Shantae Advance Release Date Window Revealed: WayForward Revives Lost Game Boy Advance Chapter for Nintendo Switch and More

WayForward’s Shantae Advance, the long-lost chapter of the acclaimed Shantae series, is finally set to launch in summer 2025 on modern platforms including the Nintendo Switch.

Developed in the early 2000s, Shantae Advance was originally meant for the Game Boy Advance but was shelved before completion.

Over two decades later, WayForward, in partnership with Limited Run Games (LRG), has revived and completed the title, generating excitement among longtime fans and newcomers alike. Shantae Advance first garnered industry attention when it was officially announced in 2023.

Not only does it represent a significant restoration of gaming history, but it also marks one of the most ambitious retro revival projects to date.

The development team has meticulously reconstructed the original Game Boy Advance code, blending classic gameplay with enhancements designed for today’s players.

In addition to the core adventure, Shantae Advance includes updated features, such as high-definition portraits, improved menus, and a new four-player Battle Mode—the first of its kind for a Shantae game. Players will be able to traverse Shantae’s vibrant world using her signature hair-whip attacks, unleash magical abilities, and utilize various belly-dance transformations like the monkey, elephant, and crab.

The game introduces innovative Front Yard and Back Yard playfield mechanics, offering fresh puzzles and exploration routes.

Classic Shantae characters like Rottytops, Sky, and Bolo return, while players can visit towns, battle in labyrinths, collect upgrades, and thwart the nefarious schemes of series antagonist Risky Boots. While digital players eagerly await the 2025 eShop release, Shantae Advance has already seen a physical release courtesy of Limited Run Games.

The company produced Game Boy Advance cartridges for collectors, making it the largest new GBA run in over 15 years, with 20,000 units manufactured.

However, some customers voiced concerns after receiving cartridges containing used or visually imperfect chips, a consequence of Retro-Bit Gaming sourcing rare FRAM chips to meet the unprecedented production demands.

In a statement addressing customer concerns reported by Time Extension, Limited Run Games clarified: “Due to the sheer volume—20,000 units—and the age of FRAM chips, there’s a wide range in chip appearance.

However, this has no effect on cartridge functionality.

Retro-Bit tested the cartridges extensively across all compatible hardware including GBA, SP, Micro, DS, DS Lite, GameCube player, and Analogue Pocket.

All tests confirmed full operability, and both LRG and WayForward have playtested the game numerous times to ensure quality.” Despite these manufacturing challenges, Shantae Advance stands as an impressive testament to WayForward and Limited Run Games’ dedication to video game preservation and community engagement.

LRG reportedly invested over a million dollars to bring this missing Shantae adventure to life, ensuring both collectors and digital gamers can finally experience it.

As the summer 2025 digital launch approaches, anticipation continues to build for this resurrected gem from the Game Boy Advance era. Stay tuned for further updates on Shantae Advance’s Nintendo Switch eShop release, and for insights into its development journey and reception among fans.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Game Boy Limited Run Games Game Boy Advance Switch WayForward