X
- E10+
- WayForward
- E10+
- WayForward
- E10+
- WayForward
- E10+
- WayForward
Shantae
Released On: Apr 22, 2021
74
7.5
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
74
58% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 12 Critic Reviews
74
58% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Shantae has been kind of the guinea pig for a new emulation initiative. It isn't as in-depth as a Shantae re-release could have been, but the base game itself is still so charming that it's worth a look on Switch even without extra bells and whistles. [Issue #56 – November/December 2021, p. 22]
With the latest re-release of Shantae, the entire series is now readily available on Nintendo Switch. It’s a delightful franchise that’s gone from strength to strength over the past 20 years, and to have the game that started it all easily accessible, with the convenience of save states to help work around some of its more dated elements, is a true joy.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
7.5
63% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
26% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
11% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
7.5
63% Positive
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
26% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
11% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Just finished Shantae and it’s a solid game. A little challenging but not impossible. Had a lot of fun with this and the shorter playtime meant I actually was able to finish the game before deciding I’ve had enough.
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Nintendo Switch
The game is definitely a product of its time; however what the game was able to achieve on GBC hardware is still astounding. In terms of this port, there are great new additions such as a concept art gallery, in game filters, save states, and even the option to choose between the GBC and GBA versions of the game. Still a classic worth playing!
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Nintendo Switch
This conversion job can only be described as excellent and the
improvements made do a great job in updating some of the game's aspects
without distorting its original formula, thus making this something
that's fit for both veterans of the series and newcomers. With the
original's re-release, the Shantae series on the Nintendo Switch is now
complete.
The original Shantae is a lovely little game that too few people were able to experience, so I’m thrilled that it’s available for mass consumption on the eShop. Franchise fans should, of course, jump on this as soon as humanly possible, but folks curious about the series or who just want some GBC nostalgia will enjoy it too.
As a $9.99 download, the Switch re-release of Shantae is a great look at the half-genie’s debut for those who want to check her out. It might be dated compared to the rest of the series, but it’s a nice look back at the classic series we know and love.
After 19 years, Shantae remains an enjoyable adventure, and it's fun to see how the series has progressed. For current fans of the series that never played the original, I absolutely recommend buying it on Switch. However, those that have never played an entry in the series have four other games that will do a much better job showcasing Shantae's strengths. Check those out first and come back to this one.
Shantae is a product of its time, which can be both a good and a bad thing. On one hand, this old Game Boy Color game displays an ambition and quality that outpaced many other games of its time and it easily stands as one of the best releases for that retro platform. On the other hand, it is still a game from 2002, and showcases many of the game design shortcomings one would expect from that time. It’s not a bad game by any means, then, but this is easily a game that we can only really recommend to longtime fans who are curious where Shantae got her start. If you don’t fall into that camp, we’d recommend you pick up one of the later releases and maybe come back to this one later on.
Graphics: 10/10
I was actually debating if game boy color sprites really do deserve a top tier score; After all, we’re talking 8-bit graphics here. But the thing about it is for it’s time? This is easily the most fluid graphics Ive ever seen out **** boy title. The only 8-bit game I can think of that compares to this is Kirby’s Adventure. It’s THAT good, especially considering the limitations.
Sound: 10/10
Music and sound fxs are absolutely top notch. The music especially ended up being super catchy and Im going to eagerly look to see if there’s any OGremix covers of this soundtrack once Im done with this review.
Gameplay: 9/10
If you forced me to give a score on this early on, I would’ve given it a 1/5. But that would have easily been an error on my part.
Here’s the thing; This game was born from the DNA of great NES games of old; Difficult and downright punishing, but once you figure out the flow and have a proper strategy guide? It’s a title you’ll thoroughly enjoy. Once I understood this, I realized this is exactly the kind of title this game was, but for the game boy color instead.
The only complaints I have outside of this is the fact that Shantae gets stun locked for at least an entire second, which really breaks the flow of the game when you get one down, as well as the dancing system which, while fun, leaves you vulnerable if you’re doing it anywhere near enemies and especially breaks the flow of the game too.
But these annoyances are something you can kinda push aside once you get use to this game
Story: 8/10
IIn a village Shantae protects, a pirate steals a new form of technology called the steam engine and she must now obtain 4 items and stop said pirate’s evil master plan.
It’s a very basic story, but what gives this extra points is the way it was written. The writer of this game clearly tried to give some extra life and personality into the characters and it got to a point where I actually enjoyed the lines of dialogue from these individuals. Most of it humorous but still entertaining regardless.
Difficulty: Normal
So I need to clarify on this too; I did use the save states provided by the switch remaster. So including that AND the strategy guide, the difficulty easily goes down to a normal difficulty, especially for my playthrough.
But if you want a more hardcore approach, play this game without those resources because it’ll easily shoot up for a super difficult, if not unforgiving game. There are countless areas where you can easily die or even encounter bad enemy placements that will keep chipping at your health. And without a guide, you’ll be aimlessly wandering around in between save areas. Get a game over deep in an area? Welp guess its time for you to plow through all of that again.
I can’t begin to imagine how frustrating this game likely could have been for some of those who jumped into this game back in 2002
BOTTOM LINE:
9/10
When I finished this game, I gotta admit that I was thoroughly impressed with how much I enjoyed it. Again, the game does have its flaws with its gameplay and difficulty, but this was certainly a game that pioneered the concept of what indie games could do. If you’re on the fence like I was, for sure give this game a shot. It’s easily worth the 10 dollars on the digital stores
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Nintendo Switch
shame the date it was released, this game has everything to be a mark on his time
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Nintendo Switch
Shantae may not be worth the 200$ entry fee, but if you plan to buy it on the virtual console its worth the investment. Shantae borrows a lot of great elements from titles like Castlevania, Metroid, and Zelda with its need for exploring, item based combat , and transforming based platforming. The game is not without faults though, as much of the game is still stuck in the past, with a lot of merciless platforming and exploration that could have easily been better design with a better hint guide and/or map system. Still, Shantae is an ambitious Game Boy Color title that's worth exploring as both a game and IP.
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Nintendo Switch
It looks and play well for a gameboy game,but it still is a gbc **** combat is average at best sometimes enemies don't get hit if you **** levels are varied and there is good amount of enemy variety.Platforming is fun to do and the dungeons are also fun and short. The game has alot of small problems that makes it annoying. There is no map and inorder to fast travel you need to collect items. You can only really fast travel towards the end of the game,this was really **** rhythm transformations were cool but you need to do a dance ever time to transform this was really annoying to do. The last level was disappointing it was very short and average.
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Nintendo Switch
Shantae is a great game for its era. However, it's plagued by one major flaw and a minor design flaw. The design flaw is that enemies spawn on the most ridiculous of places. Even when you think it's safe in some areas. And the glaring flaw for me was that if you wanted to save right in front of the final dungeon (Mount Pointy), and you hadn't learnt any teleportation dances, you're stuck and have to start all over again. No thanks. Although I enjoyed the journey up to that part.
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Nintendo Switch
Summary Genie-girl Shantae is the self-appointed guardian of a small fishing village, Scuttle Town. Living life in a lighthouse rather than a bottle, she's constantly on the lookout for danger. When the nefarious lady-pirate, Risky Boots catches wind of the treasure that was recently unearthed in the village, she launches an attack. To get Scutt...
Rated E +10
for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
Initial Release Date: Apr 22, 2021
Developer:
- WayForward
Publisher: WayForward
Genres:
