Shantae 7 Is Real — Here’s What Actually Matters for Players

Shantae 7 is official – but not close. Here’s why that still matters.

WayForward used the LRG3 2025 showcase to confirm a seventh Shantae game is in development. Matt Bozon showed up, said “it’s happening,” and… that’s basically it: no subtitle, no platforms, no timing. On paper that’s the emptiest kind of reveal. But as someone who’s followed this series since the Game Boy Color days and stuck through Apple Arcade’s staggered rollout of Seven Sirens, this caught my attention because it signals a fresh chapter after a busy stretch for WayForward – and the team has choices to make that will define what Shantae feels like in 2026 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Expect a long wait: with no title or platforms, late 2026 (or later) is realistic.
• Design direction is the big question: Metroidvania like Seven Sirens or stage-based like Half-Genie Hero?
• LRG’s stage suggests a physical release is likely at some point, but not necessarily at launch.
• Watch for signals like a composer announcement (Jake Kaufman or not), engine choice, and whether WayForward repeats any timed exclusivity deals.

Breaking down the announcement (and the non-announcement)

We didn’t get a title card, gameplay, or platform badges – classic “we’re making it” territory. When a studio goes that light, it usually means pre-production or early prototyping. That lines up with WayForward’s plate lately: Contra: Operation Galuga hit this year, the long-lost Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is finally surfacing, and the studio’s a known collaborator on other publishers’ projects. Translation: Shantae 7 exists, but you’re not playing it next year.

Still, this matters. Shantae remains one of the few mid-budget platform/action series that can swing between retro charm and polished modern art. The real news isn’t the tease; it’s that WayForward is choosing to come back to its flagship with a numbered sequel instead of another remaster or side project. That implies ambition — and a chance to fix a few long-standing gripes.

The real question: What kind of Shantae are we getting?

The series alternates between styles. Pirate’s Curse built tight, interconnected stages with a gear-driven moveset. Half-Genie Hero went level-based with gorgeous HD art and revisits. Seven Sirens swung back toward Metroidvania, complete with creature transformations and a bigger map — though its Apple Arcade-first, episodic rollout undercut the pacing for many of us who waited for the full release.

My wishlist for Shantae 7 leans into a confident Metroidvania with modern QoL: a fast, readable map with custom markers, generous fast travel, and difficulty options that respect both speedrunners and casual players. Transformations are the soul of Shantae — keep them snappy on a single input, let us chain movement tech, and build boss designs that actually demand mastery of those forms rather than treating them like keys for gated doors.

Performance matters too. Seven Sirens looked lovely but could feel uneven on lower-end hardware. A locked 60 fps with crisp input across platforms is non-negotiable for a platformer in 2026. And the music question is huge — Jake “Virt” Kaufman’s soundtracks are part of the series’ identity. If he’s back, shout it early; if not, set expectations with a clear musical direction.

Platforms, timing, and the LRG factor

WayForward historically ships Shantae everywhere: Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with the occasional mobile wrinkle. Given the calendar, expect this to straddle generations — Switch’s successor is looming, PS5 and Xbox Series are mature, and PC is a lock. I’d be shocked if Shantae 7 skipped Switch’s next hardware; the series has always fit handheld-friendly ecosystems.

Because the reveal aired during Limited Run Games’ showcase, a boxed edition feels likely at some stage. But don’t assume day-and-date. LRG often follows digital launches with collector’s runs months later. If you’re a shelf-display diehard, great — just prepare for staggered timing and the usual frenzy around premium editions.

As for release timing, the absence of even a subtitle screams “not soon.” Best case: late 2026. Realistic: 2027. If WayForward wants to avoid another platform-timed rollout (like Seven Sirens’ Apple Arcade debut), they’ll need extra time to coordinate a simultaneous launch — which I’d argue is worth it to keep the community playing together.

What players should watch for next

• Subtitle and logo: These usually reveal the thematic hook (pirate gear, sirens, etc.).
• First gameplay slice: Does movement look faster and more animation-driven, or tighter and tech-friendly?
• Composer confirmation: A Virt return would instantly shift fan expectations.
• Engine/performance notes: 60 fps targets, 120 Hz support, and platform parity will speak volumes.
• No exclusivity fine print: A clean, simultaneous launch would fix the Seven Sirens rollout misstep.
• Post-launch plan: Challenge modes, speedrun timers, and accessibility features should be on the roadmap, not an afterthought.

TL;DR

Shantae 7 is happening, but WayForward showed just enough to say “be patient.” The big decisions — structure, performance, soundtrack, and launch strategy — will determine whether this is a comfortable encore or a true evolution. I’m hopeful, but I’ll save my hype for the first gameplay and a platform list that doesn’t split the fanbase.