Shantae is officially preparing for her next major platforming adventure, as developer WayForward has announced a brand new entry in the beloved side-scrolling series. Revealed during a dedicated panel at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, this upcoming title marks the next mainline step for the half-genie heroine, promising a fresh artistic direction and modern gameplay evolution. While details regarding the official title and specific gameplay mechanics remain under wraps, the announcement has already ignited significant excitement within the retro-platforming community.
▲ Official Cover Art (Source: IGDB)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Developer | WayForward |
| Release Window | 2027 |
| Revealed Location | Anime Expo (Los Angeles) |
| Main Protagonist | Shantae (Redesigned) |
| Genre | Action Platformer |
The Evolution of the Shantae Series and Visual Redesign
During their Anime Expo panel, WayForward treated fans to a first glimpse of the unnamed project by showcasing official artwork of a redesigned Shantae. This aesthetic shift suggests a bold visual evolution for the franchise, which has historically balanced pixel art charm with gorgeous hand-drawn high-definition sprites. The developer is known for pushing the boundaries of 2D animation, and a visual update points to a production value that matches modern hardware capabilities, ensuring that the half-genie’s signature hair-whip and dance transformations look more fluid than ever before.
This upcoming project represents the first entirely original, ground-up entry in the franchise since recent years. The last title to hit the market was Risky Revolution, which, while highly celebrated by completionists, was actually a completed revival of a canceled 2004 Game Boy Advance game. By moving past legacy projects, the team can fully leverage contemporary development pipelines to craft larger levels, more intricate transformation puzzles, and a highly polished combat meta that modern platformer enthusiasts expect.
Analyzing WayForward Historical Pedigree and Platforming Expertise
WayForward has established a phenomenal 30-year legacy in the industry, proving their expertise in both original properties and high-profile licensed games. Their work on legendary franchises like Double Dragon, DuckTales, and Adventure Time showcases a deep understanding of what makes classic side-scrolling mechanics feel satisfying. Furthermore, their recent success spearheading the remake of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp for Nintendo Switch solidifies their ability to handle beloved intellectual properties with immense care and technical precision.
▲ Official Artwork (Source: IGDB)
With the core development team returning to their flagship Shantae IP, expectations are incredibly high for the 2027 release window. The series has always thrived on its level design, requiring players to utilize animal transformations to backtrack and unlock secret areas in a Metroidvania-lite fashion. Fans are eager to see if this new entry will return to the segmented island structure of Seven Sirens, the crowd-funded playground of Half-Genie Hero, or forge an entirely new path for the genre.
A bold visual redesign and modern platforming systems will define the next Shantae
WayForward is strategically utilizing the 2027 release window to move beyond nostalgic ports and legacy assets, ensuring this entry is built specifically for modern gaming standards. By introducing a visual redesign, the studio aims to capture a broader audience while satisfying hardcore platforming purists. Gamers should expect optimized performance, refined transformation mechanics, and a creative level design philosophy that capitalizes on WayForward decades of 2D game development expertise.
Final Pulse Score: 8.5 / 10