

1986 · Flight simulation · Shooter
Strike Force Harrier
Strike Force Harrier is a combat flight simulator developed by H&H Software and published by Mirrorsoft in 1986.
- Released
- 1986
- Platforms
- Acorn ElectronAmigaAmstrad CPCAtari STAtari ST/STEBBC MicroBBC Microcomputer SystemCommodore 64Commodore C64/128/MAXMSXZX Spectrum
- Genres
- Flight simulationShooterSimulation
- Developers
- —
- Publishers
- Mirrorsoft
- Modes
- Single-player
- Perspective
- First person
- Themes
- Warfare
About
Strike Force Harrier is a 1986 combat flight simulation video game designed by Rod Hyde and published by Mirrorsoft for the 8-bit home computers. 16-bit ports were released later.
›Story
Your mission is to destroy the enemy HQ 125 miles NNE of your starting position as shown both on FOTRAC and on the grid map.
To reach enemy HQ, you will need first to destroy the enemy tanks threatening your ground sites. When you’ve done this, your next move is to set up a new ground site in an adjacent operational area. Unfortunately, these will also come under threat from enemy tanks which will in turn have to be destroyed—and so the process goes on. There are a total of 512 operational areas at your disposal, but obviously not all need to be taken to reach your goal.
Keywords
- modern warfare
- flight
- tank
- airplane
- modern military
Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception
Gameplay
The game simulates the flying of the British attack aircraft Harrier jump jet, known for its vertical takeoff and landing. The objective is to attack an enemy base 250 miles away, filled with MiG fighters, SAM sites, and tanks. The game can't be cleared in one go, each sector must be cleared to establish landing, refuelling, and rearming bases for the land forces. A HUD displays essential information on the cockpit window.
A radar screen plots the position and any enemies nearby. Red traces warn of missiles requiring evasive action.
Reception
Amtix called the game better than Skyfox and Spitfire 40. They summarized the game as "[a] simply superb fight simulation with loads of potential". Crash said that "though by no means the best on the Spectrum, Strike Force Harrier is quite reasonable. As a flight sim, this is pretty good".
Computer and Video Games reviewed the BBC Micro version and concluded: "A classy, polished and highly addictive simulation, this is a game to keep". When reviewing the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions they said that "Strike Force Harrier is set to become a classic of its type on all formats". 64 summarized: "Not a brilliant flight simulator, but one of the more exciting on the market".
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Collections3 collections
Platform libraries
- Amstrad CPC games
- ZX Spectrum games
- Acorn Electron gamesAcorn Electron
Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.