Customer Reviews

Space Harrier 3-D (Sega Master System 3-D Cartridge)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Space Harrier is at it again to save the planet of the dragons and restore it to it's rightful owner; the heiress, Euria. The reason i say, "...at it again..." is because this is not a direct copy/clone of the original Space Harrier, with minor differences in baddies and bosses, and stages.

It was released in 1988 for use with the innovative, and still cutting edge, SEGA 3-D SCOPE, 3-D GLASSES! It is one of eight SMS 3-D games, and one of the more fun games, YET not the best at showcasing the 3-D glasses potential, unlike what i expected. Also, in my opinion, not one of the best SPACE HARRIER versions. Here's my review:

GRAPHICS: 2 OUT OF 5
For the time it was decent, if not impressive, but i feel they didn't take advantage of the SEGA 3-D glasses all too well, or maybe this game wasn't the best candidate. The original version of SPACE HARRIER has more (vibrant) colors on-screen and over-all better presentation from strange-looking enemies, and FAR-OUT alien terrain. It's still there but they changed alot, for the not-so better. The 3-D effect is weak, at best. there are four planes, and only the farther 3 planes use the 3-D effect; everything in the fore-ground, including space harrier, has no 3-D effect; which in turn is an effect. The 3-D glasses really demonstrate "depth", and the depth in this game is weak. Again, 4 planes, if that. Prior to playing this I've played/own some of the other SEGA 3-D games and even ZAXXON 3-D has better special 3-D effects. Heck, "even" MAZE-HUNTER 3-D (other-wise crappy game) looks more 3-D! A real shame because i imagined this game would be awesome in 3-D after playing the others. Though don't get me wrong, it is still cool to experience if you get to experience it at all. Thus, i can not imagine completing such a difficult game in that kinda 3-D, it does strain the eyes after some time.

GAMEPLAY/CONTROLS: 2 OUT OF 5
I don't know ANYONE who has "honestly" beat SPACE HARRIER. If you're not familiar with this game, or have never played it, it is in traditional shoot'em up fashion with it's difficulty. Though most of us know this isn't like a vertical or horizontal shooter, more like AFTER BURNER<-- which i wish was made in 3-D, then again maybe not ;]
A plus in this game is you start off with 3 lives instead of 2, like the original. The minus, again this game is hard in 2-D, well it is even harder in 3-D!!! i guess that's why they changed some of the objects/enemies in the game to better cater to the 3-D effect, but man it is annoying! because there are only a few planes, things just dramatically pop-up/zone-in on you, which makes it too hard to escape near death instances! normally you get lucky, whew! not here... It still has the same feel in controls (quick/responsive) like the original, but again, here 3-D is NOT your friend! This game has 13 stages but i'm lucky if i can endure (or make it) to stage 3! If you do manage to beat all 13 levels, then all the bosses again (back to back), and beat the final boss, PLEASE, post your own review (i'd like to read)

SOUND/MUSIC: 2 OUT OF 5
You know, i was so caught up in the visuals of this game, i don't even remember the sounds, which might be a good thing. I will say the original had a very, very catchy soundtrack (i can hear it in my head right now) the BOSS BMG is a pretty cool tune, same as the stages. I guess it wasn't bad because if it was i would remember that. The original's sound effects were good, one might think, 'bleeps and bloops' would get annoying, but isn't the case as your primary/only weapon shoots lasers blasts, and NEVER bothered me. I'll play it again to make note of sounds;p if i conclude any different, i WILL update/edit my review.

CONCLUSION: (AND A TREAT)
SPACE HARRIER is a fun game, just not in 3-D; SEGA 3-D GAMES are ones you really have to experience and judge for yourself. If you get the right games it's alot of fun; this title wasn't cutting it. Yet, with only 8 games total you might as well get them all. I recommend MISSILE DEFENSE 3-D w/LIGHT PHASER (light-gun), MAZE HUNTER 3-D in my opinion has the BEST use of the 3-D effect (though boring game), and ZAXXON 3-D. For starters. i myslef have yet to complete the entire collection, and am hoping some of the others are just as good, if not better! On a side note, if you own the original SPACE HARRIER SMS, hold onto it; it's a better game!


CHEAT CODE: "CONTINUE" (ENTER AT GAME-OVER SCREEN)press UP,2,1,2,1,1. effect: you will restart the game at the stage you left off when you game-over'd!

CHEAT CODE: "OPTIONS" (ENTER AT MAIN TITLE SCREEN) press PAUSE button on console.
effect: options menu where you can change from 3-D to 2-D maybe more.

GAME OVER