Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, the latest entry in the excellent WayForward series, has been a long time coming since it was successfully funded on Kickstarter. With a flashy HD engine and a multi-platform launch for the first time, it's clear that it's an important release for the developer.
WayForward has now confirmed that the title will be out on 27th September in North America, with the company tweeting a link to GameStop's US website which is listing the physical retail versions for that date. Thankfully the Wii U iteration is in there alongside PS4 and Vita, while WayForward has also clarified that both the download and disc versions will launch at the same time. The retail edition will be tempting, though, as publisher XSEED recently confirmed that it'll include a CD with 20 songs from the game.
It's certainly welcome news, albeit it's arriving later than previously hoped. Here's hoping the ambition behind this project and the attractive visuals contribute to a stand-out entry in the series.
With thanks to Benson for the heads up.
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Comments (60)
Looking forward for physical copy release, if will be in Europe.
I'm not sure if I like the look of the game, I loved Pirate's Curse but for whatever reason the art style for this game doesn't sit well with me, reminds me of Plants vs Zombies 2
looks awesome !! like any other shantae games !
but why no 3ds port ?
And again, I'm glad to have backed the game. I just need to wait for Yooka-Laylee.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse. Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.
September is going to be such a good month.
The title should read:
"Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is All Set for a September Release on the Wii U eShop and at Retail in the US only."
Splash with cold water, Shantae turns into a girl. Splash with hot water, Shantae returns to the form of a monkey on odd days or crab on even days
@Fezatron
I agree, why DID they remove the pixelated art-style?
I'm excited for this game, I played Pirate's Curse and loved it. Only problem I had was no sense of direction for most of the game, hopefully it's better with this game. Not saying I want it to be linear, I just want to know where I'm going.
Now us Europeans/Australians wait for a release date. Physical too please.
Really looking forward to this. Let's just hope europe receives a physical release, too!
Hooray!
Now hurry with that Euro release!
this is a rare opportunity to grab a physical Shantae game at a comparatively reasonable price.
worth pre-ordering just for that reason.
Sweet! For me, September has a superb lineup: Shantae, a soundtrack, and Sonic!
Yes, I'm looking forward to this game
@peeks They said that they really wanted to go for a HD release, and the 3DS can't handle that.
As a backer, I'm glad this is happening relatively soon. This game will be great on my Wii U.
@Fezatron I feel the same, but I'm planning on getting it (unless somehow reviews come out and claim it's horrible) solely because of how much I enjoyed Pirate's Curse. I haven't played the whole series, but after looking at the different designs they've gone through, I'd definitely say the Pirate's Curse style looks the best to me by far.
@FinnTheWhovian Well, you can download the first two games as well! Even though Pirate's Curse is the best game in the series in my opinion.
I'll be picking this up in September, the Shantae games are pretty fun.
I'm ready for it. I finished all the Shantae games and now I'm ready for shantae's latest adventure this September.
Without a second thought the retail version all the way!! Good job boys!
This is a more accurate headline:
"Shantae: Half-Genie Hero announced for a September release on Wii U eShop and in US retail stores."
Coooool! Take notes, Mighty No 9...this is how its done!
@Ralizah Since when was SMT given a September release date? Everything I've seen still says Summer 2016.
Here's hoping that the physical release will also be available in the UK as well, as it is something I'd really like to have. Whenever there is the option between a physical or digital copy of a game, I always go for the physical copy.
It'd also be nice if we don't have to wait too long for this game to release outside of the US.
I hope it is good. I have a feeling it will get 1 more small delay but I hope it is good lol
@IceClimbers Since Amazon and Gamestop posted a September 20 release date.
@peeks Too much going on visually for the 3DS to handle.
I'm happy.
Cool. It looks like a fun, unique game. I'll hafta pick it up.
Heck ya need me some of that!
I find it hard to resist soundtracks so would like the CD. However, not sure which version to get as I'm sure it will look gorgeous on the Vita.
@Ralizah there's a Mortal Kombat port to the B&W game boy. Everything is possible.
This is very good news, only the other day was I thinking "Still no release date, hope this game won't suffer the same fate as MN9..." and here we have it ^_^ just hope we Europeans get a physical copy too. That's a must have.
Confusing headline.
Hey everybody, don't forget Yooka-Laylee is coming in October!
Retail version would be very nice.
Where's my Shantae? LATER THIS YEAR!
I'm beta testing this on Steam right now, and I'll be getting it digitally as part of my contribution later, but I still want that physical release.
I don't have a WiiU so why am I getting the urge to Preorder?....
Vita is dead and buried. Why the heck
no 3ds?
@Ultimategamer132 Obviously because this is the first release in the series designed only for consoles. I think it's refreshing that they've upgraded to a modern graphics style rather than sticking with sprites in an overused attempt to be "retro."
100% will get this if it comes to Australia. I really hope we get at least one physical Shantae game for 3DS in its lifetime as the 3DS is my favourite Nintendo system since the SNES.
@BulbasaurusRex
I understand that some may want to have a different art-style to represent a step into new console territory, but the pixelated art-style has been a mainstay of the series since the first entry. Either way, we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out in the end.
that box art tho..... eesh
So Christmas for Europe if there are no snags. Yay!
@Ultimategamer132 That's only because all of the previous entries in the series were made for handhelds, with "Pirate's Curse" later ported to consoles. Pokémon did the same thing, starting on handhelds with basic sprites, while the console games in the series are rendered in modern 3D polygons.
Besides, three games doesn't represent much of a trend that absolutely needs to be maintained. The "Metroid" series used sprites for its first four games before moving to polygons for its console entries.
...will probably download it...and then pirate the soundtrack..
I still honestly don't get why Shantae is a supposedly great series. I feel like most play them for the way-too-obvious fanservice. :/
Well that is good news. September should be a great month.
Hopefully Europe will get a physical release as well.
I still think this game didn't need a Kickstarter.
I think I'll get the disc version. Comes with a Cd with 20 songs, probably get it on PS4.
An "HD engine" doesn't mean anything Thom.
That's like saying "high-detail paint". Detail is a function of the brush and the tecnique, not the paint. Same thing here.
@PanicPuppet92 People just enjoy a game that you don't. Thinking that everyone who enjoys the game soley on fan service is pretty shallow. And why are you paying attention to this news if you don't like it?
@Cartoon68
really? There's plenty of games that people enjoy for fanservice.
No need to be a blunt.
I am currently playing through Shantae and The Pirate's Curse and it is fantastic. Bring on more Shantae!
@SpykeKat Yeah, I was worried as well about the lack of information and a release date, particularly with the game originally being scheduled for last year. I'm glad to hear of it's release date and that it will be getting a physical release. I'll be getting the game either way, but I also hope that those of us in the UK/EU/AUS also get a physical release.
@BulbasaurusRex I love the hand-drawn style of artwork they've gone with for the game. I wasn't a fan of the pixel art style used in the previous games and whenever the character portraits would pop up in Pirate's Curse, I always wished that said artstyle would have been utilised for the actual game. It's a different style to Pirate's Curse for this game, but in my eyes, certainly a big improvement over the pixel style.
@Ultimategamer132 I'm pretty sure that the pixelated art style was due more to limitations, given the series debuted on the Game Boy Colour, it's second entry debuted on the DSi, and it's third entry debuted on the 3DS eShop. While I do believe that pixel art can look great (Freedom Planet looks fantastic for instance), I personally don't think the pixel art of Shantae is all that great, and I'm a big fan of the art direction of this latest entry.
@KO-Cub I meant every single person who plays the game.
@FinnTheWhovian : My thoughts exactly! Love to have a shantae disc in the collection!
What I enjoy about this game is that it advances the Metrovania formula in terms of gameplay (the controls are TIGHT!) and 2D graphics. And the music is incredible. A must buy.
Most definitely getting the soft version! Is Jake Kaufman still doing the music?
@MrPuzzlez Yes.
@Cartoon68 Schweet! He did an awesome job with the other games as well as Double Dragon Neon, and Retro City Rampage!
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