WayForward have announced Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, a restored Shantae sequel that originally paused development in 2004 for Game Boy Advance. Nearly 20 years later, WayForward will finally release the sequel on its intended hardware.
This particular sequel takes place between the events of 2002’s original Shantae and 2010’s Shantae: Risky’s Revenge. Shantae protects Sequin Land from Risky Boots and her devious plan. The titular protagonist must harness new technology and the knowledge of the Relic Hunters to stop Risky Boots. The upcoming Game Boy Advance title will be released in cartridge form via Limited Run Games in early 2024, and more details are coming soon.
UPDATE – In an official response to a fan on Twitter, WayForward teases that the game may come to additional platforms after development of the GBA version is complete: “After the GBA game is complete, we’ll have plenty of options!”
“Restoring the lost Shantae sequel has been an incredible adventure!” said Matt Bozon, Shantae series director, in a new blog post. “After reuniting as a team, we restored the original game demo, and now are working hard to complete the full game on original hardware! This isn’t a demake or a new retro-style game, but an actual GBA-era title that was lost to time. We paused development in 2004, and now we’re back at it nearly 20 years later with the same tools, hardware, and Link Cables that we were using back then. It’s crazy, it feels impossible, but it’s happening! We’re on a time-travel mission to save Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, and finally bring it to the fans!”
Here’s an overview of the restored sequel, via Limited Run Games:
WayForward Announces Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution reunites the design team of Shantae creator Erin Bozon, series director Matt Bozon, and programmer Michael Stragey, who are using GBA-era development tools to authentically complete the handheld experience that was planned so many years ago. Previously existing only in unfinished demo form, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be released as a full game with all of the hair-whipping, belly-dancing action that Shantae fans have come to expect, along with multiple chapters, numerous towns and labyrinths, six creature transformations, fierce bosses, and a soundtrack by acclaimed composer Maddie Lim, plus a 4-player battle mode.
Filling in the gaps between the original Shantae (2002) and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge (2010), Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution sees Shantae protecting Sequin Land from a twisted new plot orchestrated by her nemesis, the pirate Risky Boots. Using a secret subterranean device, Risky is able to rotate and rearrange the continent, plunging it into chaos and giving her more coastal cities to plunder. Fortunately, by harnessing this technology and the knowledge of the Relic Hunters, players will be able to turn the tables on Risky, giving Shantae new paths through environments and a chance to thwart the villain’s scheme.
