Shantae fans got an unexpected treat during Limited Run Games’ LRG3 2025 broadcast on October 28th when WayForward chief corporate officer Matt Bozon announced that a seventh mainline entry in the beloved Half-Genie Hero series is currently in development. The announcement came just months after Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution launched in August 2025, proving that WayForward isn’t slowing down with one of indie gaming’s most enduring platformer franchises.
The Surprise Reveal
Bozon opened the announcement by thanking fans for making Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution’s launch a huge success before dropping the bombshell. We’re currently hard at work on a brand new seventh entry in the Shantae series, he stated during the broadcast. The announcement included teaser artwork featuring series protagonist Shantae and her nemesis, nefarious pirate Risky Boots, both sporting subtle revisions to their designs including new hairstyles.
The immediate qualifier that they won’t have anything to share for a while suggests early development stages, but the fact that WayForward felt confident enough to announce the project means active work is underway rather than just conceptual planning. Series director Matt Bozon and his team are leading development, maintaining continuity with the creative vision that has defined Shantae across six previous adventures.
Limited Run Games’ 10th anniversary showcase proved the perfect venue for the announcement given the publisher’s history with physical releases of WayForward titles. The reveal generated immediate excitement across social media, with fans expressing relief that the series continues thriving despite the challenges facing indie developers in 2025’s increasingly crowded marketplace.
What We Know So Far
- Seventh mainline Shantae entry currently in development
- Series director Matt Bozon leading the project
- Teaser artwork shows design revisions for Shantae and Risky Boots
- Both characters feature new hairstyles in revealed concept art
- No title, release date, or platform details announced yet
- Development team emphasized it will be a while before more information
- Follows successful August 2025 launch of Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
The Shantae Series Legacy
Shantae debuted on Game Boy Color in 2002 as one of the system’s final releases, developed by WayForward and published by Capcom. The hair-whipping, belly-dancing Half-Genie Hero carved out a unique identity in the platformer genre with its blend of Metroidvania exploration, transformation abilities, and charming Middle Eastern-inspired aesthetic. Despite modest commercial performance initially, the game built a devoted cult following that sustained the franchise through challenging years.
The series returned with Shantae: Risky’s Revenge for DSiWare in 2010, followed by Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse in 2014. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero in 2016 marked a turning point when WayForward successfully Kickstarted the project, demonstrating genuine demand for more adventures. Shantae and the Seven Sirens released in 2020 as the fifth numbered entry, expanding the formula with Fusion Magic transformation abilities and interconnected world design.
The recent release of Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution in August 2025 represents something unique in gaming – a lost Game Boy Advance title that WayForward developed 20 years ago but never released until Limited Run Games helped bring it to modern platforms. That project’s success undoubtedly contributed to confidence that the fanbase remains strong enough to support a seventh entry.
Design Updates Spark Speculation
The teaser artwork revealing redesigned character models has fans analyzing every detail for clues about the new game’s direction. Shantae’s new hairstyle and subtle costume modifications suggest evolution while maintaining her iconic silhouette that’s defined the character across two decades. Risky Boots’ updated pirate look similarly walks the line between freshness and familiarity.
These design changes could indicate several possibilities. WayForward might be targeting more powerful hardware that allows for more detailed character sprites and animations. The updates could reflect narrative progression showing how these characters have evolved since previous adventures. Or the changes might simply represent artistic refinement as the team continues developing their visual style.
What remains consistent is WayForward’s commitment to hand-drawn sprite work that gives Shantae games their distinctive personality. While many indie platformers have adopted pixel art or 3D polygons, Shantae’s animated sprite-based visuals create a timeless aesthetic that ages better than many contemporaries. Maintaining that approach while incorporating modern graphical flourishes represents the sweet spot WayForward has mastered.
| Title | Release Year | Platform | Key Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shantae | 2002 | Game Boy Color | Hair whip combat, transformation magic |
| Risky’s Revenge | 2010 | DSiWare | Return after 8-year gap |
| Pirate’s Curse | 2014 | 3DS, others | Pirate equipment mechanics |
| Half-Genie Hero | 2016 | Multi-platform | HD sprites, Kickstarter success |
| Seven Sirens | 2020 | Multi-platform | Fusion Magic instant transformations |
| Advance: Risky Revolution | 2025 | Multi-platform | Lost GBA game finally released |
| Shantae 7 | TBA | Unknown | Currently in development |
Genre Evolution Possibilities
One intriguing question is whether Shantae 7 will maintain the Metroidvania structure that defined recent entries or experiment with different approaches. Half-Genie Hero notably shifted to stage-based progression rather than interconnected world exploration, receiving mixed reactions from purists who preferred the exploration focus. Seven Sirens returned to Metroidvania roots with more emphasis on environmental puzzles and ability-gated progression.
WayForward could use this seventh entry to synthesize lessons learned across the series, combining the best elements of different approaches. Imagine interconnected worlds with distinct themed stages, transformation abilities that unlock entirely new gameplay styles, and boss fights that rival the spectacle of modern 2D action games. The technology available on current platforms gives WayForward freedom to realize ambitious ideas that weren’t possible on 3DS or even Switch.
The success of games like Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Metroid Dread has raised the bar for what 2D platformers can achieve in scope and production values. Shantae 7 arriving on platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and potentially Nintendo Switch 2 opens possibilities for more detailed environments, smoother animations, and grander setpieces than previous entries could deliver.
Platform Speculation
While WayForward hasn’t announced target platforms, educated guesses can be made based on the series’ multi-platform history and current market realities. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch (and likely Switch 2), and PC via Steam seem like safe bets for day-one releases. The teaser artwork’s polish suggests development for current-generation hardware rather than compromising for aging platforms.
WayForward has consistently supported Nintendo platforms throughout Shantae’s history, making Switch 2 inclusion virtually guaranteed whenever that console launches. The series’ colorful aesthetic and pick-up-and-play design philosophy align perfectly with Nintendo’s audience. However, recent entries have performed well on PlayStation and Xbox platforms too, demonstrating that Shantae appeals beyond Nintendo’s ecosystem.
PC has become increasingly important for indie developers, with Steam providing sustainable revenue streams through sales and visibility. The modding community around games like Half-Genie Hero shows engaged PC players who appreciate technical options like resolution scaling and uncapped framerates. A simultaneous PC launch alongside console versions seems likely given how standard that approach has become.
The Limited Run Games Connection
The announcement occurring during Limited Run Games’ 10th anniversary celebration wasn’t coincidental. The specialty publisher has released numerous physical editions of WayForward titles including various Shantae games with collector’s editions featuring art books, soundtracks, and exclusive merchandise. Limited Run’s business model of producing limited physical runs for digital-first titles aligns perfectly with WayForward’s indie status and devoted fanbase.
This partnership has proven mutually beneficial, with Limited Run providing revenue streams from physical collectors while helping preserve WayForward games in tangible formats. The LRG3 2025 showcase announced over 25 new physical releases including multiple retro titles, demonstrating the publisher’s commitment to game preservation that extends naturally to supporting new releases from partners like WayForward.
Expect Limited Run to handle special physical editions of Shantae 7 whenever the game launches, likely offering standard releases alongside premium collector’s sets with extras that hardcore fans crave. The company’s track record with previous Shantae releases suggests high-quality packaging and bonus content that makes physical versions worth purchasing even for players who primarily game digitally.
Community Reaction Enthusiastic
Social media exploded with excitement once the announcement hit, with longtime fans celebrating the news while newcomers curious about the series asking where to start. Reddit threads filled with speculation about gameplay innovations, story directions, and whether legacy characters beyond Risky Boots would return. The generally positive reception demonstrates that Shantae has transcended cult classic status to become a respected franchise with a sustainable audience.
Some discussion focused on WayForward’s development capacity, noting that the studio simultaneously works on multiple projects including licensed games for other publishers. Concerns about whether spreading resources too thin might impact quality were countered by pointing to the studio’s consistent track record across 30+ years of game development. If any indie developer can juggle multiple projects while maintaining standards, it’s WayForward.
Nintendo Life coverage highlighted that fans expressed gratitude for the series continuing rather than fading away like many indie franchises that struggle past one or two entries. The fact that Shantae has sustained across seven mainline games, multiple remasters, and spin-offs demonstrates remarkable longevity in an industry where even successful indie properties often get abandoned after moderate success.
FAQs
When was Shantae 7 announced?
WayForward announced Shantae 7 during Limited Run Games’ LRG3 2025 broadcast on October 28, 2025. Series director Matt Bozon confirmed the game is currently in development.
What platforms will Shantae 7 release on?
No platforms have been officially announced yet. Based on previous entries, expect PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and potentially Nintendo Switch 2.
When will Shantae 7 be released?
No release date or window has been announced. WayForward emphasized it will be a while before they have more information to share, suggesting the game is in early development stages.
Who is developing Shantae 7?
WayForward Technologies is developing the game with series director and co-creator Matt Bozon leading the project alongside his team.
What changes are coming to character designs?
Teaser artwork shows subtle design revisions for Shantae and Risky Boots, including new hairstyles for both characters. Full extent of visual updates remains to be seen.
Is this the last Shantae game?
Nothing suggests this is the final entry. WayForward has kept the series running for over 20 years and shows no signs of stopping as long as fan support continues.
What was the last Shantae game?
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution launched in August 2025 as a lost Game Boy Advance title from 20 years ago that was finally completed and released on modern platforms.
Conclusion
WayForward’s surprise announcement that Shantae 7 is in development proves the Half-Genie Hero’s adventures are far from over. After successfully launching the long-lost Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution just months ago, the studio is already hard at work on the next mainline entry under series director Matt Bozon’s guidance. While concrete details remain scarce beyond teaser artwork showing refreshed character designs, the mere confirmation that development is underway gives fans something to celebrate. The Shantae series has survived and thrived across two decades, multiple platform generations, and dramatic shifts in the indie gaming landscape. From cult Game Boy Color obscurity to Kickstarter success to sustained multi-platform releases, the franchise has proven its staying power through quality gameplay, charming characters, and WayForward’s unwavering commitment to the IP. Whether Shantae 7 maintains the Metroidvania structure, experiments with new directions, or synthesizes the best elements of previous entries remains to be seen. What’s certain is that when it eventually launches on whatever platforms WayForward targets, longtime fans and curious newcomers will be ready to embark on another hair-whipping, belly-dancing, transformation-filled adventure with gaming’s most beloved Half-Genie Hero.