Space Harrier Critic Reviews

If you’re looking for a very classic and fun arcade game then you will be very satisfied with what SEGA AGES Space Harrier has on offer because this is one that should not be missed. And I love that we have it on the Switch and my only wish is that M2 will start to bring new games instead of these greatest hits we’ve seen on multiple platforms already!

Sega Ages Space Harrier is a perfect port of a great classic that remains a milestone in video gaming technology to this day, perfectly preserved for both home and portable play in its Switch incarnation. It could have included a better integer scaling option in docked mode, but it nails it flat on the head in every other area. The amount of content may be a bit small, even with Komainu mode thrown in, but for any Sega fan out there looking to revisit this classic, it's hard to go wrong with this. The 3DS' 3D version still remains attractive for "exclusively portable" gameplay, since it offers stereoscopic 3D, and this one doesn't.

I’m pleased, though not surprised, to say that M2’s typical sincere effort in preserving and re-presenting these Sega classics is on display here. Everything from the digital manual, menus, menu music, optional display filters, numerous border art, unlockables — it’s clear that M2 has created and maintained a reputation of excellence for themselves and they should be proud of it. The only thing I would have liked to have seen would have been the ability to invert the joystick (as is, you have to press down for Harrier to fly up) and the Master System version of the game included. Nevertheless, M2 are offering a lovingly and expertly crafted Space Harrier experience here like none other available that is easy for me to recommend.

It looks lovely, sounds superb and offers an interesting new assist for newcomers, but at its core Space Harrier is still Space Harrier and M2 is only able to do so much with it. This isn’t one of Sega’s masterpieces and therefore isn’t a must-have: it’ll have to settle for being merely ‘pretty good’ instead.

This is Space Harrier, virtually the same arcade game from nearly 40 years ago with a couple of tweaks and additions from the original home ports and the 3DS 3D Classics release. M2, as per usual, made a great port and this might be the best version of Space Harrier, but that’s all it is. Minimal bells and whistles are on display here and unless you want to have this on hand to play while you play Shenmue 3 on another console, plunking down quarters for this doesn’t seem all that worthwhile.

Space Harrier's fast-paced action can be quite fun but its simplicity and annoying aspects will make your excitement quickly wear thin.