Shantae

Shantae is a half-genie who whips her hair (literally) to fight enemies and navigate through Sequin Land, a world packed with towns, dungeons, and secrets. The game’s structure is nonlinear, you gain new abilities like transforming into animals, which open up previously inaccessible areas. The combat is simple but satisfying, and the platforming can get tricky, especially with some difficulty spikes. What really stands out is the personality, the writing is cheeky, the characters are memorable, and the world feels alive despite the hardware limitations. 

 

The graphics in Shantae are straight up the best on the Game Boy Color. The sprite work is incredibly detailed, with smooth animations and expressive characters that pop off the screen. The environments are colorful and varied, from lush forests to creepy caves, all rendered with a level of polish that pushes the GBC to its absolute limits. The art style has this cartoony charm that still holds up today, and the use of color is so effective that it almost feels like you’re playing on a more advanced system. It’s a technical marvel for 2002, and it’s wild how much personality they squeezed out of such humble hardware.

The soundtrack is another banger, with catchy, high energy chiptunes that fit the game’s whimsical tone perfectly. Composed by Jake Kaufman, who later worked on Shovel Knight, the music elevates every moment, whether you’re exploring a town or battling a boss. The sound design is also solid, with punchy effects that make attacks feel impactful. The presentation as a whole is top tier, making Shantae a feast for the eyes and ears.  

Where the game stumbles a bit is in its pacing and backtracking. Since it’s a Metroidvania, you’ll be retracing your steps a lot, and the overworld can feel sluggish to navigate without fast travel. Some dungeons are also frustratingly cryptic, with obscure puzzles that might have you scratching your head. The difficulty isn’t always fair, either, enemies hit hard, and checkpoints are sparse. But if you can push through, the sense of progression is rewarding, and the boss fights are a highlight, each requiring pattern recognition and quick reflexes.  

This gem that deserved way more attention than it got at launch. It’s creative, visually stunning, and packed with charm, even if it’s held back by some dated design choices. It’s easy to see why it spawned a franchise, Shantae herself is an iconic protagonist, and the world is too fun to leave behind.

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