View source for Flying Shark

{{short description|1987 video game}}
{{about|the 1987 video game|the airplane known as Flying Shark|Shenyang J-15}}
{{redirect|Sky Shark|other uses|Sky Shark (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Flying Shark
| image = Flying Shark arcade flyer.jpg
| caption = Japanese arcade flyer
| developer = [[Toaplan]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|[[Taito]]|NA|[[Romstar]]|EU|Electrocoin}}
| composer = Masahiro Yuge <br> Tatsuya Uemura
| series = ''Shark''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[FM Towns]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[X68000]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 14, 1987|WW|March 1987}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = {{cslist|[[Single-player video game|Single-player]]|[[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]}}
}}

'''''Flying Shark''''',{{efn|Known as {{nihongo|'''''Hi Sho Zame'''''|{{ruby|飛翔鮫|ひしょうざめ}}|''Hishōzame''|lit. "Flying Shark"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan.}} known as '''''Sky Shark''''' in North America, is a vertically [[scrolling shooter]] [[arcade video game]] originally developed by [[Toaplan]] and published in 1987 by [[Taito]] in Japan, [[Romstar]] in North America and Electrocoin in Europe. Controlling the titular [[biplane]], the players must fight endless waves of military vehicles while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles. The plane has a powerful bomb at its disposal that can clear a portion of the screen of bullets and damage enemies when fired. It was the third shoot 'em up game from Toaplan, and their eighth video game overall.

''Flying Shark'' was ported to multiple systems, each version created by different [[third-party developer]]s. The game proved to be a success for Toaplan among players in Japanese arcades and garnered mostly positive reception from western critics, but the game was met with mixed response from magazines, specifically the home [[Video game conversion|conversion]]s. In 1989 the sequel ''[[Fire Shark]]'' was released. The rights to the title are owned by Tatsujin, a Japanese company formed by Masahiro Yuge.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:ARC Flying Shark (Hishōzame - Sky Shark).png|thumb|left|Arcade screenshot]]

''Flying Shark'' is a military-themed vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game in which players take control of the titular biplane through five increasingly difficult levels in order to defeat an assortment of military enemy forces like [[tank]]s, [[battleship]]s, [[airplane]]s and [[artillery]] as the main objective.<ref name="FSNESmanual">''Flying Shark'' How To Play (Nintendo Entertainment System, US)</ref><ref name="FShg101">{{cite web|last=Zverloff|first=Nick|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/flying-shark/|title=Flying Shark|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=9 July 2012|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref name="FSss">{{cite web|url=http://shootingstar.game.coocan.jp/hishozame.html|title=飛翔鮫|publisher=Shooting Star|access-date=2020-05-10|language=ja|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028171203/http://shootingstar.game.coocan.jp/hishozame.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The title initially appears to be very standard, as players control their plane over a constantly scrolling background and the scenery never stops moving until a [[runway]] is reached. Players have only two weapons at their disposal: the standard shot that travels a max distance of the screen's height and three [[bomb]]s.<ref name="FSNESmanual"/><ref name="FShg101"/><ref name="FSss"/>

The bombs are powerful weapons capable of obliterating any enemy caught within its [[blast radius]].<ref name="FSNESmanual"/><ref name="FSss"/> Various [[Item (gaming)|item]]s are scattered through every stage that appear by destroying certain enemies:<ref name="FSNESmanual"/><ref name="FShg101"/><ref name="FSss"/> Shooting down colored waves of enemy planes spawn items like "S" [[power-up]] icons, point bonuses and extra lives.<ref name="FSNESmanual"/><ref name="FSss"/> Certain enemies on the ground spawn "B" icons that increases the player's bomb stock when destroyed.<ref name="FSNESmanual"/><ref name="FSss"/> Every time the player lands at a runway beyond the first takeoff, the amount of bombs multiply 3000 points to the player's total score.<ref name="FSNESmanual"/>

Players are given three lives initially and bonus lives are awarded at 50000 points and thereafter.<ref name="FSNESmanual"/> The game employs a [[Saved game#Checkpoints|checkpoint]] system in which a downed single player will start off at the beginning of the checkpoint they managed to reach before dying. Getting hit by enemy fire will result in losing a live, as well as a penalty of decreasing the plane's [[firepower]] to his original state and once all lives are lost, the [[Game over|game is over]] unless players insert more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing. Completing the last stage restarts the game with the second loop increasing in difficulty.<ref name="FShg101"/>

== Development ==
''Flying Shark''{{'}}s creation process and history was recounted through various Japanese publications by [[Video game composer|composer]]s Masahiro Yuge and Tatsuya Uemura, both of which collaborated with the [[Soundtrack#Video game soundtracks|soundtrack]] and marked the first time [[Toaplan]] made use of [[FM synthesis]].<ref name="PSGv10">{{cite magazine|last=Abeto|first=Kobatsu|title=東亜プランインタビュー|magazine=PSG|volume=10|publisher=F.S.G Club|date=September 1989|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531193430/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/|date=2017-05-31}}).</ref><ref name="TSCa">{{cite web|url=https://sweeprecord.com/srin-1100/|title=東亜プラン シューティングクロニクル|work=SweepRecord|publisher=SuperSweep|date=14 November 2011|access-date=2020-05-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030143/https://sweeprecord.com/srin-1100/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicle/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711134859/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicle/|date=2018-07-11}}).</ref><ref name="STGv4b">{{cite magazine|last1=Kiyoshi|first1=Tane|author2=hally (VORC)|last3=Yūsaku|first3=Yamamoto|title=東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 弓削雅稔|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=4|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=3 February 2012|pages=41–48|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373844}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906023744/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/|date=2019-09-06}}).</ref> Yuge stated that the basic structure for the game was already decided during development of ''[[Slap Fight]]'' by pursuing the excitement of shooting and dodging, settling on the bomb and shot system, claiming that firing a bomb relieved stress from players.<ref name="G49">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0049#page/69/mode/2up|title=東亜プラン|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=49|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=September 1990|pages=68–69|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107033548/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/|date=2019-11-07}}).</ref> Yuge also stated the theme for the title was a realistic depiction of war that would involve players emotionally, as the development team had the atmosphere portrayed by the 1979 [[Epic film|epic]] [[war film]] ''[[Apocalypse Now]]'' in their mind.<ref name="TSCb">{{cite web|url=https://sweeprecord.com/toaplan-shooting-toku/|title=東亜プラン シューティングクロニクル 特設ページ|work=SweepRecord|publisher=SuperSweep|date=27 October 2011|access-date=2020-05-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215231114/https://sweeprecord.com/toaplan-shooting-toku/|archive-date=2020-02-15|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicleqa/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002072400/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-chronicleqa/|date=2019-10-02}}).</ref> The team also took a company trip to [[Thailand]] and wanted to convey the mood of the country's scenery with the backgrounds, with Yuge stating that the decision of scrolling said backgrounds left and right was to immerse players more with the game's world, though he expressed desire in making stages longer.<ref name="TSCb"/>

''Flying Shark'' was also the first project by Toaplan to make use of the [[Motorola 68000]] [[microprocessor]] and due to the improved hardware, it allowed the team with displaying more [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s on-screen, but the increased hardware also brought issues such as difficulties with making FM sounds and enemy planes aiming their shots at players more accurately.<ref name="TSCb"/><ref name="VGMDB">{{cite web|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/1245|title=D28B-0008 &#124; KYUKYOKU TIGER -G.S.M.TAITO 2-|work=vgmdb.net|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803090922/http://vgmdb.net/album/1245|archive-date=2017-08-03|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022183049/http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/|date=2019-10-22}}).</ref> The team wanted to make a title where players could clear it via tricks and knowledge accumulated through gameplay.<ref name="TSCb"/><ref name="STGv4a">{{cite magazine|last1=Kiyoshi|first1=Tane|author2=hally (VORC)|last3=Yūsaku|first3=Yamamoto|title=東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 上村建也|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=4|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=3 February 2012|pages=33–40|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373844}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-uemura1/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906023755/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-uemura1/|date=2019-09-06}}).</ref> When asked about the increasing bullet speed and starting at the second stage during higher loops, Uemura claimed that this design choice was made due to the first stage being made for beginning players and that the bullet speed would return to normal after reaching an overflow.<ref name="TFf25v9">{{cite magazine|author1=Iona|author2=VHS|author3=K-HEX|title=東亜プラン FOREVER|magazine=Floor 25|volume=9|date=June 2009|pages=1–70|lang=ja}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010170328/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332|date=2020-10-10}}).</ref> Despite being published by [[Taito]], Uemura stated that the publisher allowed them to reveal the project was made by Toaplan.<ref name="TFf25v9"/>

== Release ==
''Flying Shark'' was first released by [[Taito]] in Japan on March 14, 1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sky Shark (Registration Number PA0000327004) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref> It was then released across arcades worldwide the same month, by [[Romstar]] in North America under the name ''Sky Shark'' and by Electrocoin in Europe.<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n132/mode/1up|title=タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan); Romstar; S|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement News Agency]]|date=13 October 2006|pages=42, 50, 130, 164|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=":2">''Flying Shark'' arcade flyer (Electrocoin, EU)</ref> In November 1988, an album containing music from the title was co-published exclusively in Japan by [[Scitron]] and [[Pony Canyon]].<ref name="VGMDB"/>

''Flying Shark'' was converted to multiple platforms by various third-party developers including the [[Commodore 64]] (1987), [[ZX Spectrum]] (1987), [[Amiga]] (1988), [[Amstrad CPC]] (1988), [[Atari ST]] (1988), [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (1989), [[MS-DOS]] (1989), [[X68000]] (1991) and the [[FM Towns]] (1993).<ref name="FShg101"/><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Farrell|first=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/stream/Australian_Commodore_and_Amiga_Review_The_Volume_6_Issue_8_1989-08_Saturday_Magazine_AU#page/n17/mode/1up|title=Entertainment Roudup: Flying Shark - Amiga/C64|magazine=Australian Commodore & Amiga Review|volume=6|issue=8|publisher=Saturday Magazine Pty.|date=August 1989|page=16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|title=Toaplan: the rise and fall of Japan's greatest shooting game company|work=[[Den of Geek]]|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|date=21 June 2018|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621073806/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf|title=NES Games|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf|archive-date=2014-06-11|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the microcomputer ports were only released in Europe or North America.<ref name="FShg101"/> Two versions were developed for the [[Commodore 64]]; one in Europe and another in North America.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bevan|first=Mike|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/company/software-creations/|title=From The Archives: Software Creations — Bubbles, Baseball and Buzz Saws...|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=122|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=November 2013|pages=74–79|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109071911/http://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/company/software-creations/|archive-date=9 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RGes23">{{cite magazine|last=García|first=Julen Zaballa|title=La Historia De: Flying Shark|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=23|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]]|date=April 2018|pages=46–51|lang=es}}</ref> The NES version, which was a North American exclusive, is notable for being one of the earliest soundtracks composed by [[Tim Follin]] on the system.<ref name="FShg101"/> The arcade version of the game was included in the ''Hishou Same! Same! Same!'' compilation for [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]] as part of [[M2 (game developer)|M2]]'s ''Toaplan Arcade Garage'' label.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/04/toaplan-shoot-em-ups-twin-cobra-truxton-ii-flying-shark-and-out-zone-coming-to-consoles|title=Toaplan shoot 'em ups Twin Cobra, Truxton II, Flying Shark, and Out Zone coming to consoles - M2 porting the late 80s and early 90s titles|work=Gematsu|date=18 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424171500/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/04/toaplan-shoot-em-ups-twin-cobra-truxton-ii-flying-shark-and-out-zone-coming-to-consoles|archive-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/04/m2_is_making_a_stupidly_expensive_shooter_more_affordable_on_home_consoles|title=M2 Is Making A Stupidly Expensive Shooter More Affordable On Home Consoles - Along with some other amazing Toaplan titles|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=18 April 2020|access-date=2020-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424212451/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/04/m2_is_making_a_stupidly_expensive_shooter_more_affordable_on_home_consoles|archive-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Alistair|url=https://www.siliconera.com/toaplans-flying-shark-twin-cobra-truxton-ii-and-out-zone-coming-to-modern-platforms/|title=Toaplan's Flying Shark, Twin Cobra, Truxton II, and Out Zone Coming to Modern Platforms|work=[[Siliconera]]|publisher=[[Curse LLC]]|date=19 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419132733/https://www.siliconera.com/toaplans-flying-shark-twin-cobra-truxton-ii-and-out-zone-coming-to-modern-platforms/|archive-date=19 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Moyse|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/out-zone-twin-cobra-and-other-classic-toaplan-shmups-coming-soon-from-m2-587574.phtml|title=Out Zone, Twin Cobra, and other classic Toaplan shmups coming soon from M2 - Save your quarters|work=[[Destructoid]]|publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]]|date=20 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/toaplan-shoot-em-up-collection-hishou-same-same-same-announced-for-ps4-switch|title= Toaplan shoot 'em up collection Hishou Same! Same! Same! announced for PS4, Switch - Due out in spring 2022 in Japan|work=Gematsu|date=October 27, 2021|access-date=2021-07-15}}</ref> ''Flying Shark'' was included as part of the ''Toaplan Arcade 1'' compilation for [[Evercade]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/05/evercade-is-getting-an-exp-upgrade-complete-with-irem-and-toaplan-collections|title=Evercade Is Getting An "EXP" Upgrade, Complete With Irem And Toaplan Collections|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=May 31, 2022|access-date=2022-05-31}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="float:right; font-size:80%; text-align:center; margin:1em; margin-top:0; padding:0;" cellpadding="0"
! colspan="8" style="font-size: 100%" | Reception
|-
! colspan="8" | [[Video game journalism|Review scores]]
|-
! rowspan=2 | Publication
! colspan="7" |Scores
|-
![[Arcade video game|ARC]]
! [[Commodore 64|C64]]
! [[ZX Spectrum|ZXS]]
! [[Amiga|AGA]]
! [[Amstrad CPC|CPC]]
! [[Atari ST|ST]]
! [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]
|-
| ''[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 735/1000<ref name="ACEC64fs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-06/ACE_Issue_06_1988_Mar#page/n59/mode/1up|title=Screen Test Updates: C64/128 - Flying Shark|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=March 1988|page=60|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913011422/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-06/ACE_Issue_06_1988_Mar#page/n59/mode/1up|archive-date=13 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 893/1000<ref name="ACEZXSfs1">{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Andy|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-05/ACE_Issue_05_1988_Feb#page/n41/mode/1up|title=Screen Test: Flying Shark - Is it a Firebird? No, it's a bi-plane...|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=February 1988|page=42|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730150115/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-05/ACE_Issue_05_1988_Feb#page/n41/mode/1up|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 895/1000<ref name="ACEAGAfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-19/ACE_Issue_19_1989_Apr#page/n82/mode/1up|title=Screen Test Updates: An At-A-Glance Guide — Amiga – Flying Shark (Firebird)|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=19|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=April 1989|pages=83–84|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913011425/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-19/ACE_Issue_19_1989_Apr#page/n82/mode/1up|archive-date=13 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 784/1000<ref name="ACECPCfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-07/ACE_Issue_07_1988_Apr#page/n64/mode/1up|title=Screen Test Update: Amstrad - Flying Shark|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=7|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=April 1988|page=65|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613200407/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-07/ACE_Issue_07_1988_Apr#page/n64/mode/1up|archive-date=13 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 895/1000<ref name="ACESTfs">{{cite magazine|last=Wade|first=Bob|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-16/ACE_Issue_16_1989_Jan#page/n57/mode/1up|title=Screen Test (Update Special): Flying Shark (Atari St • Firebird)|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=16|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=January 1989|page=58|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031184402/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-16/ACE_Issue_16_1989_Jan#page/n57/mode/1up|archive-date=31 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Aktueller Software Markt|ASM]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 1/12<ref name="ASMC64fs">{{cite magazine|last=Kleimann|first=Manfred|url=https://archive.org/stream/asm_magazine-1988-02/ASM_02_1988#page/n11/mode/1up|title=Action Games - Balleri, Ballera, Ballerumms|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|issue=19|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=February 1988|page=12|lang=de|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810010325/https://archive.org/stream/asm_magazine-1988-02/ASM_02_1988#page/n11/mode/1up|archive-date=10 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[AllGame]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{Rating|3.5}}<ref name="AGNESss">{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15090&tab=review|title=Sky Shark (Nintendo Entertainment System) - Review|work=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|date=1998|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115020925/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15090&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Amstrad Action|AmAction]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 73%<ref name="AACPCfs">{{cite magazine|last1=Barrett H.|first1=Gary|last2=Wade|first2=Bob|url=https://archive.org/stream/amstrad-action-031/Amstrad_Action_031#page/n40/mode/1up|title=Action Test - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Amstrad Action]]|issue=31|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=April 1988|page=41}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:fr:Amstrad Cent pour cent|ACPC]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 65%<ref name="ACPCCPCfs">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Amstrad%20Cent%20Pour%20Cent/amstradcpc_numero02/A02_127.JPG|title=Dossier Micro Arcades: Heros U.S. CH. Mission Suicide — Flying Shark/Firebird/Taito|magazine=[[:fr:Amstrad Cent pour cent|Amstrad Cent Pour Cent]]|issue=2|publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]]|date=March 1988|page=127|lang=fr}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:fr:Am-Mag|Am-Mag]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{Rating|2}}<ref name="AMMCPCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Eric|first=Adrianombana|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Am%20Mag/ammag_numero32/Am%20Mag%20032%20-%20Page%20048-049.jpg|title=Soft - Flying Shark|magazine=[[:fr:Am-Mag|Am-Mag]]|issue=32|publisher=Laser Presse SARL|date=March 1988|page=49|lang=fr}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Commodore Disk User|CDU]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{Rating|5}}<ref name="CDUC64fs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-diskuser-03#page/n11/mode/1up|title=Reviews - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Commodore Disk User]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Argus Press]]|date=March–April 1988|page=12}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Commodore Force|CForce]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 50%<ref name="CFC64fs">{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=James|url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-097#page/n19/mode/1up|title=Round-Up!: Slots Of Fun! - Flying Shark (Firebird)|magazine=[[Commodore Force]]|issue=7|publisher=[[Europress Impact]]|date=July 1993|page=20}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Commodore User|CU]]''
|9/10<ref name="CUserARCfs" />
| 7/10<ref name="CUserC64fs">{{cite magazine|last=Penn|first=Gary|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-52/Commodore_User_Issue_52_1988_Jan#page/n16/mode/1up|title=Screen Scene - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Commodore User]]|issue=52|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=January 1988|page=17|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908162931/https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-52/Commodore_User_Issue_52_1988_Jan#page/n16/mode/1up|archive-date=8 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[CU Amiga-64]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 73%<ref name="CUAmiga-64AGAfs">{{cite magazine|last=Heley|first=Mark|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-66/Commodore_User_Issue_66_1989_Mar#page/n21/mode/1up|title=Amiga - Screen Scene: Flying Shark|magazine=[[CU Amiga-64]]|issue=66|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=March 1989|pages=22}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Computer and Video Games|CVG]]''
|Positive<ref name="CVGARCfs" />
| 6/10<ref name="CVGC64ZXSfs">{{cite magazine|last=Boughton|first=Paul|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-076/CVG_076_Feb_1988#page/n34/mode/1up|title=CVG Reviews - Flying Shark (Spec/CBM 64)|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=76|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=February 1988|page=35|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101110608/https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-076/CVG_076_Feb_1988#page/n34/mode/1up|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 8/10<ref name="CVGC64ZXSfs"/>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 75%<ref name="CVGSTfs">{{cite magazine|last=Brennan|first=Ciaran|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-087/CVG087_Jan_1989#page/n53/mode/1up|title=Reviews - Flying Shark (ST)|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=87|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=January 1989|page=54|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008104416/https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-087/CVG087_Jan_1989#page/n53/mode/1up|archive-date=8 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 85%<ref name="CrashZXSfs">{{cite magazine|last1=Stone|first1=Ben|last2=Sumner|first2=Paul|last3=Hawkes|first3=Dave|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-49/Crash_49_Feb_1988#page/n19/mode/1up|title=Reviews - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|issue=49|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=20|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103095016/https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-49/Crash_49_Feb_1988#page/n19/mode/1up|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:sv:Datormagazin|Dator]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 2/10<ref name="DatorAGAfs">{{cite magazine|last=Nilsson|first=Lennart|url=https://archive.org/stream/Datormagazin1989/Datormagazin_1989_nr03#page/n11/mode/1up|title=Amiga-Spel: Flying Shark|magazine=[[:sv:Datormagazin|Datormagazin]]|issue=32|publisher=[[:sv:Hjemmet Mortensen|Hjemmet Mortensen]], [[:sv:Egmont Tidskrifter|Egmont Publishing]]|date=February 1989|page=12|lang=sv}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 22/40<ref name="EGMNESss">{{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|last2=Semrad|first2=Ed|last3=Nauert|first3=Donn|last4=Allee|first4=Jim|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_04#page/n10/mode/1up|title=Review Crew: Sky Shark|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=4|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1989|page=11}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Games Machine|TGM]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 74%<ref name="TGMC64fs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-03/TheGamesMachine03#page/n55/mode/1up|title=Reviews: A Nip In The Air? - Flying Shark (Firebird - Commodore 64/128)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=55}}</ref>
| 83%<ref name="TGMZXSfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-03/TheGamesMachine_03#page/n54/mode/1up|title=Reviews: A Nip In The Air? - Flying Shark (Firebird - Spectrum 48/128)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=54|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806144437/https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-03/TheGamesMachine_03#page/n54/mode/1up|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 72%<ref name="TGMAGAfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-17/TheGamesMachine_17#page/n29/mode/1up|title=Reviews: Version Update - Flying Shark (Firebird • Amiga)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=17|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=April 1989|page=30|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323003646/https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-17/TheGamesMachine_17#page/n29/mode/1up|archive-date=23 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 80%<ref name="TGMCPCfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-04/TheGamesMachine_04#page/n61/mode/1up|title=Reviews: Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Air... - Flying Shark (Firebird - Amstrad)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=4|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=March 1988|page=62|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613122412/https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-04/TheGamesMachine_04#page/n61/mode/1up|archive-date=13 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 84%<ref name="TGMSTfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-14/TheGamesMachine_14#page/n68/mode/1up|title=Reviews - Version Update: Rogue — Fliyng Shark (Firebird - Atari ST)|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=14|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=January 1989|page=69|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610072123/https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-14/TheGamesMachine_14#page/n68/mode/1up|archive-date=10 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:fr:Gen4|Gén 4]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 80%<ref name="G4AGAfs">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero010/gen4%20-%20n%b010%20-%20avril%201989%20page%20008%20et%20009.jpg|title=Nouvelles Versions: Adaptations Pour Amiga - Flying Shark (Firebird)|magazine=[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]|issue=10|publisher=Computec Media France|date=April 1989|page=8|lang=fr}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| 80%<ref name="G4STfs">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero008/Gen4%20%238%20-%20page%20040.jpg|title=Tests - Flying Shark (ST)|magazine=[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]|issue=8|publisher=Computec Media France|date=January 1989|page=40|lang=fr}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:de:Happy Computer|Happy CPU]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 72/100<ref name="HappyCC64fs">{{cite magazine|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=326|title=Flying Shark|magazine=[[:de:Happy Computer|Happy Computer]]|issue=16 Spiele-Sonderteil|publisher=[[:de:Markt+Technik Verlag|Markt+Technik Verlag]]|date=February 1988|lang=de}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:es:MicroHobby|MicroHobby]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 8/10<ref name="MHZXSfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/microhobby-magazine-167.pdf#page/n39/mode/2up|title=¡Nuevo!: Tiburones En El Cielo - Flying Shark|magazine=[[:es:MicroHobby|MicroHobby]]|volume=2|issue=167|format=PDF|publisher=HobbyPress|date=April 1988|pages=40–41|lang=es}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Nintendo Power|NP]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 14/20<ref name="NPNESss">{{cite magazine|title=Video Shorts: Sky Shark from Taito|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=8|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=September–October 1989|page=79}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The One (magazine)|The One]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 76%<ref name="TOSTfs">{{cite magazine|last=Penn|first=Gary|url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-03/TheOne_03_Dec_1988#page/n91/mode/2up|title=Review - Flying Shark (ST)|magazine=[[The One (magazine)|The One]]|issue=3|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=December 1988|pages=92–94|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315163741/https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-03/TheOne_03_Dec_1988#page/n91/mode/2up|archive-date=15 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 7/10<ref name="PPC64fs">{{cite magazine|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|url=https://archive.org/stream/Power.Play.N03.1988.03-kultpower#page/n78/mode/1up|title=Power Computerspiele-Tests: Flying Shark (C64)|magazine=[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]|issue=3|publisher=Future Verlag|date=March 1988|page=79|lang=de}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 5/10<ref name="PPCPCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|url=https://archive.org/stream/Power.Play.N04.1988.04-kultpower#page/n79/mode/1up|title=Power Computerspiele-Tests: Flying Shark (CPC)|magazine=[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]|issue=4|publisher=Future Verlag|date=April 1988|page=80|lang=de}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Sinclair User]]''
|Positive<ref name="SUARCfs" />
| {{N/A}}
| 10/10<ref name="SUZXSfs">{{cite magazine|last=Howard|first=Tamara|url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-070/SinclairUser_070_Jan_1988#page/n17/mode/2up|title=Arcade Review: Flying Shark - Classic|magazine=[[Sinclair User]]|issue=70|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=January 1988|pages=18–19|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327015653/https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-070/SinclairUser_070_Jan_1988#page/n17/mode/2up|archive-date=27 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 13/20<ref name="TiltC54fs">{{cite magazine|last=Cabéria|first=Erin|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero052/TILT%20-%20n052%20-%20mars%201988%20-%20page070%20et%20071.jpg|title=Tubes: Flying Shark - Les requins ailés (Disquette Firebird pour Commodore 64)|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=52|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=March 1988|page=71|lang=fr}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| 14/20<ref name="TiltAGAfs">{{cite magazine|last=Boolauck|first=Dany|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero065/TILT%20065%20%28Avril%201989%29%20-%20Page%20062.jpg|title=Rolling Softs: Flying Shark - Amiga, disquette Firebird|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=65|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=April 1989|page=62|lang=fr}}</ref>
| 10/20<ref name="TiltCPCfs1">{{cite magazine|last=Hautefeuille|first=Olivier|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero053/TILT%20-%20n053%20-%20avril%201988%20-%20page032%20et%20033.jpg|title=Coup D'Oeil: Flying Shark (K7 Firebird pour Amstrad CPC)|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=53|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=April 1988|page=32|lang=fr}}</ref><ref name="TiltCPCfs2">{{cite magazine|last=Huyghues-Lacour|first=Alain|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero059/TILT%20-%20n059%20-%20novembre%201989%20-%20page096%20et%20097.jpg|title=Dossier - Destroy: 36 Shoot-Them-Up Au Tiltoscope - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=59|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=November 1989|pages=96|lang=fr}}</ref>
| 14/20<ref name="TiltSTfs">{{cite magazine|last=Boolauck|first=Dany|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero063/TILT%20-%20n063%20-%20fevrier%201989%20-%20page076%20et%20077.jpg|title=Rolling Softs: Flying Shark - Atari ST, disquette Firebird|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=63|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=February 1989|page=77|lang=fr|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044141/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero063/TILT%20-%20n063%20-%20fevrier%201989%20-%20page076%20et%20077.jpg|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Your Sinclair]]''
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| 9/10<ref name="YSZXSfs">{{cite magazine|last=Gerrard|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-27#page/n66/mode/1up|title=Screen Shots - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Your Sinclair]]|issue=27|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|date=March 1988|page=67}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
| ''[[Zzap!64]]''
| {{N/A}}
| 63%<ref name="Z!64C64fs">{{cite magazine|last1=Rignall|first1=Julian|author-link1=Julian Rignall|last2=Sumner|first2=Paul|last3=Jarratt|first3=Steve|author-link3=Steve Jarratt|url=https://archive.org/stream/zzapp_64_issue_034_600dpi/Zzap640034Hi#page/n10/mode/1up|title=Zzap! Test - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Zzap!64]]|issue=34|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=11}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| 68%<ref name="Z!64AGAfs">{{cite magazine|last1=Houghton|first1=Gordon|last2=Evans|first2=Matthew|url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-048/ZZap_64_Issue_048_1989_Apr#page/n25/mode/1up|title=Zzap! 64/Amiga - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Zzap!64]]|issue=48|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=April 1989|page=26}}</ref>
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
! colspan="8" | Awards
|-
! colspan="4" | Publication(s)
! colspan=4 | Award(s)
|-
| colspan="4" | ''[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]'' (1988)
| colspan=4 | [[List of video games considered the best|Top 100 Games]] <small>(C64/ZXS/CPC)</small><ref name="ACEZXSfs2">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-13/ACE_Issue_13_1988_Oct#page/n48/mode/1up|title=Special: 100 Top Games - Flying Shark (Firebird)|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=13|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|date=October 1988|page=49|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624064156/https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-13/ACE_Issue_13_1988_Oct#page/n48/mode/1up|archive-date=24 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
{{Expand section|date=August 2021}}

According to Tatsuya Uemura, ''Flying Shark'' proved to be more popular than ''[[Twin Cobra]]'' and was "the biggest" hit for Toaplan.<ref name="TFf25v9"/> In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed it on their April 15, 1987 issue as being the fourth most-popular arcade game of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=306|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 April 1987|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to become Japans's second highest-grossing table arcade game of 1987 (below ''[[Arkanoid]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '87 |magazine=Game Machine |issue=324 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1988 |page=20 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19880115p.pdf#page=11}}</ref> and fourth highest-grossing arcade conversion kit of 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '88 ''/ "Game of the Year '88" By Game Machine'' |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=348 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=15 January 1989 |pages=10–1, 26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890115p.pdf#page=6}}</ref>

''[[Commodore User]]''{{'}}s Nick Kelly gave the coin-op a 9 out of 10 score.<ref name="CUserARCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Kelly|first=Nick|url=https://archive.org/stream/CommodoreUserIssue441987May#page/n89/mode/1up|title=Arcades - Flying Shark (Taito)|magazine=[[Commodore User]]|issue=44|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=May 1987|page=90}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]''{{'}}s Clare Edgeley gave an overall positive outlook to the arcade original.<ref name="CVGARCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-067#page/n89/mode/1up|title=Arcade Action - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=67|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=May 1987|page=90}}</ref> ''[[Sinclair User]]''{{'}}s Tim Rolf stated that "it is difficult, but Taito has made it so awesomely playable that the difficulty is a real joy".<ref name="SUARCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Rolf|first=Tim|url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-062#page/n82/mode/1up|title=Banzai! - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Sinclair User]]|issue=62|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=May 1987|page=83}}</ref> In contrast, Teresa Maughan gave a more mixed outlook to the arcade version.<ref name="YSARCfs">{{cite magazine|last=Maughan|first=Teresa|url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-21#page/n79/mode/1up|title=Slots Of Fun - Flying Shark|magazine=[[Your Sinclair]]|issue=21|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|date=September 1987|page=80}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine praised the gameplay, visuals and music, claiming that "Toaplan arguably perfected the vertical shoot 'em up with this early effort", though the publication lamented it never received a proper conversion.<ref name="EDGEARCfs">{{cite magazine |date=July 1994 |title=Retroview - Flying Shark |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/45/Edge_UK_010.pdf#page=80 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=10 |page=80}}</ref> In a 2010 interview, composer [[Manabu Namiki]] regarded ''Flying Shark'' as one of the shoot 'em up games he enjoys the most.<ref name="STGv1">{{cite magazine|author=GERTRACK!|title=Geki On! > Shooting Game Music & Shooting Game Video ARCHIVE:【ゲーム音楽】ベイシスケイプ作曲家インタビュー|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=1|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=17 October 2010|pages=88–95|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373486}} ([http://shmuplations.com/basiscape/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914184041/http://shmuplations.com/basiscape/|date=2019-09-14}}).</ref>

Yaegaki Nachi of Japanese magazine ''Oh!X'' gave the X68000 conversion a positive review.<ref name="Oh!XX68Kfs">{{cite magazine|last=Nachi|first=Yaegaki|url=https://archive.org/stream/OhX1990-1995/Oh%21X_1992-01#page/n37/mode/2up|title=The Softouch — Game Review: 飛翔鮫|magazine=[[:ja:Oh!X|Oh!X]]|issue=118|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=January 1992|pages=36–37|lang=ja}}</ref> German magazine ''MAN!AC'' gave the FM Towns Marty port a 47% score.<ref name="M!FMTfs">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/MANIAC.N009.1994.07-DURiAN#page/n42/mode/1up|title=Feature - Der Japanische Wahnsinn: Flying Shark|magazine=[[:de:M! Games|MAN!AC]]|issue=9|publisher=Cybermedia|date=July 1994|page=43|lang=de}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
A sequel, titled ''[[Fire Shark]]'' (known in Japan as ''Same! Same! Same!'') was launched in 1989. Its main character, Schneider, later re-appears in ''[[Batsugun]]''.<ref name="FShg101"/> In more recent years, the rights to ''Flying Shark'', its successor and many other [[Intellectual property|IP]]s from [[Toaplan]] are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after ''[[Truxton (video game)|Truxton]]''{{'}}s Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by former Toaplan employee Masahiro Yuge, and is part of [[Embracer Group]] since 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|title=ライセンス事業|publisher=TATSUJIN Co., Ltd.|date=2019|access-date=2020-05-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225203847/http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|archive-date=2018-12-25|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|title=Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan|publisher=Gamercafe|date=12 September 2018|access-date=2020-05-10|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030437/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|title=Tatsujin, los dueños de Toaplan, anuncian que están trabajando para exA-Arcadia|publisher=Gamercafe|date=25 January 2019|access-date=2020-05-10|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031057/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|title=［JAEPO2019］TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介|work=[[4Gamer.net]]|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=26 January 2019|access-date=2020-05-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031252/https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Embracer Group Announces the 11[th] Operating Group: Embracer Freemode |url=https://embracer.com/releases/embracer-group-announces-the-11th-operating-group-embracer-freemode/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Embracer Group |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/567432-flying-shark ''Flying Shark''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7833 ''Flying Shark''] at [[Killer List of Videogames]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/sky-shark ''Sky Shark''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Toaplan|state=expanded}}
{{Portal bar|1980s|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flying Shark}}
[[Category:1987 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Romstar games]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]
[[Category:Taito games]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Toaplan games]]
[[Category:Vertically scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Masahiro Yuge]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tatsuya Uemura]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tim Follin]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]