Space Harrier is a third-person arcade rail shooter that broke new ground in the gaming industry. The game was developed by Sega and released in 1985 as an arcade game. Initially, the game was meant to be a military-themed game with a fighter jet under player control. However, technical limitations led to the redesign of the game, where a jet-propelled human character takes on an adventure in a fantasy setting. The game was later adapted to various home consoles and other platforms, including Commodore 64, Sega Genesis, Amiga, and more. The game was also included in the Sega Classics Collection for the PlayStation 2. Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of Space Harrier and explore what cheat codes it offers to gamers.
Space Harrier Premise
Space Harrier is a third-person rail shooter game known for its fast-paced action and surreal, colorful landscapes. The game is set in a fantasy world, where players control Harrier, a character equipped with a jet-propelled laser cannon. In the game, players are in constant motion and are required to dodge obstacles and projectiles while engaging a variety of enemies. The rather odd theme of the game presents a wide-ranging enemy pool from prehistoric creatures to futuristic robots.
©Space Harrier Bosses screenshot – Original
The game features 18 distinct stages, each with its own set of foes and obstacles. Space Harrier‘s objective is straightforward: destroy enemies and dodge the obstacles to progress through the levels. The gameplay combines perspective often seen in racing games, perpetual motion like in vertical and horizontal shoot’em ups, and a unique thematic combination unseen in other games. The game has no specific storyline, like many of its arcade counterparts. Players navigate through stages, battling bosses and collecting bonus points.
Space Harrier Characters
The game is not particularly story-driven and doesn’t focus much on the narrative or characters. However, a few characters we do know. Space Harrier‘s protagonist is Harrier, a jet-propelled human character who battles through various stages using his laser cannon held under his arm. The game also features Uriah, a catlike dragon, perhaps inspired by Chinese mythology. Uriah appears in bonus stages where Harrier mounts it to smash obstacles and collect points. Naturally, the game also comes with a variety of enemies but there’s no backstory or description to describe them.
- Harrier: Harrier is the main character and the only playable character in the game. He is equipped with a jetpack and laser cannon. The player navigates as Harrier through the game’s stages, dodging obstacles and battling a variety of enemies.
- Uriah: Uriah is a mythical dragon-like creature, which appears in bonus stages. It offers Harrier invincibility and the ability to collect extra points by plowing into obstacles.
©Space Harrier Bosses screenshot – Original
Games in the Series
Space Harrier initiated a series known for its innovative and engaging arcade gameplay. Following the original game, sequels such as Space Harrier 3D and Space Harrier II, both released in 1988, expanded on the original’s concepts. The series also includes the arcade spin-off Planet Harriers and a polygon-based remake for PlayStation 2. The Space Harrier series delivers fast-paced gameplay in worlds that are both imaginative and unique.
- Space Harrier (1985)
- Space Harrier 3-D (1988)
- Space Harrier II (1988)
- Planet Harriers (2000)
- Space Harrier Remake (2003)
Space Harrier Cheats
Space Harrier incorporates various cheats that open up new possibilities on different platforms. These cheats range from gaining extra continues to unlocking stage selection. However, note that the cheat codes are largely platform-dependent.
NES Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Continue Game | At the Game Over screen, press Down, Down, Up, Up |
| Sound Test | At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up |
| Extra Options Menu | Do the sound test code, found above, then play the songs in this order: 7,4,3,7,4,8,1 |
| Stage Select | Do the sound test code, found above, then play the songs in this order: 7,6,5,4,3,2,1 |
PC Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Continue Game | When you lose the game and get to the high scores screen, enter your initials as CNT to continue where you were defeated. |
Amiga Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Unlimited Lives | When you lose the game, enter RAF in the second place at the high score list. |
Sega Saturn Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Enable Arcade Options | Hold X, Y, Z, and Start on the title screen |
| Access Arcade Game | Hold A, C, and Start on Controller 2 on the title screen |
| Activate Shadow Mode | Hold Left, Right, A, C, and Y on the title screen |
| M Stick Adjust Mode | Press Start on the Option Menu |
©Space Harrier Bosses screenshot – Original
Sega 32X Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Access Arcade Mode | At the Sega logo press A, C, and Start on Controller 2. If successful, you’ll get an audio clip saying Get Ready! |
| Open Arcade Diagnostics | Press A, B, C, and Start on Controller 1 at the title screen to enter the diagnostic mode. |
Sega Master System Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Gain 3 Extra Continues | At the Game Over screen, press Down, Left, and 1 on the Controller. |
| Add 9 Extra Continues | At the Game Over screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Down, Up, Down, Up on the Controller |
| Access Sound Test | Press Right, Left, Down, and Up on the title screen. |
| Advanced Options | At the Sound Test screen, accessible with the code above, choose the sound tests in the order of 7, 4, 3, 7, 4, 8, 1. You will get hidden options screen which will allow you to select new difficulties, change the controls, and use a jet instead of your normal character. |
| Enable Unlimited Continues | At the Game Over screen, press Up, Up, Right, Right, Down, Down, Left, Left, Right, Right, Left, Left, Down, Down, Up, Up on the Controller |
Sega Game Gear Level Codes
| Level Code | Unlock |
| EAGF | Level 2 |
| CHFA | Level 3 |
| DGBC | Level 5 |
| HBGA | Level 6 |
| FBHE | Level 7 |
| BFCH | Level 9 |
| HGDA | Level 10 |
| AGEC | Level 11 |
Sega Game Gear Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Activate Hard Mode | Press and hold the 1 button while powering on the Game Gear to display HARD on the screen. |
| Activate Easy Mode | Press and hold the 2 button while turning on the Game Gear to display EASY on the screen. |
| Gain Bonus Lives | Press and hold any direction on the D-pad and the Start button, then power on the Game Gear. |
TurboGrafx-16 Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Continue from Level 6 or Level 13. Note! Must reach these levels before using. | CNT |
| Unlock Hidden Options, including a sound menu, more lives, and additional difficulty levels in the Japanese version of the game. | MD[Blank] |
| Unlock Hidden Options, including a sound menu, more lives, and additional difficulty levels in the Western version of the game. | [Blank]MD |
3DS Cheat Codes
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Unlock Hidden Haya-Oh Boss | 1) Complete Stage 18 without using any continues, or 2) Finish Stage 18 without taking any damage. Meeting either condition triggers a battle with Haya-Oh, the final boss from the Master System and Sharp X86000 versions of Space Harrier. |
Commodore 64 Cheat Codes
On Commodore 64, the cheat codes are entered outside the game by entering BASIC code commands before running the game program. After the codes are entered, load the game normally to gain access to the cheats.
| Cheat | Cheat Code |
| Activate Cheat Mode | POKE 6060,60; POKE 6666,234; SYS 2128 |
| Unlimited Lives | POKE 6010,173; SYS 2128 |
Space Harrier Cheats FAQ
How do I navigate through the game’s stages?
Control Harrier with the controller or the joystick, depending on the platform, dodging obstacles and enemies. The character moves automatically forward on the ground running or on the jetpack.
What is the primary objective of Space Harrier?
The goal is to destroy all enemies in each stage, progressing through the game until all levels are completed. As an arcade game, achieving the most points while losing the least lives is the ultimate goal.
Are there any bonus stages in Space Harrier?
Yes, there are two bonus stages where Harrier rides Uriah, a flying dragon-like creature with an appearance resembling a cat, allowing players to collect extra points by smashing through obstacles.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Space Harrier Bosses screenshot.