Play Space Harrier Ii (launch Cart) Online

Space Harrier II came out for the Sega Genesis in 1988, right when the console was new. It was developed and published by Sega, serving as a direct follow-up to the original arcade game. This was a time when fast-moving, sprite-scaling shooters were a real technical showcase for what the hardware could do.

You control a lone figure, the Harrier, who flies over surreal, checkerboard landscapes. Your main goal is to survive each stage, shooting down an onslaught of enemies and dodging obstacles and incoming fire. The signature mechanics are constant forward motion and a free-flying joystick control scheme that lets you move in any direction. You fire a continuous stream of shots, and the screen fills with colorful, often bizarre foes like dragons and walking statues. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty is unforgiving; one hit means you lose a life. Navigating the chaotic waves of enemies and the twisting terrain creates a genuine sense of velocity and disorientation.