Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution Review

Introduction

Originally developed for the Game Boy Advance in the early 2000s, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution was shelved for decades—until now. WayForward has restored and completed the game, giving fans an authentic retro Shantae experience powered by modern enhancements. But does this long-lost entry hold up in today’s metroidvania-heavy landscape?

Story and Setting

The game serves as a lost sequel between Shantae (2002) and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge (2010). It follows Shantae, the half-genie guardian of Scuttle Town, as she once again must thwart Risky Boots, who’s trying to use ancient technology to literally rotate the world’s continents.

The pixel-art world is colorful and nostalgic, with witty dialogue, charming characters, and classic 90s platformer energy.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its heart, Risky Revolution is a classic 2D metroidvania, featuring:

World-flipping mechanics – Rotate layers of the environment to solve puzzles and unlock new areas.
Transformations – Shantae’s signature belly-dance transformations return, with new animal forms.
Exploration – Secret-filled maps encourage backtracking and ability-based progression.
Combat – Whip enemies with Shantae’s hair, use magic abilities, and fight quirky bosses.

Despite its retro roots, the game is tight and responsive, with smooth controls across all platforms. There’s a balance between challenge and accessibility, though older gamers may find it easier than expected.

Graphics and Sound

The visuals stick close to Game Boy Advance-era pixel art, but they’re enhanced with widescreen presentation, clean animations, and some quality-of-life improvements.

The soundtrack is a chiptune delight—Jake Kaufman’s compositions are energetic, catchy, and perfectly suited to the fast-paced gameplay.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a beautifully preserved slice of handheld gaming history. It may not reinvent the series, but its creative mechanics and faithful design make it a must-play for fans of retro platformers and newcomers alike.

System Requirements (PC – Steam)
Minimum:

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)

Processor: Intel Core i3-7100 or equivalent

Memory: 4 GB RAM

Graphics: Intel HD 620 or equivalent

Storage: 1 GB available space

DirectX: Version 11

Recommended:

OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)

Processor: Intel Core i5-9400 or Ryzen 5 3600

Memory: 8 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD RX 560 or better

Storage: 1 GB available space

DirectX: Version 12