Space Harrier was something unique and very cool in the shoot-em-up genre when it came out in 1985. It used sprite scaling to achieve a fake 3D look (generally referred to as 2.5D) and put the action behind the player instead of a top-down or profile view. This is similar to the “Mode 7” effect in some Super Nintendo games that would come out years later. The scaling was combined with high frame rates to give the impression of moving across the land at incredible speed. It was also one of the first arcade titles to have its visuals updated to 16-bit level. Judging depth can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but the scaling technology is surprisingly effective most of the time, even in this early example of it.
Story is a little on the light side. Basically all you’re told by the game’s digitized voice is that you’re in the “Fantasy Zone” and to get ready. It is highly advisable to take the game’s advice because it moves at a crazy pace with enemies going on strafing runs against you and hazards popping up at a moment’s notice. There are a few different varieties of bosses that all pretty much do the same routine of firing shots to dodge before they come in close for you to get some hits on them and then repeat. Every so often you enter a bonus stage where you saddle up on a furry flying creature reminiscent of the flying dog-serpent from the film The NeverEnding Story (released the year before this game). Your job there is to guide him to blow up as many ground hazards as possible before the stage ends. Space Harrier does not feature a massive variety of foes or landscape types so the game can get a little repetitive toward the end. It would likely have been better served with a few of the 18 levels cut.
The arcade cabinet for Space Harrier was a unit designed to sit you down in front of the monitor and move the player around with your character on screen for maximum immersion. This is by far the greatest experience that can be had with this game and is totally lost when playing emulated versions on other platforms. Sadly, as time goes on it becomes much more difficult to find a cabinet in working order. Space Harrier is extremely fun to play even today, especially the original cab, so if you’re lucky enough to find a working one take advantage of it while you still can.