About
Shantae is a series of platformer metroidvania video games created by Matt and Erin Bozon; and developed by WayForward Technologies. In it, you play as Shantae, a half-genie who tries to protect her hometown Scuttle Town and the surrounding Sequin Land from evil.[1][2]
History
The character “Shantae” was created in 1994 by Erin Bozon after coming back from a camping trip. Erin named her after one of the campers there. Matt Bozon then took the character and worked on the world and other characters to go in it.[3] After multiple delays, the game was developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color in 2002.[4]
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge
In 2008, WayForward sent out a newsletter in which they announced they were working on a Shantae game for Nintendo DS.[5] It was later announced, with the title, as part of Nintendo of America’s 2009 holiday lineup, with a Q4 release date.[6] It was delayed, and eventually released on October 4th, 2010.[7]
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse was announced in the November 6th, 2012 edition of Nintendo Power, as coming to the Nintendo 3DS eShop.[21] On June 9th, 2014, an exclusive interview by Nintendo Life with Matt Bozon revealed that it was also coming to the Wii U eShop.[22] It was released roughly two years later, on October 23rd, 2014.[23]
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Funded by a Kickstarter launched September 4th, 2013,[24]Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (sometimes stylized as Shantae: 1/2 Genie Hero) is an upcoming sequel to Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, and continuation of the Shantae games. It was fully funded on September 23rd, 2013,[25] and continued to reach stretch goals until it closed on December 17th, 2014.[26]
Reception
The Shantae series has generally be critically acclaimed all around. Shantae has made it onto multiple top-lists for the best Game Boy games, such as one by Game Informer,[30] and another by GamesRadar.[31] In 2010, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge was chosen for Best Visuals and Best DS Game by IGN.[32][29]Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse was nominated for IGN’s Best 3DS game and Best Platformer in 2015.[27][28]
| Game | Platform | Metascore |
| Shantae | GBC | (N/A) |
| Shantae: Risky’s Revenge | DSi, iPhone/iPad | 85[8]/75[9] |
| Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut | PC, PS4, Wii U | (N/A)/74[10]/77[11] |
| Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse | 3DS, PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One | 82[12]/(N/A)/75[13]/85[14]/79[15] |
Online Relevance
On August 23rd, 2015, YouTube user MowtenDoo uploaded a mashup video (below, right) of the Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse section “Run Run Rottytops” and Terry Crews Old Spice commercials titled “Run Run Bodywash”. It obtained over 1,250,000 views in less than a year. On January 1st, 2016, YouTube user JelloApocalypse uploaded a comic dub by him and user LittleM Mistress, titled “Shantae Fandom”. It obtained over 300,000 views about half a year.
The Shantae series has gathered a notable following. On DeviantArt, searching “Shantae” garners over 10,000 results.[16] On Youtube, the same search brings about 119,000 results.[17] On September 15th, 2013, the /r/Shantae subreddit was created. In two and a half years, it gained nearly 400 subscribers.[18] Fandom presence can be also found on sites such as Tumblr[19] and Twitter,[20] with fanart and discussion.
Shantae For Smash
Shantae For Smash (also known as Shantae 4 Smash, Vote For Shantae, and other names) refers to a campaign to help Shantae win the Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot. As it was taking votes, Shantae emerged as one of the most popular characters. WayForward showed support for the idea, encouraging fans to vote for Shantae.[33]
Search Interest
External references
[1]Wikipedia – Shantae / Accessed July 14th
[2]WayForward Wiki – Shantae Series / Accessed July 14th
[3]Wayback Machine – The Kickstart – Shantae is Back in 1/2 Genie Hero / September 17th, 2013
[4]The Mary Sue – Interview: Shantae Co-Creator Matt Bozon Discusses the Series’ Future & Shantae in Super Smash Bros. / December 2nd, 2015
[5]Wayback Machine – WayForward talks Shantae DS, WiiWare, GBA, and a lot more / March 30th, 2008
[6]Kotaku – Nintendo Updates Holiday Lineup, Reveals New Games / September 15th, 2009
[7]WayForward – Shantae: Risky’s Revenge / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[8]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae: Risky’s Revenge for DSi / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[9]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae: Risky’s Revenge for iOS / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[10]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut for PS4 / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[11]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cute for Wii U / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[12]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse for 3DS / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[13]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse for PS4 / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[14]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse for Wii U / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[15]Metacritic – Reviews for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse for Xbox One / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[16]DeviantArt – Results for “Shantae” / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[17]YouTube – Results for “Shantae” / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[18]Reddit – Shantae Subreddit / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[19]Tumblr – Results for “Shantae” / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[20]Twitter – Results for “Shantae” Accessed July 14th, 2016
[21]Wayback Machine – Latest Nintendo Power cover reveals Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse / November 6th, 2012
[22]Nintendo Life – Exclusive: Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse Is Also Coming to Wii U / June 9th, 2016
[23]WayForward – Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[24]Kickstarter – Shantae: Half-Genie Hero / Accessed July 14th, 2016
[25]Kickstarter – Shantae is FULLYFUNDED! / September 23rd, 2013
[26]Kickstarter – Let’s fill up that Art Museum! / December 12th, 2014
[30]Game Informer – The 25 Best Game Boy Games Of All Time / April 21st, 2014
[31]GamesRadar – Best Game Boy games of all time / March 5th, 2014
[33]Twitter – Vote #ShantaeForSmash nice and easy! / July 31st, 2015