Ken McKown writes:The Shantae series is one of the lesser-known gems from Nintendo’s handhelds. Developer WayForward has gone on to make tons of punishing, old-school titles to add to their reputation, but this series always seems to be overlooked when talking about their accomplishments.
WTMG's Leo Faria: "Shantae: Risky’s Revenge clearly isn’t as featured-filled, polished, or exciting as its more modern counterparts, but it’s still well worth your time if you’re curious about the wonderful history of the Shantae franchise, or if you’re just a fan of 2D platformers in general. Why did this specific version need to have a brand new PlayStation 5 build is beyond me, as there is very little in here that justifies it being a “next-gen” game, but that doesn’t affect its overall quality."
Cade writes: "When it comes to video game remasters and ports, there are those that feel pretty half-baked, and there are those like Shantae: Risky’s Revenge - Director’s Cut. This upgraded edition of the second game within the acclaimed Shantae series launches today for the Xbox One and Switch, and it is bringing a bevy of alterations and upgrades with it."
VGChartz's Evan Norris: "Ten years later, Risky's Revenge remains a solid, gorgeous action-platformer. Its map is a mess and it's on the short side, but its reliable gameplay and spectacular sprites carry the day. Moreover, thanks to HD portraits, a fine-tuned fast-travel system, and the new "Magic Mode", it's better than ever."
