Leave it to WayForward when it comes to delivering some of the most colorful and highly playable games you’ll ever see. The long-running Shantae series is an example as it’s consistently been getting release after release of incredibly likable adventures on just about every platform for just about forever at this point. Unlike other projects by the studio that come from contract jobs that end up either getting sequels or not something to be dependent on a third party’s whims, being their property, Shantae is a ball that’s 100% on their side of the court.
Knowing that, a particularly special entry in that series just happened to get released this week. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is touted as the long lost chapter of the franchise, a GBA title originally set to be the bridge between the first game, 2002 Game Boy Color release simply titled Shantae, and its 2010 sequel, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, it ended up not seeing the light of day – up until now, that is. Now that it’s finally out on all consoles and PC, Risky Revolution is a sizable retro package, to say the least.
This release includes what would have been the original release version in all of its crunchy sprite-y glory, as it would’ve been to play on an actual Game Boy Advance, likely through the GameCube’s GBA player, since you’ll probably be doing it on a big screen as opposed to the tiny one on an outdated handheld, as well a local multiplayer mode where up to four half-genies can duke it out, or in Shantae’s case, hair it out – a first for the series. It doesn’t include an online mode which is a shame, given how fun and hectic it is to play. Along with those two a new souped-up, HDfied version.
The latter of those comes equipped with new character portraits and the ability to change our heroine’s costume, if you buy the Deluxe version, that is. Depending on the garb chosen, not only does Shantae’s sprite change, but also her skills, powering up a particular spell. Having played using each of these since the review code included the Deluxe bonus, I can attest that the costumes do play a significant role gameplay-wise, and not simply make our favorite half-genie look cuter.
When it comes to that, the gameplay, it bears mentioning that Risky Revolution is by all means as good as previous Shantae releases, featuring a robust 2D platforming experience that will have you glued to your screen, as Risky Boots, Shantae’s favorite frenemy, is at it again, with another completely bonkers plan to wreak havoc over the islands.
Risky Revolution feels like the game that it was supposed to be, a Game Boy Advance title, coming in from one of the most renowned studios still in existence. WayForward’s usual sense of style and gushing charm are in full effect in this release, and unsurprisingly, is pretty much a must for anyone with a bit of interest in old school platformers.
For historical purposes alone, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution it’s a no-brainer given the fact that it would’ve remained as vaporware if it weren’t for this, even more so considering how good of a game that it is. It’s part of a series that has yet to see a dud in two decades and that record remains as clean as a whistle with the inclusion of this criminally previously unreleased gem of a game. Platformer fans, dig in!
