History YMMV / SpaceHarrier

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Tam9lv1KQ Aw hell yeah]]! Sega [=AM2=] games from the era almost always had awesome music. Amped up tenfold with the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 version’s rendition of the music.

** The UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem version, surprisingly enough. It manages to keep the feel of the arcade version and adds an actual FinalBoss known as Haya Oh - twin flaming dragons who are as fast as incoming obstacles in the tunnel stages. Oh, and they also unintentionally cause InterfaceScrew because the background TurnsRed and makes them damn near impossible to see. Their fireballs are also the same color as them, making the fight NintendoHard.
** The UsefulNotes/SharpX68000 port, however, is a mix and match of the Master System and Arcade versions, making it the most "complete" port. It keeps the Arcade version's sound quality and speed while adding in Haya Oh and the "story" from the Master System version. [[NoExportForYou Too bad it, and the console it's for, never left Japan.]]
** The ''3D Classics'' UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS port by Creator/{{M2}} is very faithful to the arcade original, and includes the option to use the 3DS's touchscreen for more granular movement. It also adds in Haya Oh from the Master System version, making the 3DS port one-up the X68000 version as the most "complete" and arcade faithful version of the game. Finally it has a 3D mode (as is conventional of 3DS games, and assuming you're playing on a 3DS and not a 2DS) similar to the Master System version, but you don't need special goggles for it.
** The ''SEGA AGES'' UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch port is another excellent port, having once again been done by M2. Aside from being a faithful recreation of the arcade original, it also adds a KOMAINU Attack mode, where two dogs fly with you to create a shield that protects you from environmental obstacles.
** The ''[[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis Mini 2]]'' contains brand-new versions of both the original game and ''II'', on new technology called the "Sega Mark V" board. Both are intended as an answer to the long-standing question "What if the Genesis could exceed its limitations and actually handle what the arcade versions were capable of processing?" The port of ''Space Harrier'' is an exact replica of the original arcade version on heavily modified and upgraded Genesis-style hardware, with the added bonus of including the console-exclusive boss Haya-Oh by default instead of having to unlock him like in the ''Sega Ages'' port. The port of ''Space Harrier II'', however, is a completely redone version of that game, recreated from the ground up to replicate the feel of the first game's arcade version. As a result, it is finally able to run with the same graphical fidelity and speed as the original, which was a common criticism of the original Genesis version. The music and sound effects are also completely remixed to use the original arcade game's sound board, making it feel like the true arcade sequel to the original that players always imagined. With that said, both versions suffer from flickering that were not in the original games.

* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs: Well let's see, you play as a man with a rocket booster that doubles as a gun, you fly through checkerboard landscapes while blowing up scenery that includes everything from ordinary flora to giant mushrooms and one-eyed mammoths, and sometimes a ceiling forms for no apparent reason other than to introduce ceiling obstacles.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Tam9lv1KQ Aw hell yeah]]! Sega [=AM2=] games from the era almost always had awesome music. Amped up tenfold with the PS2 version’s rendition of the music.

* PortingDisaster: The version of the original in ''[[CompilationRerelease Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' (''Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection'' in Europe) is quite playable, but it has some sound emulation issues that aren't in the original.

** The Master System version, surprisingly enough. It manages to keep the feel of the arcade version and adds an actual FinalBoss known as Haya Oh - twin flaming dragons who are as fast as incoming obstacles in the tunnel stages. Oh, and they also unintentionally cause InterfaceScrew because the background TurnsRed and makes them damn near impossible to see. Their fireballs are also the same color as them, making the fight NintendoHard.
** The X68000 port, however, is a mix and match of the Master System and Arcade versions, making it the most "complete" port. It keeps the Arcade version's sound quality and speed while adding in Haya Oh and the "story" from the Master System version. [[NoExportForYou Too bad it, and the console it's for, never left Japan.]]
** The ''3D Classics'' 3DS port by M2 is very faithful to the arcade original, and includes the option to use the 3DS's touchscreen for more granular movement. It also adds in Haya Oh from the Master System version, making the 3DS port one-up the X68000 version as the most "complete" and arcade faithful version of the game. Finally it has a 3D mode (as is conventional of 3DS games, and assuming you're playing on a 3DS and not a 2DS) similar to the Master System version, but you don't need special goggles for it.
** The ''SEGA AGES'' Switch port is another excellent port, having once again been done by M2. Aside from being a faithful recreation of the arcade original, it also adds a KOMAINU Attack mode, where two dogs fly with you to create a shield that protects you from environmental obstacles.
** The ''Genesis[=/=]Mega Drive Mini 2'' contains brand-new versions of both the original game and ''II'', on new technology called the "Sega Mark V" board. Both are intended as an answer to the long-standing question "What if the Genesis could exceed its limitations and actually handle what the arcade versions were capable of processing?" The port of ''Space Harrier'' is an exact replica of the original arcade version on heavily modified and upgraded Genesis-style hardware, with the added bonus of including the console-exclusive boss Haya-Oh by default instead of having to unlock him like in the ''Sega Ages'' port. The port of ''Space Harrier II'', however, is a completely redone version of that game, recreated from the ground up to replicate the feel of the first game's arcade version. As a result, it is finally able to run with the same graphical fidelity and speed as the original, which was a common criticism of the original Genesis version. The music and sound effects are also completely remixed to use the original arcade game's sound board, making it feel like the true arcade sequel to the original that players always imagined. With that said, both versions suffer from flickering that were not in the original games.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Tam9lv1KQ Aw hell yeah]]! Sega [=AM2=] games from the era almost always had awesome music.

** The ''Genesis[=/=]Mega Drive Mini 2'' contains brand-new versions of both the original game and ''II'', on new technology called the "Sega Mark V" board. Both are intended as an answer to the long-standing question "What if the Genesis could exceed its limitations and actually handle what the arcade versions were capable of processing?" The port of ''Space Harrier'' is an exact replica of the original arcade version on heavily modified and upgraded Genesis-style hardware, with the added bonus of including the console-exclusive boss Haya-Oh by default instead of having to unlock him like in the ''Sega Ages'' port. The port of ''Space Harrier II'', however, is a completely redone version of that game, recreated from the ground up to replicate the feel of the first game's arcade version. As a result, it is finally able to run with the same graphical fidelity and speed as the original, which was a common criticism of the original Genesis version. The music and sound effects are also completely remixed to use the original arcade game's sound board, making it feel like the true arcade sequel to the original that players always imagined.

* ThatOneBoss: Reaching [[TrueFinalBoss Haya Oh]] in certain releases of the game is already tough as it is, but if you manage to finally get to his fight, you have to battle two dragons at the same time - who fire so fast that their projectiles travel in less than a quarter of a second, meaning if you happen to need to move in a different direction just as they're firing, you've just lost a life, period. And this is just the 3DS version of the fight, as it originated on the more limited Master System version where the projectiles weren't as fast but the player controls were far more limiting by comparison and the dragons AND their projectiles blended in with the solid red backdrop. The SEGA AGES version straight up makes him the default FinalBoss without the NoDamageRun prerequisite of the 3DS release, but without toning down his difficulty either.

* ThatOneLevel: Stage 11, Parms, is where the game enters a DifficultySpike, featuring lots of robots that fire very fast missiles and extra-wide indestructible barriers.

** The ''Genesis[=/=]Mega Drive Mini 2'' contains brand-new versions of both the original game and ''II'', on new arcade-esque technology called the "Sega Mark V" board. Both are intended as an answer to the long-standing question "What if the Genesis could exceed its limitations and actually handle what the arcade versions were capable of processing?" The port of ''Space Harrier'' is an exact replica of the original arcade version on Genesis-style hardware, with the added bonus of including the console-exclusive boss Haya-Oh by default instead of having to unlock him like in the ''Sega Ages'' port. The port of ''Space Harrier II'', however, is a completely redone version of that game on arcade-style hardware, meant to replicate the feel of the first game's arcade version. As a result, it is finally able to run with the same graphical fidelity and speed as the original, which was a common criticism of the original Genesis version. The music and sound effects are also completely remastered from the ground up to use the original arcade game's sound board, making it feel like the true arcade sequel to the original that players always imagined.

** The ''Genesis[=/=]Mega Drive Mini 2'' contains brand-new versions of both the original game and ''II'', on new arcade-esque technology called the "Sega Mark V" board. Both are intended as an answer to the long-standing question "What if the Genesis could exceed its limitations and actually handle what the arcade versions were capable of processing?" The port of ''Space Harrier'' is an exact replica of the original arcade version on Genesis-style hardware, with the added bonus of including the console-exclusive boss Haya-Oh by default instead of having to unlock him like in the ''Sega Ages'' port. The port of ''Space Harrier II'', however, is a completely redone version of that game on arcade-style hardware, meant to replicate the feel of the first game's arcade version. As a result, it is finally able to run with the same graphical fidelity and speed as the original, which was a common criticism of the original Genesis version. The music and sound effects are also completely remastered from the ground up to use the original arcade game's sound baord.

** The ''3D Classics'' 3DS port by M2 is very faithful to the arcade original, and includes the option to use the 3DS's touchscreen for more granular movement. It also adds in Haya Oh from the Master System version, making the 3DS port one-up the X68000 version as the most "complete" and arcade faithful version of the game.

** The X68000 port, however, is a mix and match of the Master System and Arcade versions, making it the most "complete" port. It keeps the Arcade version's sound quality and speed while adding in Haya Oh and the "story" from the Master System version. [[NoExportForYou Too bad it never left Japan.]]

** It also sounds a ''lot'' like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPxe3CKUpw8 Space Road]] by Casiopea, likely intentional given the band's influence on Sega's musical stylings.

** The 3DS port is very faithful to the arcade original, and includes the option to use the 3DS's touchscreen for more granular movement. It also adds in Haya Oh from the Master System version, making the 3DS port one-up the X68000 version as the most "complete" and arcade faithful version of the game.

* ThatOneBoss: Reaching [[TrueFinalBoss Haya Oh]] in certain releases of the game is already tough as it is, usually having to [[NoDamageRun beat the entire game without a single death]], but if you manage to finally get to his fight, you have to battle two dragons at the same time - who fire so fast that their projectiles travel in less than a quarter of a second, meaning if you happen to need to move in a different direction just as they're firing, you've just lost a life, period. If you got this far, you've already mastered the game, but those not prepared will potentially get wiped out if they don't see it coming. And this is just the 3DS version of the fight, as it originated on the more limited Master System version where the projectiles weren't as fast but the player controls were far more limiting by comparison and the dragons AND their projectiles blended in with the solid red backdrop. The SEGA AGES version straight up makes him the default FinalBoss with no prerequisites but without toning down his difficulty either.