Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Innovative platformer for DSi loaded with sexy girls.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Shantae: Risky's Revenge
What's It About?
SHANTAE: RISKY'S REVENGE is the long-awaited sequel to Shantae, a much-loved platformer released for Game Boy Color nearly a decade ago. It follows the story of a sexy half-genie who uses her hair as a whip to beat up enemies including skeletons, zombies, and pirates. She can also shape-shift into animals -- like an elephant -- to gain access to new areas in the game, and players can buy special attack abilities such as spiked balls and fiery magic. Parents should note that it's only available for the Nintendo DSi; kids with older model DS consoles that don't have access to the web-based DSi Shop will not be able to purchase it.
Is It Any Good?
There's a lot to like about this polished, innovative platformer. Its lush environments are alive with colorful vegetation, beautifully drawn structures, and detailed characters, making it one of the prettiest downloadable games yet developed for the DSi. What's more, some parts of the game allow players to not just move left and right but also use special pads to dive deeper into the screen to explore-able areas that can be seen in the background. It's a clever way to avoid repetitive side-scrolling navigation.
However, this layered effect also makes it easy to get lost in some places. It can be easy for a player to lose track of where she is and where she needs to go next in order to progress. This, combined with some needlessly juvenile humor, keeps Shantae: Risky's Revenge from becoming the exceptional platformer it could have been. It's one of the best downloadable DSi games to date, but it's not perfect.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about women in games. Can a highly sexualized female character be a good role model for girls?
Families can also discuss violence in games. What criteria do you use in determining whether a game is too violent for the children in your family?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo DSi
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Way Forward
- Release date : October 3, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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