Special Thanks: K. Ishida, Naniwa/Dempa
Used Machine: CZ-802C, PC-8801MK2MR

Sharp X6800 Version

Main Programmer: T. Matsushima
Music Driver: Masatoshi Yoshizawa
Music Editor: Yu-You
Sound Effector: YK-2, Yu-You, T. Matsushima
Graphic Coding: T. Matsushima
Management: Taro Tada
Test Player: Ichiro Tezuka, Akira Yamashita, Akira Hibiki, Exchanger
Special Thanks To: Bridal Naniwa, Tomoko Ohtsuka, Sega Research and Development Dept.
Dempa Micom Soft
Sega - Space Harrier - X 68000

32X Version

Reprogrammed By: Rutubo Games
Programmer and Planner: M.Hashimoto (Rutubo Games), S.Mukaigashira (Rutubo Games), K.Tsuneyoshi (Rutubo Games), T.Matsushima (Rutubo Games), M.Mishima (Rutubo Games)
Thanks: Y.Kenji (Rutubo Games), T.Maeda (Rutubo Games)
Special Thanks: M.Shigeta, H.Aso, O.Sato, Y.Ohoka, S.Yonekura, H.Lee, K.Hayashida
Presented by: Sega Enterprises Ltd.

Manuals

32X Version

JP Manual ^(info) ("Spaceharrier 32x jp manual.cbr" does not exist)

Gallery

Artwork

Rolling Cabinet
Sit-Down Cabinet
Upright Cabinet

Physical Scans

Arcade Version

Template:Scanflyer Template:Scanflyer

32X Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

73

^[1]

CD Consoles (FR)

32

^[2]

Consoles + (FR)

NTSC

70

^[3]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

68

^[4]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

78

^[5]

Games World: The Magazine (UK)

PAL

55

^[6]

Joypad (FR)

PAL

72

^[7]

MAN!AC (DE)

PAL

68

^[8]

Mega (UK)

PAL

82

^[9]

Mega Fun (DE)

NTSC-U

35

^[10]

Mega Play (US)

NTSC-U

57

^[11]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

49

^[12]

Player One (FR)

77

^[13]

Play Time (DE)

PAL

64

^[14]

Power Up! (UK)

76

^[15]

Saturn Fan (JP)

NTSC-J

77

^[16]

Score (CZ)

60

^[17]

Sega Magazine (UK)

PAL

70

^[18]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

83

^[19]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

67

^[20]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

43

^[21]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

91

^[22]

Super Juegos (ES)

86

^[23]

Todo Sega (ES)

68

^[24]

Ultimate Future Games (UK)

PAL

71

^[25]

Video Games (DE)

PAL

47

^[26]

VideoGames (US)

60

^[27]

	66
Based on 27 reviews

Space Harrier

32X, US
Cover
Cart

32X, EU
Cover
Cart

32X, JP
Cover
Cart

32X, Asia

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

78

^[28]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

77

^[29]

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

PAL

77

^[30]

Computer Action (DK)

100

^[31]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

84

^[32]

The Games Machine (IT)

92

^[33]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

80

^[34]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

77

^[35]

Power Play (DE)

60

^[36]

S: The Sega Magazine (UK)

PAL

82

^[37]

Score (CZ)

60

^[17]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

75

^[38]

Sega Pro (UK)

87

^[39]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

84

^[40]

Soft (DK)

80

^[41]

Tilt (FR)

80

^[42]

	80
Based on 16 reviews

Space Harrier

Master System, US
Cover
Cart

Master System, EU ® variant
Cover

Master System, EU "no limits" variant
Cover
Cart

Master System, JP
Cover
Cart

Master System, TW

Cart

Master System, KR

Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Ação Games (BR)

100

^[43]

Beep! MegaDrive (JP)

NTSC-J

58

^[44]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

64

^[45]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

46

^[46]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

63

^[47]

Famitsu (JP)

NTSC-J

55

^[48]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

72

^[49]

Génération 4 (FR)

79

^[50]

Hippon Super (JP)

NTSC-J

50

^[51]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

87

^[52]

Joystick (FR)

90

^[53]

Mega Force (FR)

PAL

65

^[54]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

55

^[55]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

63

^[56]

Player One (FR)

80

^[57]

Play Time (DE)

83

^[58]

Sega Power (UK)

86

^[59]

Sega Pro (UK)

71

^[60]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

71

^[61]

Sega Force Mega (UK)

92

^[62]

Sega Force (UK)

PAL

92

^[63]

Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)

NTSC-J

65

^[64]

User (GR)

PAL

76

^[65]

Video Games (DE)

63

^[66]

	72
Based on 24 reviews

Space Harrier

Game Gear, US
Cover

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, JP
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, BR
Cover
Cart

Amiga Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

Amiga, US
Cover

Amiga, EU
Cover

Amstrad CPC Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

Amstrad CPC, EU (Disk)
Cover
Disk Disk (back)

Amstrad CPC, EU (Cassette)
Cover
Cassette

Amstrad CPC, EU (Cassette) (Encore)
Cover

Amstrad CPC, ES (Disk)
Cover
Disk Disk (back)

Amstrad CPC, ES (Cassette) (MCM)
Cover

Atari ST Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

Atari ST, US
Cover
Disk 1 Disk 2

Atari ST, EU

Commodore 64 Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

Commodore 64, US
Cover

Commodore 64, EU (Cassette)
Cover
Cassette

Commodore 64, EU (Disk)

DOS Version

DOS, US

FM77 AV Version

FM77 AV, JP
Cover

NEC PC-6001 Version

NEC PC-6001, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px Cover

NEC PC-8801 Version

NEC PC-8801, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px Cover

NES Version

NES, JP
Cover
Cart

Sharp MZ Version

Sharp MZ, JP

Sharp X1 Version

Sharp X1, JP
Cover

Sharp X68000 Version

Sharp X68000, JP
Cover

Turbografx-16 Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

TurboGrafx-16, US
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px Cover
50x50px Cart

TurboGrafx-16, JP
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x80px Cover
50x50px Cart

ZX Spectrum Version

Sega Retro Average

Publication	Version	Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Space Harrier

ZX Spectrum, EU
Cover

ZX Spectrum, EU (Encore)
Cover

ZX Spectrum, ES
Cover

ZX Spectrum, ES (MCM)
Cover

External Links

Sega of Japan Virtual Console pages: Master System, Arcade

Space Harrier series
Space Harrier (JP home computers \| Elite versions \| Sega Ages Vol. 2 \| mobile \| 3D) (1986) \| Space Harrier 3D (1988) \| Space Harrier II (Electronic) (1988) \| Planet Harriers (2001) \| Typing Space Harrier (2002) \| Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 4: Space Harrier (2003)
Albums
Yu Suzuki Produce Hang On/Space Harrier (1997) \| Planet Harriers The Original Soundtrack (2001) \| Space Harrier II: Space Harrier Complete Collection Original Soundtrack (2005)
Other Media
Space Harrier (video) (1987) \| Space Harrier: White Dragon no Yuusha (1988)

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1995-01.pdf_p26-1] Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1995" (JP; 1994-12-08), page 26

[:File:CDConsoles_FR_05.pdf_p118-2] CD Consoles, "Mars 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 118

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_041.pdf_p104-3] Consoles +, "Mars 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 104

[4] Famitsu, "1994-12-09" (JP; 1994-11-25), page 39

[:File:GamePro_US_069.pdf_p60-5] GamePro, "April 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 60

[:File:Games_World_The_Magazine_UK_09.pdf_p13-6] Games World: The Magazine, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-26), page 13

[:File:Joypad_FR_040.pdf_p79-7] Joypad, "Mars 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 79

[:File:MAN.21AC_DE_1995-02.pdf_p44-8] MAN!AC, "02/95" (DE; 1995-01-11), page 44

[:File:Mega_UK_27.pdf_p30-9] Mega, "December 1994" (UK; 1994-11-30), page 30

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1995-02.pdf_p105-10] Mega Fun, "02/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 105

[:File:MegaPlay_US_0601.pdf_p49-11] Mega Play, "February/March 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 49

[:File:MeanMachinesSega29UK.pdf_p88-12] Mean Machines Sega, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-30), page 88

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_051.pdf_p104-13] Player One, "Mars 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 104

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1995-02.pdf_p104-14] Play Time, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-04), page 104

[15] Power Up!, "Saturday, April 22, 1995" (UK; 1995-04-22), page 1

[:File:SaturnFan_JP_1995-02_19950215.pdf_p34-16] Saturn Fan, "1995 February" (JP; 1995-01-07), page 34

[:File:Score_CZ_16.pdf_p46-17] 17.0 ^17.1 Score, "Duben 1995" (CZ; 1995-04-01), page 46

[:File:SegaMagazine_UK_13.pdf_p86-18] Sega Magazine, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 86

[:File:SegaPower_UK_63.pdf_p58-19] Sega Power, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-15), page 58

[:File:SegaPro_UK_56.pdf_p27-20] Sega Pro, "April 1996" (UK; 1996-02-28), page 27

[:File:SegaPro_UK_41.pdf_p67-21] Sega Pro, "February 1995" (UK; 1994-12-29), page 67

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p84-22] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 84

[:File:SuperJuegos_ES_033.pdf_p54-23] Super Juegos, "Enero 1995" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 54

[:File:TodoSega_ES_23.pdf_p35-24] Todo Sega, "Febrero 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 35

[:File:UltimateFutureGames_UK_03.pdf_p86-25] Ultimate Future Games, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-01), page 86

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1995-02.pdf_p91-26] Video Games, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 91

[:File:VideoGames_US_74.pdf_p65-27] VideoGames, "March 1995" (US; 1995-02-xx), page 65

[:File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf_p71-28] Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 71

[:File:CGtC_UK_04.pdf_p107-29] Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 107

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p62-30] The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 62

[:File:ComputerAction_DK_01.pdf_p34-31] Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p145-32] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 145

[:File:TheGamesMachine_IT_001.pdf_p62-33] The Games Machine, "Settembre 1988" (IT; 1988-09-15), page 62

[:File:Micromania2_ES_024.pdf_p66-34] Micromanía (segunda época), "Mayo 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 66

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p136-35] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136

[:File:PowerPlay_DE_001.pdf_p97-36] Power Play, "Ausgabe 1" (DE; 1987-11-27), page 97

[:File:StheSegaMagazine_UK_05.pdf_p9-37] S: The Sega Magazine, "April 1990" (UK; 1990-03-01), page 9

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p59-38] Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59

[:File:SegaPro_UK_06.pdf_p29-39] Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 29

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p72-40] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72

[:File:Soft_DK_1988-2.pdf_p31-41] Soft, "" (DK; 1988-02-18), page 31

[:File:Tilt_FR_049.pdf_p106-42] Tilt, "Décembre 1987" (FR; 1987-1x-xx), page 106

[:File:AcaoGames_BR_010.pdf_p42-43] Ação Games, "Fevereiro 1992" (BR; 1992-02-xx), page 42

[:File:BeepMD_JP_1991-12.pdf_p40-44] Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-08), page 40

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p149-45] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 149

[:File:Go_UK_06.pdf_p8-46] Computer & Video Games, "April 1992 (Go! Issue 6)" (UK; 1992-03-15), page 8

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p170-47] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 170

[:File:Famitsu_JP_0156.pdf_p40-48] Famitsu, "1991-12-13" (JP; 1991-11-29), page 40

[:File:GamePro_US_029.pdf_p126-49] GamePro, "December 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 126

[:File:Generation4_FR_040.pdf_p155-50] Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 155

[51] Hippon Super, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-04), page 93

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_003.pdf_p50-52] Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 50

[:File:Joystick_FR_023.pdf_p144-53] Joystick, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 144

[:File:MegaForce_FR_04.pdf_p44-54] Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 44

[:File:Micromania2_ES_046.pdf_p35-55] Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 35

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p143-56] Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_017.pdf_p80-57] Player One, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 80

[:File:PlayTime_DE_1992-04.pdf_p84-58] Play Time, "4/92" (DE; 1992-03-04), page 84

[:File:SegaPower_UK_30.pdf_p47-59] Sega Power, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-02), page 47

[:File:SegaPro_UK_05.pdf_p59-60] Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 59

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p74-61] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74

[:File:SegaForceMega_UK_07.pdf_p78-62] Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 78

[:File:SegaForce_UK_03.pdf_p54-63] Sega Force, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 54

[:File:SSM_JP_19950901_1995-09.pdf_p88-64] Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88

[:File:User_GR_30.pdf_p66-65] User, "Noémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-1x-xx), page 66

[:File:VideoGames_DE_1992-06.pdf_p123-66] Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 123

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Space Harrier

From Sega Retro

Contents

Ports and Rereleases

Production Credits

Master System Version

Amiga Version

PC-8801 Version

Sharp X1 Version

Sharp X6800 Version

32X Version

Manuals

32X Version

Gallery

Artwork

Physical Scans

Arcade Version

32X Version

Master System Version

Game Gear Version

Amiga Version

Amstrad CPC Version

Atari ST Version

Commodore 64 Version

DOS Version

FM77 AV Version

NEC PC-6001 Version

NEC PC-8801 Version

NES Version

Sharp MZ Version

Sharp X1 Version

Sharp X68000 Version

Turbografx-16 Version

ZX Spectrum Version

External Links