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A mixed bag

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: June 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game has charming graphics and one of the best soundtracks I've heard on the GBA. BUT, it has a couple of issues that prompted me to wrote this review. Shantae has received largely glowing reviews on the Internet, but to me there seems to be some fairly major flaws.
1. It is hard to tell what "platforms" you can stand on and what ones you fall through. This is compounded by the fact that sometimes identical looking platforms on the same level differ as to if they are "solid" or not. The game also expects you to make some moderately advanced jumps right off the bat. It seems like an unneccessarily steep learning curve to me.
2. Shantae's attack is a "hair whip" but her hair doesn't seem to "whip" very far and the hit detection seems off. Some enemies also are able to "hit" you by walking into you before your hair can hit them. This makes these enemies in question seem pretty ...
3. I'm only through the second boss and I've had three differant points in the game where I had no idea what to do next. Because as of today there doesn't seems to be any FAQ's on this game, there is the distinct possibilty of being stuck just from a lack of direction. Considering you can talk to three or four people in each village, it would be nice if at least one of them would give some indication of what you are supposed to be doing.
That being said, this game definatly has a fun feel to it, and is at a nice price. It is sort of awkward, because thematically this game seems aimed at younger players, but younger players are the most likely to be stumped or aggravated by the flaws listed above.
I bought Castlevania Circle of the Moon at the same time for a similar price, and in my opinion it is a much better, much more polished game. If you have a Gameboy Advance and the "gore" in Castlevania is age appropriate, I would recommend that instead.
This game seems like it just needed a little more work to be great!

Best Game Boy Game Ever!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: September 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Many people think Shantae is a kiddy game, but that is the biggest lie I've ever heard! Shantae is a game that I love, I was waiting for a month for it to come out. Anyway, Shantae is a game that all kinds of people can like, I even know some boys that like it! Shantae is a creative game that gives you a fun and action packed adventure. In Shantae you will find fun characters, cool bosses, far out items and awsome upgrades! If you don't know as you get closer and closer to your goal you will get the chance to buy new fighter's gear, learn squid dances and learn tranceform dances which alow you to change into a monkey, elephent, spider, harpy and a secret dance, the TinkerBat dance! I usualy hate gameboy music but in Shantae I find the music to be fine, not the best, but not something that will drive you nuts. If you go to GameZone.com you may know that Shantae is a level HARD game but don't let that scare you, I [stink] at video games and even I beat it. Shantae is the funest gameboy game, I kind of wish I was still only part way finished but, you win some, you lose some. The graphics are the best part of the game, this game is said to have the best graphics of any oher GameBoy Color game. There are 3 mini games in the game.I give Shantae a 5 star rating!

Cool and Confused

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 4
Date: September 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is a cool game but they need to print a book on how to work it. Other than that this is a great game and i recommend it.

Cute little game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: September 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Ever since the Game Boy Advance hit the market exactly a year ago, the Game Boy Color titles have pretty much slowed to a virtual trickle. Most people have moved onto the more advanced hardware...rightfully so, but it's a shame if their mentality will sway them away from GBC games from now on. Shantae, actually in development for more than two years, has finally hit the market thanks to Capcom...and while it's no Game Boy Advance-specific production, it's a stunning production nonetheless and Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color gamers alike should not pass this one up. Shantae follows the adventures of a sexy half-genie girl set out to stop the sexy pirate girl Risky Boots from acquiring the relics that will enable her to start the stolen steam engine and rule the land. Players assume the role of Shantae and take her across many different lands, whipping enemies with her hair, collecting money to purchase new attacks and moves. Shantae can walk, run, attack, and, when available, perform dances that will alter her form. This Game Boy Color game is very much like Castlevania and Super Metroid, in the sense that you can only gain access to future portions of the level. Turn into a monkey, for example, and she'll be able to climb up to high platforms and leap higher...but without the ability to attack enemies. Turn into a half-bird type thing and you the sky's the limit. Half the challenge is to know when you'll need to use your powers to get through to the next part of the game. The game also features a bit of strategy, since you can (and should) acquire and utilize offensive and defensive items to get through some of the toughest locations in the game.
WayForward Technologies, the developer of previous Game Boy Color games such as Xtreme Sports, Wendy: Every Witch Way, and Sabrina: the Animated Series, is responsible for this superb looking and playing side-scrolling action/adventure on the handheld. Most of WayForward's previous GBC games have one thing in common: a shared game engine for each of their designs, giving their titles a similar look and feel even though each one is significantly different in their own way. Shantae uses the WayForward GBC engine at its absolute peak, showing off elements that push the Game Boy Color hardware almost into Game Boy Advance territory. You'll find multi-scrolling backgrounds, water transparencies, night and day effects...if this game was released during the prime of the Game Boy Color life, it would have set a serious standard for other GBC developers to reach. The character animations alone are downright stunning...Shantae herself is just a work of pixel art by herself, and each enemy has several frames of animation to their design, offering a smooth, professional look to their motions. But it's not just the look of the game that makes the game such a stunner. Levels are absolutely gigantic with several clever puzzle ideas throughout the adventure. The dynamic day-to-night-to-day effect increases the replay of the levels since hidden items only show up during one of the two time during the day. And it's obvious that the extra time in development has benefited the production of Shantae, so much that the developer created a handful of decent minigames throughout the adventure. And though the game isn't written specifically for the Game Boy Advance, playing Shantae on the newer system will unlock new items, abilities, and brighten the colors up...most GBC games end up a bit darker on the GBA LCD screen, but WayForward adjusts the colors to make them more vibrant on the Advance system. As excellent as the game is, the design isn't flawless. The camera tends to latch onto Shantae, putting her directly in the center of the screen. Since she's a pretty big sprite, it limits the view of the level around her. You'll be forced to do those annoying "leaps of faith" in unfamiliar territory, basically jumping off ledges to reach parts of the level that do not fit on the screen...it would have benefited the game design had the developers given players the ability to scroll the screen around the immediate area. And because some of the levels are just so darn big, the game could have used an automapping feature similar to what Castlevania and Metroid use to orient the gamer.
You've had exactly a year to train those eyes to scan the Game Boy shelf for the "Only for Game Boy Advance" border on the left-hand side of game boxes?but now it's time to teach yourself to look for the "Game Boy Color" border one last time. Shantae is one of the best on the GBC system, and its success on the system pretty much will decide whether or not this genie lass will make it to the big time in the form of Shantae GBAor, even more ambitiously, Shantae PS2, Xbox or GameCube. And you'll be there on the ground floor, able to tell your friends you were a Shantae fan since the very beginning? Seriously,the game is a wonderful platform adventure with excellent puzzle elements, as well as having tons of variety in its level and character design. Shantae looks fantastic as a Game Boy Color game, and pretty darn good on the Game Boy Advance?comparatively speaking, of course. Shantae is in seriously limited release because of the game's lack of familiar branding and lowered demand for GBC product, so get out there and pick this girl up.

best adventure game in gbc history

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

best adventure and game play you could ever wish for this game is a must own go to genie girl .com for screenshots and information this game is a must have this game will never bore you this games rating is 30000000 stars check out this games own website this is the best game i own this game is a must have

im gonna buy this game!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 26
Date: February 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

From what ive heard this a cool game!i mean come on guys capcom are the ones that [partly] brought u the oracle series!IN the game you are the half genie shantae!IN whitch you have to save scuttle town from the evil risky boots.plus if u play this game on your gba you get a secret charecter and level!

Sashay Shanate!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: June 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Shantae will probably be the last game released for the Game Boy Color, and what a game it is! Shantae features colors, animation, and scrolling backgrounds that must push the aging GBC to it's absolute limits. The game is so advanced that it puts many GBA games to shame! But it's not just the technology that makes Shantae so stunning.

The play is multi-layred with over 50 locations to explore, many secrets to be discovered, money to be collected for buying fighting gear, and 3 mini-games. Shantae (a magical half-genie), can also learn dances that change her form. My favorite is the monkey, which lets you jump higher and climb walls. As you play, day turns to night and back again. It's a neat effect pulled off brilliantly in the graphics, but what makes it truly great is that it's not just for show. You actually need to expolre areas at night to gain certain power ups and even to gain access to a hidden level. That level can only be found if you play Shantae on the GBA. That's right, Way Foraward has included a hidden level for the GBA only!

I was also really impressed with the integration of the story. This is not a game where you read the booklet to know what's going on and what your motivation for playing is. As you play the game, scenes take place that will progress the story. Explaining why things are happening, who people are and where you need to go.

The only complaint I have is that the world is so huge, the levels so labyrinthine that I can't believe a map mode wasn't included. So I get lost often, but my wondering has helped me find a few hidden secrets. So it's it's ot all that bad.

Playing Shantae, I was reminded of other greats like Zelda and Castlevania. It's a terrific game that's shouldn't be missed. Buy it quickly though as there weren't many produced and games this good don't stay on teh shelves for long.

Say My Name

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: June 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

You are looking at the last great game for Game Boy Color, and what a game! Sort of a hyrid between the Zelda franchise and Metroid, "Shantae" is the tale of a sexy little half genie's adventure to save her town and prove herself a heroine. The game mixes platform elements and adventure elements quite nicely, and the play control is surprisingly tight for a GBC game. Luckily, for all those who have suffered through playing GBC games on the GBA, "Shantae" comes enchanced for the GBA; brighter colors and an unlocked room. Now now, don't "tsk" away this game because it relies on 8-bit technology, this game has the BEST graphic this child has ever lain his eyes on. Shantae herself is a huge sprite and very well animated at that. It almost looks and feels like a GBA game...but itsn't! I suggested picking this beauty doll right up, it will definately a classic in the end.

A must buy!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I had been waiting for over a year to play Shantae ever since I saw it on IGN.com. It looked like a fresh new game with interesting characters and great gameplay. I purchased the game a few days ago and I have not been disappointed. In fact, I haven't been this impressed with a video game in a long time.

Shantae has lush graphics with a healthy amount of sprites, colorfully and fluidly animated. There are well-developed stages with all sorts of different terrain including mountains, deserts, waterfalls, and forests. You get two doses of palettes because the terrain shifts from day to night and they look superb either way. The towns are fun to explore, and I like the idea that the land is in a world loop.

Gameplaywise, the controls are excellent, the mini-games are fun, and turning into different animals is great. You get to become a monkey, an elephant, and other animals. There are cool weapons that you can buy and new fighting techniques you learn. The mini games such as the Dancing Parlor add to the variety of the game, and it's just too cool to see Shantae shake her booty. I really enjoy the game's music too. It's upbeat and fun, just the way I like it.

Shantae herself is a fantastic character. She looks great, she has a tough, yet perky attitude and she's very likable. The evil pirate Risky Boots, while although the antagonist, is almost as likable as Shantae herself. Overall, I really like the characters in this game. They look fabulous, they have cool names, and they are full of wit. Whoever did the character development for this game sure did their work.

Shantae earns every bit of 5 stars. I can't recommend it enough. If you think Shantae looks even remotely interesting, pick this game up. It's a remarkable game and it's cheap! I found it to provide more entertainment than most Gameboy Adavance games, which are nearly twice the price. Pick up Shantae today!

The best GBC challening game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

It is hard but fun. I like it because it is challeging and not a pushover.There are a lot of locations. Some harder to get than others. It seems like an everlasting game!

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