The idea of Shantae needing to be self-aware and even lightly satirize its own gameplay comes from the fact that it’s clear to see where the series comes from and derives its influence, yet it isn’t actually a part of it, and like Yacht Club’s Shovel Knight, it’s entirely free to go above and beyond its predecessors in scope and approach. isn’t just for the sake of being old hat, it’s so that even while they are presented in interesting new ways, they can also be poked fun at with the game’s precise and self-aware humor. The fact that these “dens of evil” are tucked away on islands themed around ice, deserts, forests, etc. In Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, Shantae and her rival, Risky Boots, are forced to set sail together to stop the resurrection of the titular Pirate Master by finding the “dens of evil” and destroying the monsters within to dissipate the “dark magic” that is allowing him to be reborn. Naturally, Shantae is the perfect title for them, not only because it is their baby, but because it takes so much to actually make a game like it that works. Having worked on Contra 4 and Double Dragon Neon, among others, WayForward is practically the authority on games that are new but play like they are old. No developer could be better suited to make a game like Shantae right now than WayForward Technologies, who have become known as the number one company for recreating classics of earlier generations in the appropriate manner. It’s important to make the distinction between games that are “kid-friendly” and “for kids.” There’s simply no way that someone drew any of these character portraits without expecting DeviantArt users to have a field day with them.
The enormous response generated by a 2D platforming adventure like Shantae, which incorporates elements from classics like Zelda, Metroid, and even adventure titles like King’s Quest is indicative of the growing number of gamers who want new experiences that are still akin to what they grew up playing. And at this point, it’s no surprise as to why a game like Shantae, a brightly-colored Metroidvania that plays like some of the finest titles from the Super Nintendo in every way except for graphics, has the support necessary for sequels, while consistently delivering in a way that garners even more dedicated and vocal support with each entry. While Shantae wouldn’t see a sequel, Risky’s Revenge, for another eight years (a GBA entry had been planned and canned), the release of Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse on numerous systems including the 3DS, PS4, and even Amazon Fire shows that while the core fan base is as enthusiastic as ever, the series is no longer defined by the word “cult,” and can be treated as a well-deserved, unquestioned hit. Not only does the original Shantae look like it was actually supposed to be on the GBA, but the amount of charm exuded by the characters and the expansive adventure offered by the game would result in it becoming easily the most sought-after title for the system in conjunction with its extreme rarity.
The original Shantae was released on the Game Boy Color almost a year after the Game Boy Advance had been on the market, and while sales were low and reception was hard to come by, the burgeoning series was already on the fast track to becoming a beloved cult hit.
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