Since debuting in 2002, Shantae has built a reputation as one of the most beloved indie franchises in the platforming space. The blend of hair-whipping combat, metroidvania exploration, and goofy, colorful, and whimsical storytelling has carved out a niche of its own.
With each new installment in the series, WayForward has innovated upon the series’ once-standard formula, and Shantae: Risky Revolution keeps that spirit alive by offering a new gameplay that pays homage to its platforming, pixel-based roots.
What makes this release even more captivating is how seamlessly it pairs with the RG34XXSP, a clamshell device that feels tailor-made for GBA titles.
A Long-Lost Chapter Resurfaces
Risky Revolution isn’t just a new entry in the Shantae series; it’s a revived concept that was shelved during the Game Boy Advance era. The first game, simply titled Shantae, is one of the Game Boy Color’s most visually appealing releases, but the game didn’t hit store shelves until an entire year after the launch of its successor, the Game Boy Advance.
Originally introduced as a follow-up to the first game, Risky Revolution comes after the release of the series’ other five entries found on the Game Boy Color, DS, 3DS, and modern consoles for the latest two entries in the series.
For fans of the series, Risky Revolution sits right between Shantae (GBC) and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge (DS), both in story and style. The last two games in the series, Half Genie Hero and Seven Sirens, abandon an ultimately pixel-based 16-bit art style and adopt a less time-intensive art style, symbolic and more closely associated with anime and modern cartoon artwork.
Part of the allure of playing newer GBA games on modern retro handhelds is that it mirrors our past by way of something relatively new. The RG34XXSP and Risky Revolution were both released in 2025, but they utilize and emphasize the vibrancy, gameplay, and style of the Game Boy Advance and its games.
The Shantae series has often flown under the radar, largely due to its irregular release schedule and long gaps between entries. The original game debuted in 2002, but fans had to wait eight years for a follow-up. While the DS and 3DS entries embraced charming pixel art, it has taken until now for a return to the 16-bit, sharp pixel art returned to the platforming icon’s games.
With the long-lost GBA title finally seeing the light of day, the series returns to its rightful playfulness by highlighting the vibrant pixel art that once set Shantae apart in an already crowded platforming genre, and reminded fans what about the series made it stand out in the first place.
The RG34XXSP: A Handheld Made for 2D Gems
Anbernic’s RG34XXSP is part of the latest wave of popular emulation handhelds, but it stands out thanks to its Game Boy Advance SP-inspired clamshell design, sharp IPS display, and perfect 3x integer-scaled GBA resolution. While the device can handle mostly everything from NES to PS1 with ease, it’s really in games like Risky Revolution where it shines. The bright screen, vertical clamshell aesthetic, and portability all combine to create an experience that feels like the original WayForward vision they had first imagined with this game back in 2002 during its initial development cycle.
There’s a tactile joy in closing the lid between play sessions, hearing the in-game music through the surprisingly solid speaker, and seeing that lively pixel art pop off the screen due to its perfect 3x integer scale and clever use of an IPS panel.
What makes Risky Revolution stand out isn’t just the game itself, but that on the RG34XXSP, it fully embraces the vibe of the GBA era and what playing games on what felt like when new releases hit the market.
As far as the game goes, the soundtrack is packed with classic chiptune music reminiscent of other titles from mid-2000s handhelds. The level design is clever and varied, and the art is a masterclass in colorful 2D pixel animation. Games like Risky Revolution feel like an uncommon occurrence in gaming overall. 2D art, wacky takes on long-standing genres, and all for the sake of reviving something that was once lost.
Playing it on modern consoles may be great, but on something like the RG34XXSP, it feels like you’ve gone back in time, only better. You get save states, custom shader support, 3x the amount of pixels in the same space, and even the ability to remap controls to make gameplay more aligned with how gamers choose to make it through their games. It’s the ultimate blend of retro platforming and modern convenience, thanks to a combination of perfect timing from WayForward and community desire for GBA-centric retro handhelds.
It’s the RG34XXSP
While most handhelds can technically run Risky Revolution easily, the RG34XXSP nails the vibe. The physical layout of the device evokes the GBA SP, the very handheld this game was originally destined for. The overall build of the device gives the impression of quality hardware, which has become somewhat of a commodity in the clamshell handheld space.
The RG34XXSP gets it right. At first, the design felt off with it featuring a large forehead, the unexpected inclusion of dual analog sticks, and it’s a little jarring. But the more time I spend with the handheld, the more it all starts to make sense.
Its standout feature is clear: a screen with a perfect 3x integer scale of the GBA’s native 3:2 aspect ratio, something only Anbernic has done previously. But today’s retro handhelds can’t just excel at one thing. While the original RG34XX was best suited for GBA games, the SP’s clamshell design taps into a growing demand for versatile, all-in-one devices. In that context, the analog sticks feel purposeful. The device prioritizes GBA and delivers one of the best displays for it on the market, yet still offers enough flexibility to make systems like the PSP and N64 at least comfortably playable.
Most clamshell handhelds, like the Miyoo Flip and PowKiddy V90S, use a standard 4:3 aspect ratio that’s great for retro consoles, but not ideal for GBA. While those devices offer broader versatility with consoles ranging from Atari to PS2, the RG34XXSP narrows its focus down to a specific handheld from the past and nails it. Currently, no other device is capable of delivering a purely nostalgic and worthwhile GBA SP experience.
Wrap-Up
In the end, Shantae: Risky Revolution is a love letter to platformers that progress with silly stories, so it’s only fitting that it feels most at home on a GBA-based handheld like the RG34XXSP. Whether you’re revisiting the series or diving in for the first time, the combination of this game and a device like the SP sells both and emphasizes what made both great during their time in the forefront of our minds.
It’s not just that they’re compatible, it’s that they complete each other. The RG34XXSP gives Shantae the nostalgic stage she was always meant to dance and hair whip zombies on. And Risky Revolution gives platformer fans the reminder they needed about how great and quirky the genre can be.
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