WayForward has officially announced that Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is launching this summer on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC. Originally developed for the Game Boy Advance in the early 2000s, the game was shelved before completion and became something of a legend among longtime fans.
Now two decades later, this long-lost chapter in the Shantae series is finally making its debut. The game is playable at PAX East 2025 at WayForward’s booth, and there’s a brand-new trailer to go along with the announcement. It’s more than a straight port, thanks to added modes and modern touches.
What’s New in Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Originally built for the Game Boy Advance, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution brings a fully finished version of the game to modern systems. It features the same core content as the GBA build, including story, sprite work, and gameplay—but now rebuilt in Unity by the original team.
The game introduces a land-shifting mechanic that lets you swap between the Front Yard and Back Yard to solve puzzles and explore layered environments. Shantae’s familiar hair-whip, dance transformations, and magic items return, with six creature forms to unlock and plenty of upgrades to collect.
A new four-player local Battle Mode also makes its debut, complete with additional arenas not found in the original version. For returning fans, there’s a Classic Mode that lets you play with the original pixel visuals. Or, you can opt for updated character portraits, menus, and illustrations in the enhanced version.
This is the sixth game in the Shantae series, following titles like Half-Genie Hero and Seven Sirens. A physical version will also be released later in 2025 through Limited Run Games, available in both standard and collector’s editions.
Shantae’s Forgotten Chapter Gets Its Moment
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution isn’t just a retro release—it’s a full game fans never got to experience. If you’re at PAX East, you can play it at WayForward’s booth. For everyone else, the new trailer offers a first look at what’s coming.
The game launches digitally this summer, with physical editions arriving later in 2025 through Limited Run Games.
Will you be jumping back into Sequin Land when it returns this summer?
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