Shantae 2002

Is it still worth playing?

The half genie who guards Scuttle Town sets out across Sequin Land to stop the pirate Risky Boots from taking over the world, in this 2002 platformer for the Game Boy Color. Shantae's basic attack is a whip of her purple hair, and gems from vases and defeated enemies buy items and temporary special moves. There are no level divisions, and areas unlock as she gains skills. Some places only appear at night. The towns have shops, baths that restore hearts and minigames that earn gems. Each dungeon holds a powerful stone and ends in a boss. Pressing Select starts dance mode, where timed inputs unlock moves such as the monkey form, which climbs walls, and the elephant form, which hits hard. Losing a life sends you back to the start of the area. An open world that unlocks as she learns new dances and forms still gives you reasons to return to earlier places.