This shall be a more simple review and one that is a classic on its own. This was another game I didn’t give a second look until later on in my life. Once I started playing it, I never looked back. This was an instant hit during its hey day and it holds up really well these days. Through multiple releases through the years as a bonus or stand alone (or part of a compilation) in multiple consoles and handhelds, this is Space Harrier for the Arcade

Graphics: 10
Beautiful graphics and scenery. Everything looks so great and crisp for its time and the models are nothing short of spectacular. Being 1985, this was a marvel of things to come for Sega, as they keep bringing hit after hit. The checkered floors and lively colored stages, mixed with a pseudo 3-D landscape with stones, trees, and clouds and a third person perspective destroying robotic enemies and stone faces, It holds up well today and you never get tired of this art of a game. And overall ten, perfect score.

Sound: 9
Soundtrack is memorable for a reason. It gives life to the game and from the blasts sound effects and the screaming “noooo” when you die. Second you drop that quarter in and here the chime, gotta hit that start and hear “welcome to the fantasy zone! Get ready!” And you know the experience be bopping fun. Game over music is somber yet pleasant the the ears tho one small complaint is some sound effects enemies give out, especially planes. They tend to be a bit of an ear wrecker but other than that, it almost got a perfect score but a nine will suffice


Addictive: 10
This game will get you playing for hours on end. A simple concept with so much potential and a high score system to try and beat your own records. Levels hook you with interest and it always keeps you on your toes, not knowing what will happen next. There’s a reason why it was such a popular game and a classic. A perfect ten


Story: N/A
There’s really no story in this game as it’s just you shooting through the levels with just a gun and a jet pack… nothing to see here folks


Depth: 7
The black sheep. As a rail shooter you must navigate constantly around your screen as the game scrolls to the boss of each level. There are eighteen levels total. With two being bonuses to gain extra points without enemies and fifteen having bosses at the end to destroy to the next stage, this game has a personality that has yet been seen at that time. With no story in this game the eighteenth level is just a boss rush, facing the bosses once more before encountering the final boss. There’s really not much else to say since this is 1985 and arcades didn’t have much content back then but this was more than sufficient to grab a player’s attention and not mind what this game has to offer. What it offered was more than enough for people who enjoy this type of genre. Depth will be a seven.

Difficulty: 8
At first you’ll think “oh this game is simple and easy” but as you go farther in the levels you’ll realize that the speed and enemies coming at you become overwhelming and the constant movement to avoid enemies and their blasts can stress you out at times. This isn’t a game that would baby you, okay maybe the first two levels, after that it spikes up a bit. One thing about it though, with memorization and proper placements to avoid shots, it is a rather simple game that needs time to master, or spam the shoot button over and over until your hand is cramping. Overall and eight.

Overall Sega dominated the scene in the 80s and games like space harrier are the reason why. This was innovative and fun, with many colorful sprites and a simple concept mixed with the difficulty and memorization of how to dodge. I had my first experience of this game through the Sega Arcade Gallery for the Gameboy Advance and it branched out to the actual arcade game I found in a local bar years later. Collecting the game as much as I can from Shenmue, Switch, 3DS and even Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection, I’ve grown so fond of this game and has been one of my staples of gaming to this day.

Overall: 8.8
My rating: 9.2