data/claims/flying-shark-history.yamlFlying Shark (history and reception)
Game: Flying Shark.
By Akagi Masumi's list of arcade games, Toaplan's arcade game 飛翔鮫 (Hishō Same, Sky Shark) came out in Japan in March 1987, sold through Taito. flying-shark-history/arcade-japan
国内編 (Japan), 東亜プラン (Toa Plan) section — the row follows the section's heading "東亜プラン / Toa Plan" in the pinned OCR text, which has no page breaks; the page image hasn't been checked. The list gives year and month only87/03飛翔鮫 (Sky Shark) (via Taito)Our translation87/03 (March 1987) Hishō Same (Sky Shark) (via Taito)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The list names no source for its dates.
Cited by: Flying Shark
In North America the arcade game was Romstar's Sky Shark: Akagi Masumi's list credits it to Toa Plan and Romstar in March 1987, and Play Meter's April 1987 report on the American Coin Machine Expo (ACME '87) says Romstar showed it there as a conversion kit and that it was the Romstar game operators raved about most. The magazine's picks from the show gave it the award for best conversion kit. flying-shark-history/arcade-north-america
海外編 (overseas), index of titles — the pinned OCR text has no page breaks; the page image hasn't been checkedSky Shark Toa Plan/Romstar 87/03Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · p. 60, ACME 1987 show reportSky Shark, though, was the one operators raved about most often.Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · p. 126, Best Conversion KitBEST CONVERSION KIT And the winner is... Romstar's Sky Sharks.Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · p. 126, Best Conversion KitAt ACME ’87, Romstar debuted its latest conversion kits.Play Meter, vol. 13 no. 4 (April 1987) · p. 110, Romstar advertisementSky Shark '87Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Play Meter's award text calls the game "the latest Capcom/Romstar collaboration" and describes a bi-plane; it doesn't name Toaplan or Taito. The list gives year and month only.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Sinclair User's guide to the Personal Computer World Show of September 1987 said Firebird's stand would give a "sneaky peek" at Flying Shark, Firebird's new coin-op tie-in. flying-shark-history/computer-announcement
p. 88, show guide, Firebird Stand 1011be a chance to take a sneaky peek at Flying Shark, its hot new coin-op tie-Sinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · p. 88, show guideThe show is on at Olympia in London on Friday to Sunday 25th-27th SeptemberSinclair User, issue 67 (October 1987) · p. 5, contentsPCW Show Guide 88Our translation(the) PCW Show guide, (page) 88Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the show-dates and PCW Show Guide quotes; dropped the stale note.The earliest known report of the home-computer versions among the sources read.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Firebird's British advertisement of November 1987 called Flying Shark "the ultimate shoot-em-up from Taito" and priced it at £7.95 for the ZX Spectrum, £8.95 on cassette for the Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC (£12.95 and £14.95 on disk), and £19.95 for the Atari ST. flying-shark-history/computer-ad-uk
p. 23, Firebird advertisementHOT FROM THE ARCADES, FLYING SHARK IS THE ULTIMATE SHOOT-EM-UP FROM TAITO.Computer and Video Games, issue 73 (November 1987) · p. 23, Firebird advertisement — the OCR's "d" stands for disk; it doesn't say which of the two disk prices is the Commodore's. The page image hasn't been checkedSpectrum £7.95 Commodore & Amstrad £8.95 (£12.95 & £14.95 d) Atari ST £19.95Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The One's review of the Atari ST version, a year later, gives £24.99 (atari-st-the-one-review). The advertisement names no Amiga version.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Sinclair User gave the ZX Spectrum version (Firebird, £7.95) 10 and its Classic award in January 1988; the review is signed Tamara Howard. It wrote that the game had changed programmer halfway through and that the replacements were Dominic Robinson and Steve Turner; its Programmers box gives Robinson most of the coding, John Cumming the graphics and Turner the soundtrack. It called the game "a truly wonderful conversion" whose waves and bonuses come in the same patterns and places as the arcade game's, and regretted only that everything is monochrome yellow. The same issue offered the game to readers at £6.95. flying-shark-history/spectrum-su-review
p. 18, review textsuffered a change o! programmer half- way throughOur translationsuffered a change of programmer halfway throughSinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 18, review textDominic Robinson (Uridium and Zy naps) and Steve Turner [QuazatronSinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 18, review textFlying Shark is a truly wonderful conversion.Sinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 18, review textwith the waves coming at you in the same patterns, and bonuses appearing in the same placesSinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 18, review rating — the OCR has the word beside the review; the badge hasn't been checked on the page imageCLASSICSinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 19, review textEverything is monochrome - that's perfectly understandable. But does it have so be yellow?Sinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 104, Smash OfferWe like Flying Shark a lot. We gave it a ClassicSinclair User, issue 70 (January 1988) · p. 104, Smash Offerit II only cost you £6.951Our translationit'll only cost you £6.95!Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Read on the page images (p. 18, image 18; p. 19, image 19), which the text layer doesn't carry: the Programmers box ("DOMINIC ROBINSON did most of the coding", "JOHN CUMMING was the man behind the FS's graphics", "STEVE TURNER contributed the sound-track"), the CLASSIC badge on p. 18, and the Facts Box on p. 19 ("Marvellous conversion that loses none of the speed, difficulty or excitement of the original. An absolute Classic treat"; Label: Firebird; Authors: Dominic Robinson, John Cumming; Price: £7.95; reviewer's signature Tamara Howard; ten stars and 10).
Cited by: Flying Shark
Crash reviewed the ZX Spectrum version (Firebird, £7.95) in February 1988, naming Dominic Robinson and John Cumming of Graftgold as authors, and gave it 85% overall (Presentation 81%, Graphics 80%, Playability 85%, Addictive qualities 89%). It describes five levels, the later ones over the sea against battleships and patrol boats, with the first extra plane at 50,000 points. Ben (82%) found the monochrome graphics off-putting and the attack patterns fixed; Paul (85%) called it "superbly playable"; Dave (87%) ranked it among the best arcade conversions he had played. flying-shark-history/spectrum-crash-review
p. 20, facts boxProducer: firebirdCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, facts box — the OCR reads "Cummlng"; the next line reads "Gfaftgotd" (Graftgold)Authors: Dominic Robinson and John Cummlng ofCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, review textAve leval s to conquerOur translationfive levels to conquerCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, review text — the line goes on to later thresholds that the OCR garbles ("t SO.OOO points, and for evary 160,000 points thereafter"); they need a page-image readextra ories ere aemed at SO.OOOOur translationextra ones are earned at 50,000Crash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, second reviewer's commentsuperbly playableCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, second reviewer's commentGrattgold/FirebirdOur translationGraftgold/FirebirdCrash, issue 49 (February 1988) · p. 20, third reviewer's commentbeing ooe of the beet arcade conversiona I've aver playedOur translationbeing one of the best arcade conversions I've ever playedChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The ratings, price and reviewers' names were read on the page image (p. 20, image 20): Retail price £7.95; BEN 82%, PAUL 85%, DAVE 87%; Presentation 81%, Graphics 80%, Playability 85%, Addictive qualities 89%, OVERALL 85%. The OCR's "OVERALL 89%" is a misreading; 89% is the addictive-qualities mark.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Your Sinclair's Mike Gerrard reviewed the ZX Spectrum version (Firebird, £7.95) in March 1988, a YS Megagame with a total of 9, as Firebird's conversion of Taito's arcade game: five levels of enemy forces, with a touchdown on a runway between them, three lives with three smart bombs each, programming by Dominic Robinson and music by Steve Turner. The verdict: "one of the most addictive shoot 'em ups ever". flying-shark-history/spectrum-ys-review
p. 67, review headingFirebircl/£7.95Our translationFirebird/£7.95Your Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, review textFlying Shark is Firebird’s coin-op conversion of Taito’s arcade favouriteYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, review textwith a quick breather when you touch down on the runways in-between levelsYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, review text — the sentence ends in the next column, "smart bombs"you’ve got three lives, with each life having threeYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, review textProgramming’s by Dominic Robinson, and the music by Steve TurnerYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, review textThis is Mike Gerrard, Your SinclairYour Sinclair, issue 27 (March 1988) · p. 67, YS ClapometerFlying Shark has to be one of the most addictive shoot ’em ups ever.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The total and the Megagame badge were read on the page image (p. 67, image 67): YS Clapometer TOTAL 9. The four bar ratings aren't read here.
Cited by: Flying Shark
The One reviewed Firebird's Atari ST version in December 1988 (Gary Penn; £24.99, "Out Now") and gave it 76% overall, with 76% for graphics, 51% for sound, 60% for value and 80% for playability. It found the conversion less slick than the arcade game but true to a sizeable slice of its playability over five vertically scrolling levels. flying-shark-history/atari-st-the-one-review
p. 94, ratings boxPRICE RELEASE DATE GRAPHICS SOUND VALUE PLAYABILITY £24.99 Out Now 76% 51% 60% 80% OVERALL 76%The One for 16-bit Games, issue 3 (December 1988) · p. 92, standfirstGary Penn dons gogglesThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 3 (December 1988) · p. 92, standfirstFirebird’s long-awaited 16-bit conversionThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 3 (December 1988) · p. 92, review textguide your bi-plane through five vertically-scrolling levelsThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 3 (December 1988) · p. 94, review textversion of Flying Shark isn’t as slick orThe One for 16-bit Games, issue 3 (December 1988) · p. 94, review textture a sizeable slice of the original’s playabilityChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The scores and price come from the pinned OCR, which reads cleanly here; the issue's index in data/contents gives the same figures. The review names the plane on the cover art a P40 Kittyhawk.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Zzap!64 reviewed Firebird's Amiga version (£19.99) in April 1989 and gave it 68% overall (Presentation 50%, Graphics 71%, Sound 24%, Hookability 70%, Lastability 67%): "An average blast with no real distinguishing marks". One reviewer found nothing remarkable in it and noted that the Amiga version had lost the arcade game's sideways scrolling; the other, while finding it a weak conversion, found it enjoyable to play. flying-shark-history/amiga-zzap-review
p. 26, review headingFirebird, Amiga £19,99Zzap!64, issue 48 (April 1989) · p. 26, review textFlying Shark has abso- lutely no remarkableZzap!64, issue 48 (April 1989) · p. 26, review textbut ha» lost the sideways scrollOur translationbut has lost the sideways scrollZzap!64, issue 48 (April 1989) · p. 26, ratings boxPRESENT ATJON 50%Our translationPRESENTATION 50%Zzap!64, issue 48 (April 1989) · p. 26, ratings boxGRAPHICS 71%Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The marks were read on the page image (p. 26, image 26): PRESENTATION 50%, GRAPHICS 71%, SOUND 24%, HOOKABILITY 70%, LASTABILITY 67%, OVERALL 68%, "An average blast with no real distinguishing marks." The two comments are signed with caricatures labelled Gordo and Maff. The OCR loses the overall mark.
Cited by: Flying Shark
In August 1988 Computer Entertainer reported that Taito, having released its first five computer games for the Commodore 64, planned Sky Shark for the Commodore 64 at $29.95 and for IBM PCs, but not for the Atari ST: a game at the controls of a World War II P-40 Tiger Shark behind enemy lines. flying-shark-history/us-computer-plans
p. 7, "Taito Introduces Its First Computer Games"planned for C64/128 are GLADIATOR, QIX and SKY SHARK at $29.95Computer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 5 (August 1988) · p. 7, "Taito Introduces Its First Computer Games"All the Taito games but SKY SHARK are planned for the Atari STComputer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 5 (August 1988) · p. 7, "Taito Introduces Its First Computer Games"World War II P-40 Tiger Shark aircraft behind enemy linesComputer Entertainer, vol. 7, no. 5 (August 1988) · p. 7, "Taito Introduces Its First Computer Games" — the sentence begins "IBM/Tandy versions will"be available on 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch disks for seven of the nine Taito games (all but OPERATION WOLF and RASTAN).Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Extended both the IBM and Atari ST quotes.Taito's North American computer games were Taito Software's own releases, not Firebird's; no source read names who programmed them.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Computer Entertainer reviewed Taito's Sky Shark in July 1989 on MS-DOS and the Commodore 64, at $29.95 for the Commodore 64 and $34.95 for MS-DOS, with Amiga and Atari ST versions to come. It called the game "fun for the action lovers out there". Its text speaks of one or two players, but its summary line says one player. flying-shark-history/us-computer-review
p. 8, Multi-System Software — the OCR garbles the star ratings; the issue's index in data/contents (computer-entertainer-1989-07) gives ★★★ / ★★★SKY SHARK (XX X/XxXX) is a World WarIl action arcade game fromComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 4 (July 1989) · p. 8, Multi-System Softwareone or two players piloting their P-40 fighter jetsComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 4 (July 1989) · p. 8, Multi-System Softwarereviewed on MS-DOS and C64; coming for AmigaComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 4 (July 1989) · p. 8, Multi-System Software(MSR $29.95 for C64; $34.95 for MS-DOS)Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 4 (July 1989) · p. 8, Multi-System Softwareis fun for the action lovers out thereComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 4 (July 1989) · p. 8, Multi-System Softwareis fun for the action lovers out there. (one player;Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The "one or two players" conflict with the one-player summary line is now stated.The text continues "joystick required; reviewed on MS-DOS and C64; coming for Amiga and ST". This review is of the computer versions, not the NES cartridge (nes-ce-review).
Cited by: Flying Shark
RUN's William Gates reviewed Taito's Commodore 64 Sky Shark ($29.95) in November 1989. He found that it "lacks the allure of its coin-op progenitor" but was still fun, and named three drawbacks: a lost plane restarts at fixed points in the level, dropping a bomb takes a hand off the joystick to the space bar, and the game comes down to memorizing the enemy's patterns. Tokens from shooting down eight red planes raise the plane's basic two-shot fire in six increments. flying-shark-history/c64-run-review
p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallerylacks the allure of its coin-op progenitor.RUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games GallerySky Shark suffers from three mainRUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallerythe space bar.RUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallerythe P-40's basic two-shot firing rateRUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallerythrough a series of six increments.RUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallerycomes down to memorizing the pat-RUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallery — the publisher line reads "(Taito Software, Inc., 267 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7M 1A5. C-64/$29.95.)"ware. Inc., 267 West Esplanade, North Van-RUN, issue 71 (November 1989) · p. 28 (image 30), Games Gallery—William GatesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Locator changed to p. 28 (image 30).The page footer, "28 RUN NOVEMBER 1989" (garbled in the OCR), gives the printed page.
Cited by: Flying Shark
GamePro's first issue, in May 1989, announced Taito's NES Sky Shark: the arcade hit coming to the NES, with the player a World War II ace in a P-40 Tiger Shark who flies behind enemy lines to save his P.O.W. buddies. flying-shark-history/nes-preview
p. 53, From TaitoThe arcade hit Sky Shark is coming to NES.GamePro, issue 1 (May 1989) · p. 53, From TaitoYou're a World War II ace in your P40 Tiger Shark.GamePro, issue 1 (May 1989) · p. 53, From Taitobehind enemy lines to save your P.O.W. buddies.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Flying Shark
Computer Entertainer's report from the Summer Consumer Electronics Show of June 1989 named Sky Shark as Taito's next NES game, one that "had been shown before". flying-shark-history/nes-ces-1989
p. 13, CES report, Taito (continued from p. 12)The next NES game from this company is SKY SHARK, which had been shown before.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Computer Entertainer's January 1989 issue reports the NES game at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show at $42.99, but its pinned copy (computer-entertainer-7-10) has no text layer here, so it isn't cited.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Computer Entertainer's availability list of August 1989 placed Sky Shark for the NES in the third quarter of 1989; in October 1989 the list had it under September, marked as shipped. flying-shark-history/nes-schedule
p. 14, Availability Update, Nintendo, third quarter — in the OCR the line sits under NINTENDO and THIRD QUARTER, between "NFL Football (LIN)" and "Stealth A.T F. (ACT)"; the page image hasn't been checkedSky Shark (TAI)Computer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · p. 14, Availability Update, Nintendo, September — in the OCR the line sits under SEPTEMBER, between "Sesame Street ABC (HT)" and "x-Who Framed Rogex Rabbit (LIN)", in a list of NES games whose heading the OCR misses; the page image hasn't been checkedx-Sky Shark (TAI)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The newsletter's key marks with "x" the titles shipped by press time.
Nintendo of America's list of licensed NES games gives September 1989 for Sky Shark, published by Taito Software. flying-shark-history/release-nes
PDF p. 11 — the row gives title, licensee, and month, not a daySky Shark Taito Software September 1989Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Computer Entertainer's October 1989 list agrees on September (nes-schedule).
Cited by: Flying Shark
The North American NES booklet presents Sky Shark as "This arcade hit" from Taito, gives the trademarks to Taito America Corp. with a 1988 date, and carries the warranty of Taito Software, Inc., of Bothell, Washington. It names no developer. flying-shark-history/nes-booklet
image 2Taito® and Sky Shark® are registered trademarks of Taito America Corp. © 1988.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 2This arcade hit is now yours to enjoy at home.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 8, limited warrantyTAITO SOFTWARE, INC. LIMITED WARRANTYSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 8, limited warranty11715 North Creek Pkwy South, Suite 110 * Bothell, WA 98011Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Flying Shark
In the NES booklet the control pad moves the P-40 fighter, A fires the machine guns and B launches bombs. SELECT chooses a one- or two-player game, START begins play, and START during play pauses. flying-shark-history/nes-controls
image 3, How to OperateKey Pad Moves P-40 fighterSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 3, How to Operate — the OCR lists '"A" Button' and '"B" Button' before the two actionsFires Machine GunsSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 3, How to OperateLaunches BombsSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, How to Operate (continued)Press the SELECT button to choose a 1 or 2 player game.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, How to Operate (continued)Press the START button during play to pause the game.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, How to Operate (continued)Press the START button to begin play.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the START quote.Cited by: Flying Shark
In the NES booklet each player starts with four aircraft and three bombs per aircraft, and a P-40 is lost when it collides with an enemy target or is shot down. Sky Shark has five levels, each completed on reaching the next airfield. At the end of a game the player can continue from the last level played, three times. flying-shark-history/nes-structure
image 4, How to PlayEach player starts with four aircraft and three bombs per aircraft.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, How to Playlost when it collides with an enemy target or is shot down.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, How to Play — the OCR reads "oky Shark has five levels"Shark has five levels. Each level is completed when you reach the nextSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, Continue Optionyou can continue from the last level playedSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 4, Continue OptionCONTINUE three times.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Flying Shark
In the NES booklet a player starts each level with three bombs; some ground targets leave a "B" that adds a bomb, up to eight in a level, and each bomb left at the next airfield scores 3,000 points. An extra aircraft comes every 50,000 points, up to eight aircraft. flying-shark-history/nes-bombs-lives
image 6, Bonus Items, "B" SymbolA player always starts each level with three bombs.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6, Bonus Items, "B" Symbol — the sentence ends "current level is eight"The maximum number of bombs a player can have inaSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 5, Scoring — the sentence ends "awarded 3,000 points for each remaining bomb", which the OCR prints after the next sentenceA player who successfully reaches the next airfield isSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 5, ScoringAn extra aircraft is awarded every 50,000 points.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6The maximum number of aircraft a player can have is eight.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6, Bonus Items, "B" Symboldisplay a "B" when destroyed. Capture this symbol and add an extra bomb to your load.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 5, Scoringawarded 3,000 points for each remaining bomb.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the "B" quote; split the 3,000-point sentence into two quotes.Cited by: Flying Shark
In the NES booklet shooting down a formation of eight red aircraft brings out an "S"; each one collected raises the P-40's firepower, over six levels, from four shots at the first "S" to seven shots spread wide at the sixth, and the gain is lost when the plane is shot down. A formation of eight yellow planes gives 1,000 points. flying-shark-history/nes-power-ups
image 6, Bonus Items, "S" SymbolShoot down a formation of eight red aircraft and the “S" will appear.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6, Bonus Items, "S" SymbolThis special ability is lost if your P-40 is shot down.Sky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6, Bonus Items, "S" Symbol1st S Four ShotsSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 6, Bonus Items, "S" Symbol — the steps between read "2nd S Four Shots Spread Wide", "3rd S Five Shots", "4th S Six Shots" and "5th S Seven Shots"6th S Seven Shots Spread WideSky Shark instruction booklet (NES, North America) · image 7, Bonus Items (continued)Shoot down a formation of eight yellow planes and receive a bonus of 1,000 points.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Steps wording changed to "over six levels".The booklet doesn't say how many shots the plane fires before its first "S". VG&CE's review says the first token doubles the firepower (nes-vgce-review); RUN's Commodore 64 review says the Commodore 64 version's basic fire is two shots (c64-run-review).
Cited by: Flying Shark
Computer Entertainer reviewed the NES Sky Shark in October 1989, rating it three stars for graphics and three for play (one or two players, MSR $42.99): a fast-paced World War II aerial game "translated nicely" from the arcades, similar to 1943, with bright and crisp graphics, worth a look for fans of the genre. flying-shark-history/nes-ce-review
p. 12, NES review — the OCR garbles the stars; read on the page image (p. 12, image 12) as ★★★/★★★SKY SHARK (& &A#/&&X) isa fast-paced WorldComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · p. 12, NES reviewand is translated nicely for those who enjoyComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · p. 12, NES reviewsuch as 1943, etc., it does pack lots of action andComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · p. 12, NES reviewthe graphics are bright and crispComputer Entertainer, vol. 8, no. 7 (October 1989) · p. 12, NES reviewtwo-playcr) (MSR $42.99)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Flying Shark
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment's David Plotkin reviewed the NES Sky Shark ($44.99) in January 1990 and rated it 8 overall, with 7 for graphics, 6 for sound and music and 8 for playability. He found it exciting if not especially original, with gorgeous scrolling scenery, faulted the continue screen, where pressing A ends the game, and wrote that it was so like other scrolling shoot-'em-ups, especially Capcom's 1943, that owners of one would find little new in it. flying-shark-history/nes-vgce-review
image 46, review headingFor the Nintendo Entertainment System ($44.99)VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 46, ratings — the ratings read "Sound/Music 6", "Graphics 7", "Playability 8", "Overall 8" in the OCR; the page image hasn't been checkedOverall 8VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 46, ratingsGraphics 7VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 46, ratingsSound/Music 6VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 46, review textan exciting, if not especiallyVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 46, review textThe scrolling landscape is gorgeousVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 48, review text (continued)pressing the “A” button (which you do to continue after los- ing a plane) ends the game!VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 48, review text (continued)Sky Shark has so many similarities to other scrolling shoot-'em-ups, especially Capcom's 1943, that if you own one you will not find much new or different.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 12 (January 1990) · image 48, review text (continued)—David PlotkinRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: 1943 reworded to "other scrolling shoot-'em-ups, especially Capcom's 1943"; full quote added.The image numbers are the DjVu page index; the review's printed page numbers haven't been read. The review also says a single hit costs one of four lives with any power-ups and extra bombs, and that the plane lands at an airfield between levels for a full restock of bombs.
Cited by: Flying Shark
Chris Scullion's NES Encyclopedia (2019) credits the NES Sky Shark to Software Creations as developer and Taito as publisher, in 1989, and describes five stages ending with a large plane, after which the game loops back to the second stage. flying-shark-history/nes-scullion
p. 167, Sky SharkDeveloper Software CreationsThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · p. 167, Sky Sharkoriginally developed by Toaplan for arcades under the name Flying SharkThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · p. 167, Sky SharkThe game consists of five stagesThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · p. 167, Sky Sharkwill loop, bringing you back to the second stageThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · p. 167, Sky SharkThe final boss at the end of the fifth stage is a massive plane: destroy it and the gameRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Added the boss-plane quote.A retrospective secondary source; it cites none. The NES booklet names no developer (nes-booklet). The page number is from the book's index ("Sky Shark, 167").
Cited by: Flying Shark