Sega Games That Meant: Space Harrier

Around 1987, my brother got a Sega Master System while I was on the Nintendo.  We both played each other systems and though in gave us a range of games and genres, I tended to beat everything of ours.  With or without him, I got have both worlds of Nintendo and Sega.  As we all know that we hold Nintendo to high standards back in the day and even now, Sega played a major role in Video Game History.  For me, these games in Sega’s franchise gave me something Nintendo didn’t.  They meant something and each system we owned and played brought something that even today I can see in modern games.  This week I present to you…

 

Sega Games That Meant

 

Kicking it off is a game that some have forgotten or haven’t heard of.  Back around 1986, my brother had the Sega Master System for Christmas and one of the games he pick up was Space Harrier.  It was a nice anime style title screen that had us hype and ready to explore.  Since we never saw it in the arcade, it was completely new to us.  We didn’t know what rail shooters were at the time but here was a game where a character was flying and shooting in a perspective we felt was revolutionary to us.

 

He played it first of course and he got as far as the third level.  I was watching and commentating while he was getting annoyed at the back seat driver.  Knowing that we were in the zone gamers at the time, I was learning everything about this game and how it played.

 

Space Harrier was a game that not only had one of the Master Systems best game soundtrack but it one of the hardest challenges.  Just trying to dodge the upcoming trees, statues, and enemies and bosses were something we weren’t use to.  It was our Battletoads and still to this day we never beat it.  

 

I on the other hand got far as the 16th level.  I played it everyday and was making progress and my brother couldn’t understand why.  Space Harrier taught reflexes in a 3D area that 2D couldn’t do.  With 2d, we could jump, duck, or move out the way.  Space Harrier had one speed for you to use and you had to be smart and quick about it.

 

Though Space Harrier had its problems that just made us give up and put away.  There was some stiffness to the movement of our character that felt a bit sluggish.  Trying to move when all the enemy shots were coming seems way slower compared to the arcade version.  With those two things, it made dodging hard or right into a statue/bushes/one eye elephant(?)   Also, the game came with no power ups.  Nothing to make our character strong or make the game a tad easier.  

 

Another problem the game had was the length and repetitiveness of the game itself.  It didn’t do anything new or interesting as the game went on.  

 

Regardless though, the game has long been forgotten.  Even with it sequels and remakes, Space Harrier still remains a great shooter.  I still enjoy hearing the music and seeing people play the game from time to time.  Now with modern consoles, it hasn’t become noticeable until Treasure brought out Sin And Punishment on the Wii. Treasure took the game play mechanic and evolved it were you see what made Space Harrier when it came out.  

 

So Sega, I salute Space Harrier for one of the game that meant.