Over 20 years later, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will finally see the light of day this summer

With how popular Shantae has become over the years, it’s surprising to learn that one of the games in the series was actually cancelled over 20 years ago. Despite that, Wayforward didn’t give up and would revive the project many years later to create a long-lost interquel for the series. Finally, the wait is over, and Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be seeing the light of day this summer for modern platforms. Interestingly, a Game Boy Advance Port was released last month, but I guess the fervor around the Nintendo Switch 2’s unveiling overshadowed that.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will, essentially, be an upres of that GBA version with reworked art and sprites. Bearing an art style similar to Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, the game takes place between the original and Risky’s Revenge and will see Shantae working to thwart Risky Boots once again. Along the way, she’ll encounter new friends and foes and learn new abilities that will aid her in her adventure. The HD version of this game will feature a classic mode, which replicates the GBA’s visual palette, and a modern mode with crisper sprites and portraits. There is also a multiplayer battle mode that utilizes the full screen, something that is very clearly not possible on Nintendo’s now ancient handheld.

 

 

Development for Risky’s Revolution began back in 2002 after the original Shantae hit the Game Boy Color. Due to the poor sales of the original, developer Wayforward couldn’t find a publisher and would shelf the project in 2004. While the series would eventually be resurrected in 2010 and then go on to generate a cult following, Risky Revolution remained a mystery. Wayforward then announced in 2023 that it would be reviving the project with the intent of finishing the lost chapter of Shantae’s saga.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch this summer.

 

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