Space Harrier

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[7001] - published by SEGA. Average Reader Rating: 8.25

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A great game, but of course not as good as its arcade equivalent. For a more realistic feel, be sure to check out Space Harrier 3D!

 


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2023-07-07
From: Paul   (
more)
Comments: There was a Space Harrier II for the Mega Drive/Genesis, but it lacked the narrative heft of the original. Character development left much to be desired, something that was one of the real strengths of the original, especially in its arcade form. The final boss was a dog-like creature, but it looked like a poodle and it wasn't even that big. Like maybe the size of a smallish horse, which might be big for a dog, but it's small for a Space Harrier boss. They named it Buddy, too, which undermined any sense of menace. Speaking of names, the titular Space Harrier character was, for some reason, renamed Donnie Watson and given a backstory somewhat reminiscent of that shitty movie The Last Starfighter, i.e. that he was some kid recruited by means of a video game placed by some alien intelligence to fight its enemies. And from Peoria, Illinois, no less. Odd choices from Sega.

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2012-08-24
From: BluBlaDe   (
more)
Comments: I prefers the 3 D badass version

Rating: n/a

2012-03-05
From: Josh   (
more)
Comments: One of the all-time greats, and one of my all-time favorites. Sure, the story is practically non-existent and what there is of one doesn't make the least bit of fucking sense, but shit, it ain't a novel, it's a stupid video game.

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2012-01-20
From: BluBlade   (
more)
Comments: Wow a mammoth cyclop

Rating: n/a

2011-09-25
From: Danny   (
more)
Comments: About all you could ask for in an 8-bit conversion of the arcade classic. I only wish these games had unlimited continues, as expensive as they were to buy for our poor parents, it would have been nice to see the end of more of them.

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2011-05-10
From: Brad   (
more)
Comments: How come the title screen shows Space Harrier and the one-eyed mammoth and robot dude getting along so well when, in the actual game, he shoots those fuckers on sight? Weird. Great game, though.

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2011-04-15
From: Paul   (
more)
Comments: The first time I played Space Harrier I ended up shitting my pants. Luckily, though, it was the arcade version and I only stunk up a pizza parlor.

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2010-08-16
From: Rockstar3F09   (
more)
Comments: If you have a dreamcast and Shenmue that is good because Space Harrier is in there on Arcade form and Sega Saturn form. The Arcade form is easy to find but the Saturn form you have to get food and draw a ticket. If its number 2 you can get Sega Saturn games but its only Space Harrier and Hang On. Choose one and choose the other one next time and sure Ryo Hazuki has a Sega Saturn. That is how you get Hang On and Space Harrier in Sega Saturn form. The End.

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2009-12-19
From: DeathAdder X   (
more)
Comments: The game of games. I really don't understand why people put down this amazing port of space harrier; either because they're bias towards nintendos craptacular "3d world runner" or they just suck a videogames in general so they would just naturally at an intense and difficult game like this. The graphics are amazing, and each level displays a substantial amount of colour. The sounds are pretty minimal, but the music is simply memorable and incredibly catchy. The controls are spot on and react great. And it's very difficult to beat, so the replay value is through the roof. All in All, amazing game and easily a 10

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2009-08-20
From:
AlphaKennyOne89  (more)
Comments: I beat this game using the continue code for 9 continues from gamefaqs.com! Hooray! I didn't even use the continue code from the instruction book that gives you 3 continues.

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2009-02-17
From: gilbert   (
more)
Comments: I bought this game box, manual and all, but when i popped it into my system it was hang on/safari hunt. What the heck?! I don't get it do I have some ultra rare screw up? or did sega make a lot of labeling mistakes? Is it worth more now or did I just get screwed?

Rating: n/a

2008-06-12
From: Swift   (
more)
Comments: Aaargh, one of the most frustrating games I ever played on the Master System. Mt nephew and myself still laugh about this game. "aaaaaa....get ready ! "

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2008-06-12
From:
Roger Paul Brow  (more)
Comments: aNYONE GOT TYPING SPACE HARRIER FOR PC?

Rating: n/a

2007-08-03
From: orm and cheep   (
more)
Comments: an arcade machine running on a Master System!!!!!...

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2006-11-11
From: StringAnime.com   (
more)
Comments: I Agree with "Ancient Game Gu" I saw both the Arcade and Home SMS Space Harriers Beaten. And it is sad to see such am awesomely scary(I was a kid when I saw it)Double Fire Dragon last boss for the Home system and not hear anyone giving Credit to the Game for having it. Me thinks we are a wee bit spoiled of graghics and loosing respect for substance. Eh.. so as the world is.

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2006-11-11
From: Ancient Game Gu   (
more)
Comments: I STRONGLY disagree with the editorial comment. The SMS Version is actually BETTER than the Arcade version, especially if you beat the SMS version first. WHY? The arcade version does not include the final boss from the SMS cart; Hiya-oh the awesome and tough-as-nails twin flaming dragons, and ends very lamely. I felt ripped off.

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2006-08-28
From: Ro   (
more)
Comments: YAHOO! I finally found this game at an East Coast Gaming expo yesterday.

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2006-05-23
From: Sam   (
more)
Comments: This game is good fun, i havent yet completed it yet though.

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2006-05-15
From: Butters   (
more)
Comments: Pretty good translation of the arcade classic. Kind of a weird premise though. I guess you could say that about most video games.

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2006-04-03
From: Stimie   (
more)
Comments: More like Gayboy in Moonwalker I loved the song Hot Shot City

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2006-03-23
From: Deathaddder X   (
more)
Comments: There's one thing you should know about sms game reviews, don't go to that god forsaken videogame critic for a good review because he obviously was a nintendo kid. He said the mega drive couldn't even pull off space harrier but here I stand before you saying that these two versions of space harrier on sms are my favourite. The Graphics are nice,the sfx are o.k., but the music is memorable(if you're familiar with space harrier), I played it again for the first time in five years with my dad a 65 year old man (I being 28) and we enjoyed the same way we did almost 20 years ago, this game is a legend!

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2006-03-19
From: the cloudmaster   (
more)
Comments: one of the best

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2006-02-26
From: Josh   (
more)
Comments: It was good. The motion was not very fluid, but it was fun to play.

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2006-02-21
From: SMS Harrier   (
more)
Comments: There is no way this could score below 10, Space Harrier is an awesome game and very rewarding to play through. Amazing bosses, terriffic enemies, excellent bonus stages, blindingly fast covered levels and the best music score ever make this the best arcade conversion for the SMS and amazing fun to play again and again.

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2005-04-06
From: Rjohnson   (
more)
Comments: I own Space Harrier for the Sega master system, the 32X and on an emulator for the PC. The PC emulator version is the best version. I just bought Space Harrier II for the Genesis on EBAY. I hope it's as good as the original.

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2005-02-04
From:
sanaa  (more)
Comments:

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2004-08-23
From: brandon   (
more)
Comments: this game can have you playing for hours

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2004-08-07
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: I just got Space Harrier II for my Sega Genesis. Best of all, like this game, you only need one button! I played it and screamed "SEGA!"

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2004-05-31
From:
Kamles Jatav  (more)
Comments: Andhi Lungri & Gunji 3 women were sitting on a bench.One was Andhi, The second one was Lungri & the last was Gunji. Andhi : WOH DEKHO SAMNEY DARAKHT PER PHOOL LAGA HUA HAI!!! Lungri : MAIN BHAAG KER JAA KER LE ATI HOON!!! Gunji : HAAN AUR MAIN APNEY SAR MAIN LAGA LOON GI!!!

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2004-04-05
From:
Yo PigNet  (more)
Comments: My mom almost beat it a few times, and that was about ten years ago...I think I got to level 12 or 13. The hamster thing is weird. I wonder how the dude flies.

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2004-03-14
From:
Gerald  (more)
Comments: This is one of the greatest Arcade games ever.

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2004-03-14
From:
Gerald  (more)
Comments: This is one of the greatest Arcade games ever.

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2004-03-14
From:
Gerald  (more)
Comments: This is one of the greatest Arcade games ever.

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2004-01-20
From: camel   (
more)
Comments: Yes, the game can be beaten. I completed the SMS version when I had an SMS and I have also completed the SMS eumalated verion on the PC

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2003-11-20
From:
Ralph  (more)
Comments: Never got into it much back in the day but I think when Sega redid this game they redid it as Panzer Dragoon.

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2003-10-08
From: huh?   (
more)
Comments: what?

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2003-09-09
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: I just hope that this game hits the US shores for the PlayStation 2.

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2003-07-29
From: shirly   (
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Comments:

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2003-07-12
From: bytal   (
more)
Comments: ya this game was a classic for me.. though, not quite as memorable as wonder boy in monster land...

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2003-06-20
From: JJ   (
more)
Comments: I was able to get to the final boss back in the day, fiery dude or something, but never beat him. Now with emulators and roms, I was able to beat it easy by using save states. Definately a classic, I think I played this game more than any other SMS game I had. Sega is supposed to be making a remake of this game and many other old Arcade/SMS titles for the PS2, and will be calling them the "Sega Ages" collection or something like that.

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2003-06-20
From: LaFemmeVelveeta   (
more)
Comments: This was as good an arcade translation as could be expected at the time and arguably the greatest SMS game. It is simple, addicting fun. There is little else to say, so I'll stop saying anything.

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2003-06-03
From:
Freddix  (more)
Comments: Really good action game ! ! I love it :)

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2003-05-25
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: I GOTTA ADD THIS GAME TO MY SMS COLLECTION!

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2003-05-25
From:
john  (more)
Comments: has anyone beaten this game? ive got an SMS emulator and im on level 18 which i think is the last level and i keep playing this INSANELY HARD BOSS. two "FIRE" worms. they are insanely hard and i have 3 lives. I just want to know if beaten this game is possible. I love this game along with Wonder Boy in Monster Land, SMS Double Dragon, Quartet, After Burner and Altered Beast. The game is insane to beat all the way through.

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2003-05-07
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: This is a nice game. The best part is that you just need to use only one button on your gamepad!

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2003-04-07
From: Wi Wi Jumbo   (
more)
Comments: I love Space Harrier and I always will. Sometimes I wish I was Space Harrier (or is it THE Space Harrier?) then other times I dress up in tight blue pants and go-go boots and run around holding a baseball bat under my arm like Space Harrier's gun. Then I run and run as fast as I can, leaping ever higher in a vain attempt to touch the sky, nay, to touch the very face of God. After about an hour of this, if the police haven't shown up, I drag myself back home, for I have then become failure incarnate. Then I cry a lot. Then I masturbate watching taped episodes of Lizzie McGuire. Then I cry more, repeating this cycle of self-abuse for another two hours or so. Thank you Sega.

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2003-03-19
From: blabediblah   (
more)
Comments: Great epic musical score. I would input code just to listen to the music. One of those games where you were on the edge of your seat constantly and where you'd have to pause and ice your hand every once in a while. I never wanted to finish another game as much as this one; and I never failed to finish a game as often as this one. This game broke my heart; only once, after all my swerving and ducking and shooting and sweating did I confront the final boss--and I died probably one or two hits from winning. I think I bit my controller and threatened to kill it.

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2003-01-20
From: Jacko   (
more)
Comments: I was disappointed with this game, maybe because i had higher expectations! pretty repetative and boring 2 be honest!

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2002-11-26
From: L.T   (
more)
Comments: i want to play it first

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2002-11-22
From: jeremy   (
more)
Comments: If you select 7, 12, 3, 3, 20, 12, 3,4,2 in the sound test you can play as a pirate.

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2002-11-03
From:
Bert from Belgi  (more)
Comments: Just bought it this week and played it for the first time.In one word GREAT!!!

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2002-10-23
From: Randy Johnson   (
more)
Comments: This game is okay but I would've liked it better if it wasn't so hard or if it gave continues.

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2002-10-18
From: Lou   (
more)
Comments: I agree totally with everything that ANTHONY BURNS wrote. When I first played this game on the SMS, I was amazed at what they accomplished with the inferior hardware! Not perfect so it won't get a ten from me, but then again, almost nothing ever does! Maybe a select few. I was lucky enough to have my copy signed by YU SUZUKI himself!!!!! Great game. Thanx Yu

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2002-10-14
From:
Anthony Burns  (more)
Comments: Having finally bought a Saturn in order to experience the arcade-perfect version of this game, I am at a loss to understand why the SMS version is so frequently slated in online reviews. It may not have scaling or parallax, but I have yet to see a better 8-bit version in terms of either gameplay or graphics. The sprites are all immediately recognisable from their arcade equivalents, and all large, detailed, and colourful. The bosses have to be the most impressive on the system (barring those in Space Harrier 3-D). Granted, it's a slower game, but the pace is still respectable (or still hellish, in the case of Revi). Attack waves are mostly present and correct. The soundtrack is irreproachable. This is as much as anyone could ask for in an 8-bit conversion of Space Harrier - actually somewhat more, since it throws in an extra, and rather impressive boss for good measure - and thus rightly deserves full marks.

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2002-10-12
From: secsspos   (
more)
Comments: Very difficult game although one of my favorite games, once managed to reach Level 14. But I ended up finishing the game twice with the Pro Action Replay. Can be frustrating with the fast moving monsters but game is a classic. Barren wasteland should have been covered with some rivers and seas, though.

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2002-05-03
From:
David Medina  (more)
Comments: Space Harrier was a freaking awesome game at its time, especially this version although it doesn\'t have the cool graphics of the arcade game. Despite that, it is one of those games that never really gets old. Shooting fire breathing snakes in a psychadelic checkboard world will always been fun in my book.

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2002-05-02
From: will young   (
more)
Comments: this gam dos naught dsurv propur spelin or; punchewashon as itt is_kite >< a lowd of shhit% itt iis fukd upp$

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2002-04-27
From: SMS Gamer 86   (
more)
Comments: I didn\'t play the master version enough to give it a rating, but I did beat the arcade version on that system16 arcade emulator. Quite fun, now if only they would release a current sequel!

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2002-04-16
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: You gotta give credit to Yu Suzuki, the president of AM2, development branch of Sega. I wish The arcade version was compiled with all of the Sega arcade classics of the 80\'s was made exclusively for the PC.

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2002-04-05
From:
Wilburt  (more)
Comments: Earlier I gave this game an 8, but now i see its a perfcect IO!!!!

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2002-03-25
From: B   (
more)
Comments: I was going to say the same thing about the Never Ending Story (I used to watch it all the time when I was like 4, 10 years ago). I can only make it up to level 13 so far.

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2002-03-11
From: bamz   (
more)
Comments: playing this game was like dropping 5 trips, fast moving, colourful graphics and backdrops specially the bonus level were you took a ride on the dragon from the never ending story film a true classic

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2002-02-17
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: The word out on the net about this franchise is that there\'s gonna be a typing version of this game titled \"Typing Space Harrier\". I got the demo on the PC. Let me know if there is any more news of the game that I\'d mentioned.

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2002-01-29
From:
Egle Kidd  (more)
Comments: I know it will sound like Iīm nuts, but I actually dunnot like this game. Years back, when I was just a kid, the game was too hard, too fast, the graphics never changed and it scared me (what? I was just 5 years old!). Today, I play this game and I donīt think itīs that hard. All you have to do is shoot and shoot and shoot and move all the time. Just like that. Sorry SH lovers! I really wish I could understand what 98% os SMS players think this game is a classic.

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2001-12-24
From:
Ro  (more)
Comments: Planet Harriers is coming soon for the Nintendo GameCube

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2001-12-05
From: darkhorse   (
more)
Comments: i like the smiley face on the back of his gun.

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2001-07-20
From: Gloomy   (
more)
Comments: I think is the best game ever and I like the fact that the levels have very little vaiation because the monotony allows me to play till I canīt remember a thing about the world around me.

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2001-07-14
From: Space Harrier   (
more)
Comments: How odd, deeznutz review is exactly what my girlfriend says when we are having sex.

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2001-07-14
From: deeznuts   (
more)
Comments: Long and hard.

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2001-07-02
From:
Eric  (more)
Comments: I liked the arcade version better... There was just something about what seemed to be a bunch of mosters that looked like cardboard cut-outs...

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2001-06-05
From: Juggalo Master   (
more)
Comments: Damn, this game is fuckin' sweet! I played this shit at Sega Gameworks and spent half my money on this shit. It was so sweet I thought I was gonna fuckin' nut. Godarni kept kickin' my ass, though. I would have to rate this game..............PHAT!!!

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2001-05-25
From: Ryo Hazuki   (
more)
Comments: A true sega classic, buy this game! i spend almost everyday playing when i was a kid and if you buy Shenmu you'll be in for a surprize!

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2001-05-24
From: Firestorm   (
more)
Comments: Great game (but very hard). Even better on Dreamcast's Shenmue. Real good fun, and many days of Ryo's life spent playing this.

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2001-05-23
From:
Gam09Bo07  (more)
Comments: This, in my opinion, is a pretty decent arcade translation, and makes for a great game. If you've never played the arcade version, instead opting to go with this home based console edition, you won't be missing much. Better graphics are about all this cart loses in the transition. The gameplay stays intact and true to it's arcade counterpart. And that's a good thing. This game rules! Each one of the 18 levels are distinct, and the difficulty progresses with each accordingly. If you're looking for new Master System games to play, I would have to suggest this one. If you're looking for this game in particular, buy a copy of Shenmue or wait for the long awaited sequel, Planet Harriers, to hit Dreamcast and Gamecube. Doesn't matter which. This is a must own..

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2001-05-01
From: Kano   (
more)
Comments: Well Done!!!!!!

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2001-04-23
From: M.K.   (
more)
Comments: you won't like it if you played the arcarde version !!!!!! ====> COOL

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2001-04-17
From: Drakillya   (
more)
Comments: Sick fun especially with the joystick but its pretty hard.

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2001-04-14
From: Kristian   (
more)
Comments: A very hard game which can be quite fun at times but usually very annoying and hard.I have only ever got up to level 4 and I know there are more than 10 levels

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2001-04-10
From:
Andrew T  (more)
Comments: Space Harrier is a great game. The first system I ever owned was the SMS and Space Harrier was probably my favorite game. Great graphics, almost as good as the original arcade game and playing it with the power base converter on the Game Gear is awesome. It's a real gem. If you can find it pick it up. Playing Shenmue with the Space Harrier mini-game rekindled my love for Space Harriers. The gameplay is excellent and the graphics are equally good. It stands the test of time and gets two thumbs up. A classic!

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2001-03-30
From: Dude   (
more)
Comments: I got my SMS from a guy for free, and he had many games for it, like Shinobi, After Burner, but I always play Space Harrier. I like that game so much, that I have been planning out a comic book based on it.

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2001-03-30
From: Dude   (
more)
Comments: I just got my SMS from a guy for free, and he had many games for it, like Shinobi, After Burner, but I always play Space Harrier. I like that game so much, that I have been planning out a comic book based on it.

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2001-03-19
From: Doc   (
more)
Comments: WELCOME TO THE FANTASY ZONE! GET READY!! Those uttered words sent chills down my spine, the first time I played this sucker in an arcade in Florida around 1986! And then one year later, I'm playing on my SMS! Man, I thought life couldn't get any better!

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2001-03-11
From:
ReignGoddess  (more)
Comments: I own a SMS and this game, and it's still in mint condition!!! It is WAY better than the Genesis version...but aren't all SMS games? After all, this is where they all came from!!!

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2001-03-10
From: Greg   (
more)
Comments: Man i had the master system when i was so young, I was a fool to ever let it go I had this game, and like alterd beast, and astro warriors, so many..... FUCK, im such a idiot, i need them back

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2001-03-09
From: Ro   (
more)
Comments: I went to Innoventions at EPCOT Center in Disneyworld. You can play Dreamcast at the Sega Pavilion. Check out Shenmue. You can find the Space Harrier Arcade game

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2001-03-08
From: Brian Pumphrey   (
more)
Comments: This was a Kick ASS Game, wait what am I saying, This IS a Kick ASS Game! A little slow compared to the coin-opbut still VERY cool! I wonder if anyone ever beat this with just a three lives your given, and not by cheating by using the continue code...

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2001-03-03
From:
Rick Lappeman  (more)
Comments: This is probaby one of my favourite games ever. All the levels are colourful with a great and original boss at the end of each one and the difficultly level makes this game very rewarding to finish. You must play this as this is what sega is all about!!!

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2001-03-02
From: The Fist   (
more)
Comments: A great, great game, I could play this for hours on end, and picking it up again on Shenmue has reminded me of that addictive one more go quality that you just don't see any more.

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2001-02-26
From:
Wilburt  (more)
Comments: Really good game. A classic! And the codes rule too. Codes are important sometimes in a good arcade transfer.

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2001-02-24
From:
Kid Icarus  (more)
Comments: A very good arcade translation, but I have never been a huge Space Harrier fan. I like using the code that turns your character into the small jet, but it doesn't seem to make the game any easier. Even so it is fun.

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2001-02-22
From: shizumadrive   (
more)
Comments: Good good game. Played this one all the time and had the cool code to change your character from the flying man to a fighter jet. I hope Planet Harrier which comes out soon remains true to this beauty.

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2001-02-20
From: Derf   (
more)
Comments: Graphics are jerky but it was impressive at the time. Follows the Arcade very closely. More levels than the Genesis version.

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All content © Chris Wopat 1997-2024. I probably should thank Sega here too. Thanks!