Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution Review – WayForward’s Lost GBA Gem Returns on Nintendo Switch

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution—the long-lost 'second' chapter in WayForward’s celebrated Shantae series—has finally landed on the Nintendo Switch.

Originally in development for the Game Boy Advance over two decades ago, this installment was shelved for years before its recent unveiling, giving fans a unique opportunity to experience a retro platformer rejuvenated for modern hardware. WayForward, known for its passion for pixel-perfect platformers and inventive gameplay, has forged a devoted following since the original Shantae’s Game Boy Color debut in 2002.

Risky Revolution occupies a distinct place as both a recovered artifact and a freshly released entry.

In bringing this title to the Nintendo Switch and the Switch eShop, the studio faced the challenge of retaining the GBA’s classic feel while introducing updated features to meet today's expectations. At its core, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution presents the series’ signature sidescrolling action.

Players control Shantae as she whips her iconic ponytail at monsters and solves environmental puzzles, blending traditional platforming with her magical transformations.

The familiar cycle of acquiring new forms, unlocking past areas, and discovering secrets remains, but this time, the adventure is centered on a fresh threat to Sequin Land.

Series antagonist Risky Boots unleashes innovative machinery to reshape the land for her nefarious goals, offering one of the franchise’s more memorable plots. Yet, despite promises of modernization, Risky Revolution’s upgrades are subtle.

Notably, director Matt Bozon highlighted the team’s aim to 'modernize with our current sensibilities.' However, the absence of a much-requested map system makes navigation more cumbersome than in previous entries.

Without clear guidance or hints, traversing Sequin Land can feel disorienting, an odd omission given both its genre conventions and the improvements seen in more recent Shantae games. Gameplay-wise, the challenge lies more in exploration and backtracking than in enemy encounters—health upgrades are plentiful, and save points sensible, but the lack of a mapping feature sometimes leads to aimless repetition.

Occasional glitches, such as getting trapped in transformation forms, were observed during early play, suggesting a patch could further refine the experience.

Despite this, longtime fans will recognize and appreciate familiar series traits, from Shantae’s humorous dialogue to her ever-vibrant transformations. One of Risky Revolution’s key new features, a four-player Battle Mode, falls short of expectations.

Local-only play without computer-controlled opponents or online capabilities makes the feature feel unfinished, limiting its appeal for many.

Additional content, such as extra costumes available through the Deluxe Edition, is locked behind a paywall and cannot be swapped mid-game, dampening excitement for completionists. Aesthetically, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution excels at evoking nostalgia.

The GBA-style visuals and vibrant color palette are lovingly recreated, and the soundtrack by Maddie Lim provides catchy new tunes, even if fans may miss composer Jake Kaufman’s past contributions.

A physical cartridge release—now sold out—through Limited Run Games cements its status as a collector’s item. While Risky Revolution stands as a polished and entertaining entry in the Shantae series, its lack of modern conveniences and underdeveloped multiplayer hold it back from true greatness.

For long-time supporters of WayForward and Shantae’s adventures, this release is a welcome throwback.

Newcomers, however, may find other entries in the series to be more accessible.

As it stands, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a solid retro platformer best enjoyed by the franchise’s dedicated fans.

For everyone else, a future sale might be the perfect opportunity to experience this unique slice of gaming history.

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