Space Harrier Master System box art

Sega Master System · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter

Space Harrier

Deep cut

SystemSega Master System
Released1986 (originally 1985)
GenreShoot 'em Up, Shooter
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesSpace Harrier
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 5

Released for the Sega Master System in 1986, Space Harrier is a shoot 'em up developed by SEGA. This Master System release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.

It belongs to the Master System's earliest wave of games. Other notable Master System releases from 1986 include Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Black Belt and Fantasy Zone. Among the 31 Master System shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #11 by legacy score.

It is part of the Space Harrier series; on the Master System you can also try Space Harrier 3-D. The series also appears on other systems with Space Harrier II (Genesis) and Space Harrier (NES). SEGA also made Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star and Hang-On for the Master System.

Space Harrier is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you've played the Master System hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Space Harrier is like

Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.

Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.

Space Harrier gameplay screenshot on Master System
In-game screenshot (Master System)

Space Harrier cheats & codes

3 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Lives00C1-2309

See all Space Harrier cheats

Space Harrier walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Space Harrier.

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Playing Master System games today

The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.

Space Harrier FAQ

When did Space Harrier come out on the Master System?

Space Harrier was released for the Sega Master System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1985.

Who made Space Harrier?

It was developed by SEGA.

Is Space Harrier multiplayer?

No. Space Harrier is a single-player game.

How long does Space Harrier take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Space Harrier typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Space Harrier on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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