Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Space Harrier
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1985) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Takara |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Space Harrier |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Developed by Takara and published by SEGA, Space Harrier arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 as a shoot 'em up. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales.
It is part of the Space Harrier series. The series also appears on other systems with Space Harrier 3-D (Master System) and Space Harrier II (Genesis). Takara also made RPG Jinsei Game and Utsurun Desu.: Kawauso Hawaii e Iku!!! for the NES.
Space Harrier supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
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 have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
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 cheats & codes
4 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Invincible | SZVEZZSA |
|---|
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 NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Space Harrier FAQ
When did Space Harrier come out on the NES?
Space Harrier was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1985.
Who made Space Harrier?
It was developed by Takara and published by SEGA.
Is Space Harrier multiplayer?
Yes. Space Harrier supports up to 2 players.
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.