The classic Nintendo platformer Shantae is making the jump to PlayStation consoles next month. Even outside of its large slate of memorable first-party franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo has hosted many memorable video games on its older systems. Thanks to services like Nintendo Switch Online, modern gamers have been able to experience these older titles either for the first time or all over again.Even better, some of the third-party franchises that were once only available on Nintendo hardware have been making the jump to multiplatform, allowing even more players to try them out on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation consoles. A recent example of this would be the Nintendo Switch remake of 1994’s Live A Live that was made available on both PlayStation and PC last month. Now, a certain wish-granting icon of the Game Boy Color era is dancing onto PlayStation systems almost two decades after her first adventure was released.According to original developer WayForward, the Nintendo Switch rerelease of Shantae is being ported to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on June 2. This updated version of the cult Game Boy Color classic will be available at the low price of $9.99. Just like the Nintendo Switch Shantae port before it, this release stays true to the colorful platforming of the 2002 classic while adding modern features like save states and alternative control options. Of course, these new bells and whistles can be disabled for those who prefer the retro Shantae experience.
2002’s Shantae told the story of the titular half-genie as she ventured through the colorful Sequin Land to halt the evil plans of the pirate Risky Boots using mystical dances and powers that she unlocks on her journey. While it was met with positive reviews when it was first released, Shantae had the misfortune of launching a full year after the Game Boy Advance, which severely hindered its sales. Nonetheless, Shantae gained a cult following in later years, which in turn led to WayForward producing four sequels. Shantae and the Seven Sirens launched in 2019 across all major platforms to mostly favorable reviews.
Every Shantae game except the 2002 original has been made available on the PlayStation 5 thanks to updated releases, and now the zany platformer that started it all is joining them thanks to original developer WayForward. Shantae was considered to be one of the best games to be released on the old Nintendo Game Boy Color handheld, and PlayStation owners will finally get to experience this once-unsung gem for themselves when Shantae is released on the PS4 and PS5 on June 2.
Shantae is available now on Game Boy Color and Nintendo Switch. It will release on PS4, and PS5 on June 2, 2023.
