Back in 2014, Shantae And The Pirate's Curse graced Wii U and 3DS, and many hailed it as the best Shantae release yet. Since then, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero saw a release, and while that was met with similar acclaim, some fans were displeased with the slightly more linear direction taken by the gameplay. Now, WayForward has opted to port Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse to the Switch eShop, throwing in a few little extras to sweeten the deal. By and large, this is the same game that released four years ago, but we can confidently say that it hasn’t aged a day.
The story picks up right where Shantae: Risky’s Revenge left off. Our titular hero has found herself robbed of her genie powers and is doing her best to fulfill the role of town guardian in the wake of this. It doesn’t take long for Shantae’s nemesis, Risky Boots, to show up, though this time she isn’t the main villain. The evil Pirate Master - Risky’s old boss - is utilising dark magic in a nefarious plot to return from the dead, so Shantae and Risky make an uneasy alliance to take down this common enemy.
Though the plot is just about as thin as you’d expect, the humor and charm present in the writing throughout the story are top notch. Whether it be a group of spring breakers unwittingly bathing in a dragon’s spit, or Shantae and her friends being kidnapped by a bizarre cult who have mistaken all of them for a missing princess, this is a story that’s as whimsical as it is nonsensical. Each new island will bring with it plenty of new surprises, and you can be sure that this game will seldom take itself too seriously. This lighthearted tone works wonderfully, though, and helps to build a world that organically draws you in.
SATPC is a Metroidvania first and foremost, though WayForward demonstrates its characteristic mastery of 2D action games in nearly every aspect of this game. Shantae primarily attacks her enemies by whipping them with her long, purple hair, but there’s a slew of consumable weapons - such rotating pike balls - that help to supplement this, along with all the upgrades you pick up along the way. The Metroidvania formula is subverted a bit in SATPC, eschewing a single, interconnected world for a series of self-contained islands that can be accessed from a map screen. Fortunately, this hardly makes the game feel any more linear, as you’ll be running between all the islands quite frequently over the campaign.
Though exploration is dialed back a bit by the partitioning of the world, there’s no shortage of things to see and do on each island. Heart squids - such as the pieces of heart in Zelda games - are scattered about the world in hidden and hard to reach places, necessitating a keen eye and a thorough search if you wish to find them all. On top of that, possessed Tinkerbats are scattered about, which have dark magic that you can gather for later use in the endgame.
While searching for these things and solving the various environmental puzzles, you’ll be collecting gems from jars and felled enemies that can be exchanged for upgrades to your various offensive options or healing items for tougher levels. It seems like there’s always something more you can be doing in SATPC; the pace is masterfully crafted to always keep your eyes set on the next thing to collect.
In lieu of Shantae’s genie powers from the other games, our hero wields various bits of pirate gear to get around the map. In all the Zelda-like dungeons on each island, you can find a new weapon, like a flintlock pistol or a scimitar, that will unlock new pathways for you. Longtime fans of the series may feel a little awkward coming to grips with this new style of using powers, but it honestly feels like a better fit for the gameplay than the various transformations of the other entries. Each new upgrade is mapped to a different button and they all fit perfectly in with the tight controls; it’s never felt easier to move Shantae around.
From a presentation perspective, SATPC proves itself to be a shining example of excellence in both visual and audio production, setting a standard for all other retro games to be judged against. The environments of are as diverse as they are colorful, whether it be the bright and lively shores of Scuttle Town or the gloomy and dark crypts of Spiderweb Island.
Spritework for the characters and enemies is extremely high quality, with an amazing attention to detail that imbues nearly everything with a charm and energy that you seldom see in 2D pixel art. Similarly, the soundtrack features some loads of catchy Arabic chiptunes that carry plenty of swagger and style. It all matches the lighthearted look and tone quite well, bearing a kind of quality that goes above and beyond what a typical soundtrack may add.
For this Switch release, WayForward added in a couple minor features that scarcely justify double-dipping on their own but are nonetheless welcome inclusions. Following in the footsteps of Half-Genie Hero, it makes full usage of HD Rumble, and the effect shows up in many clever and cool ways throughout the adventure. It’s little things, like a barely perceptible bump that passes through the controller when Shantae’s feet hit the ground after jumping, that shows a close attention to detail and a real care on the developers’ behalf for that extra immersion factor.
In addition to this, there’s also now a fun arcade mini-game in the upgrade store that costs ten gems per play. The game sees you play as an 8-bit monkey Shantae, and you press one button to time a jump between the two sides of the screen to grab a gem that falls from the sky. If you miss the gem, you die, but if you get enough gems before missing one, the game will pay out the price of admission and more. It’s a minor inclusion to be sure, but it can be a great way of topping off your wallet to snag that upgrade that’s just a few gems too expensive.
Conclusion
If you haven’t gotten around to it by now, this is certainly the best way to play Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse. Tight gameplay, detailed visuals, and charming writing combine to make this a Metroidvania that is a must play for any fans of this genre. We’d give this game a strong recommendation to anybody who hasn’t played it yet and would still encourage veterans to consider double dipping. Though there’s nothing groundbreaking about this re-release, it’s still the same great game that it was before, and the few minor additions are a nice bonus.
Comments 60
Its an excellent game. A big recommandation. I got it on Humble bundle for WII U years ago. Will stay with 1/2 genie hero on Switch.
After all the re-releases, you'd think they would price them cheaper. Oh well. I'll get it when it's on sale
great game, not worth the double dip for me tho
While I wouldn't necessarily agree that it's the best way to play the game considering how beautiful it looks on the smaller 3DS screen, it's definitely my favourite game in the series and I'm really tempted to pick it up again. The only thing holding me back is the price as it's a little pricy considering I've already played it, but I'm sure I'll add it to my Switch collection sooner or later.
I will get this at some point but price is a bit much - once on sale
Absolutely loved this on Wii U and actually felt guilty that I got it for so cheap in the Humble Bundle. I'd have gladly paid full price for it. I couldn't get enough of it when I played it, it was all I played until I completed it. I bought 1/2 Genie Hero the day it came out and came away disappointed with that one. It plays the same but it just felt like a by the numbers game and lacked the character and charm that Pirates Curse has in abundance. I'll buy it again for Switch but not yet, not enough time has passed since I played it.
Love this game. Far better than the newer one.
This is the best Shantae game by far.
That 9/10 is very well deserved and I urge everyone that hasn't already played it, to really consider buying this little gem.
Is the consensus that this is worth picking up before 1/2 Genie Hero if you haven’t played neither?
I might double dip if there is a sale. But I will will pass for now.
I got it for the Wii U and I wouldn't consider it double-dip material.
Already preordered
LOoks like we all got this with the humble bundle
Will I enjoy this more than half genie hero? I don’t really like the level design of going back in with a new ability to find something new. Meh. This is described as metroidvania. That sounds better to me.
Great game, though sadly not one I feel the need to revisit anytime soon.
I've never been able to get into this series. I like Shantae as a character a lot though.
Isn't the monkey mini-game from one of Wario Ware games?
@sandman89 Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is LEAGUES better than Half-Genie Hero, what with the wider assortment of abilities, the large number of explorable areas (there's a bit of backtracking, being a Metroid-esque game, but it's very organic, and the majority of the game is spent exploring new environments), the great character banter, and the great difficulty curve.
As a longtime Shantae fan who was thoroughly disappointed by Half-Genie Hero, I can't recommend this enough. It's the best game in the series, and one of the best platformers/Metroidvanias of the past twenty years, imo.
Looks like it's time to take the plunge, I never did get this on 3DS or Wii U, although I played Shantae on GBC back in the the day as well as Risky's Revenge on DSiWare.
@sandman89 Personally I think The Pirate's Curse is a LOT better than 1/2 Genie Hero. There still is some backtracking to previous areas in this game but since the levels are worlds which don't feel completely linear and don't have a "finish-line", they rarely feel like you're replaying portions of the game you've already completed. They are worlds which you explore to uncover secrets, sort of like an open-world 3D infrastructure but with a 2D platformer. Most of the tedious retread areas (which there aren't a lot) can be skipped with pirate flairs. Add in awesome dungeons, some challenging platforming segments, an interesting story, and awesome fighting mechanics, and you have one of the best Metroidvania-type games in a long time! Definitely give it a go!
Best version? BEST VERSION? Does this one offer 3D boobs? Yeah, I thought so.
Joking aside, it's absolutely the best of the series, I would even say it's almost a perfect game. Definitely among the top 5 eShop games on any Nintendo platform. Just... download it.
Still one of the best game of a classic, now if only they release Risky's Revenge HD to Switch then we had the current trilogy.
Never finished it on the Wii U but this was really good game!!!!
I'll wait until it is on sale for $15, I own a copy for the Switch, Xbox through Gamepass, and WiiU. It is a fun game though.
I have got to pick this up. I'm loving Half Genie Hero but I think I'm a bigger fan of this 16-bit art style.
Question: Can you unlock a naked version of Shantae in the Switch version?
@YamAsereht I'm pretty you know the answer to that
@Ralizah just what I thought but half genie hero kinda put me off that’s all. Thanks
@YamAsereht No, but the naked Uncle Mimic mode was certainly a curve ball.
Any replay value or NG+?
I loved this game way back when I played it. The over-sexualization of literally every female character in this series has strongly pushed me away though.
It’s a fun lil platformer series about a teenage genie.....why is she drawn like that?
I love WayForward. They make amazing games. I just feel like the Shantae series’ character designs actively push me away.
Fantastic art otherwise. Both the hand drawn stuff and the pixel stuff always look great.
Still the best Shantae game. Got it on Wii U in 2014 day one, and it was worth every penny. Agree with this review and wholeheartedly recommend to any Metroidvania fans.
@sandman89 I just hope more people are like you and don't automatically write off the rest of the series because Half Genie Hero was a shallow and repetitive experience.
Although I still made a great choice when I decided to support HGH over Mighty No. 9!
I had mixed feelings about this on Wii U back when it came out. Maybe I'll give that version another shot.
I'll get in once it's on sale since I already have it on 3DS. I don't mind double-dipping on a great game.
@imgrowinglegs Because she's a belly dancer, and belly dancers usually wear that kind of costume and project a lot of sensuality?
Not a bad series but I have never been a fan. I got too many platformers right now to be concerned about getting everything, so it's a pass for me.
Like the character. I’m deep into axiom right now so I may have to switch genres for a bit and then get to this.
@JasmineDragon Okay, I guess that’s an okay reason for a 16 year old to have her boobs out. Still not my cup of tea.
That doesn’t explain why the other girls all dress like that. Especially Rottytops. Wtf? Haha.
I’ll probably buy this game again to have on my Switch, but I’ll definitely groan every time I see the character artwork.
Nope not doing it this time! THIS time I will wait for it to go retail!!
@imgrowinglegs True, the others don't have the same excuse. I don't find it offensive, it's just cheesecake. I doubt that anybody is buying these games for their daily dose of racy content. Believe me, I've been known to speak out when I thought character designs crossed the line from sexy to sexist. I don't feel like that's the case in Shantae. YMMV.
@JasmineDragon Yeah, I guess I don’t find it “offensive.” It just puts me off from the whole thing. Slightly.
Like, enough to complain about it, but I still buy and enjoy the games, haha. I’m just weird.
I will not back away from the popular opinion that Pirate's Curse is the pinnacle of the series, and I too agree with that. The exploration is fun, the gameplay is tops (even though I still want to see Shantae's Magic-focused gameplay get as much love, aside from Half-Genie Hero, which is my second favorite in the series), the soundtrack is heavenly (then again, when has Kaufman ever disappointed?), the dialogue and characters are charming...what else good do I need to say?
Unfortunately, because I own this game on the 3DS and Wii U, I'm going to have to pass it up on the Switch (at least, until it goes down to around...prolly $10). Besides, Half-Genie Hero on my Switch is good enough to give me my Shantae fix.
@Daftbomb I haven't beaten it on Switch yet, but if I'm remembering right from when I first played it on Wii U, there's a 'Pirate Mode' that unlocks when you beat the game that lets you run through the game again from the start with all of your upgrades unlocked.
It's easy to love Shantae when you start with this game.
I'm still waiting for the Half-Genie retail version and the collection.
Tempting to triple dip on this one as Pirates Curse is such a fantastic game. SHANTAE FOR SMASH PLEEEAASSE!!!
@imgrowinglegs "It’s a fun lil platformer series about a teenage genie.....why is she drawn like that?"
Ask Erin Bozon, the woman who created her.
@SmaggTheSmug Hey thanks...maybe I will.
Had it been a trilogy pack, yeah, I might've double dipped. But at this point - no. I got this and Risky's Revenge on Wii U and Half-Genie on Switch...Much as I hate for a series to be on different systems, it's inevitable sometimes.
Will get around to buying this eventually, Half-Genie Hero was the first Shantae game I played and I liked it a lot so this is on my radar. Have a few other games I need to get first though.
Oh man, in that case will wait for a sale. The lack of a naked Shantae, is a serious missed opportunity from Wayforward, and should have been mentioned in Switch reviews. Thanks for replies guys.
MetroidVania? what? how is this metroidvania? There are different levels, each with very little exploration, aside from like a hard to reach room. Most places only need to be revisited once with a new powerup to get 1 thing you couldn't get before.
The game is fantastic, but calling it metroidvania? I guess it's like order of ecclesia, in that you have pretty straight forward mini levels that are selectable on the map.
I ll pick this up for 9.99.
I haven't played a Shantae game before, but I've been meaning to for ages. Between 3DS and Switch, I should have access to all the games, right? Where should I start?
Definitely the best Shantae game, but 1/2 Genie Hero is a lot of fun too. Pirate's Curse is tougher, some of those items are a real challenge to get. But I've been a fan of the series for a long time and enjoyed all the Shantae games I played. Tight platforming and gameplay depth, great music, and just a touch of sex appeal make them infinitely enjoyable.
I have it on Wii u and think its better then Half genie hero. Why? Well, because its still a bit Metroidvania, I like the pixels better and I also like the music better. I also love the pirate items you get in this game.
I have to finish both though. Both the final level. I don't know how Half genie's final level is yet, but I know the final level of Pirate's curse is balls-hard (I probably won't finish that one).
Just got it on sale for $12.99. I've been wanting to give Shantae a try but I never had the money. I also picked up half genie hero so I'll see which one I think is better.
❗The (physical) 3DS version of this Game is so expensive on E-Bay...
@OorWullie which shantae game should I start with
@anoyonmus Pirates Curse is a really great game and can be had for fairly cheap when on sale,so I'd recommend that. I haven't played he newest one but I didn't enjoy Half Genie Hero.
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