Long-Lost Shantae Sequel ‘Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution’ Announced by WayForward & Limited Run Games

WayForward and Limited Run Games have announced that Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, the long-lost sequel to the original Shantae, is back in development after nearly two decades. “Building off the original game code from the early 2000s, this once-canceled title will be completed and released physically on a Game Boy Advance-compatible game cartridge.”

Shantae creator Erin Bozon, series director Matt Bozon, and programmer Michael Stragey are back at the helm, “using GBA-era development tools to authentically complete the handheld experience that was planned so many years ago.” Fans can look forward to a full game featuring “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.”

The title was previously only in an incomplete demo form.

The game will fill in the gaps between Shantae (2002) and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge (2010). The following plot synopsis was provided:

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.

Matt Bozon, Shantae series director, said the following regarding this announcement:

“Restoring the lost Shantae sequel has been an incredible adventure! 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!”

You can view the official announcement video for Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution below:

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be released as a physical Game Boy Advance-compatible game cartridge published by Limited Run Games with an estimated release window of early 2024.