Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

48 Games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse that you should try

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Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is hard to replace: few games combine deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 12 gameplay attributes and found 48 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, Viewtiful Joe and KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX lead the list, with NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound reaching a 92/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Shantae and the Pirate's Curse special.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Tags

CozySolo

Year 2014Dev WayForward

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound — scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. Viewtiful Joe and KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX follow close behind.

#1NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound92 #2Viewtiful Joe92 #3KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX92 #4DAVE THE DIVER87 #5Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master97

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Games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

48 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

92

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2DPixel Art

Steam👍 93%· 2.5KRAWG👍 90%· 20IGDB86· 7OC86· 131

Year 2025Dev The Game Kitchen · DotEmuPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

#2Viewtiful Joe

92

Viewtiful Joe

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2D

IGDB90· 1

Year 2003Dev Team Viewtiful · Capcom

✓ Shared with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse: deep RPG systems, precision platforming and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

#3KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX

92

KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2D

RAWG👍 84%· 44MC83

Year 2000Dev AtlusOn PS

✓ Shared with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse: deep RPG systems, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, while skipping precision platforming

#4DAVE THE DIVER

87

DAVE THE DIVER

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeCozyExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 97%· 150KRAWG👍 87%· 188OC90· 87

Year 2023Dev MINTROCKET · NexonPlaytime ~9hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Nintendo

✓ Shared with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, roguelike runs and vibe casual, while skipping precision platforming

#5Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

97

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeMagic2D

Year 1993Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Tec ToyOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, precision platforming and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

#6ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

86

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeCozyAnimeExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 18KIGDB90· 2OC86· 68

Year 2025Dev Live Wire · Binary Haze InteractivePlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse: deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping combat magic

85

Comix Zone

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeMagic2DHardcore

Steam👍 94%· 18

Year 1995Dev Sega Technical Institute · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, it's known for deep RPG systems, melee combat and combat magic

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, puzzle design and fighting mechanics, while skipping precision platforming

#8Gladiator Guild Manager: Prologue

85

Gladiator Guild Manager: Prologue

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMagicTacticalFantasyMedieval

Steam👍 93%· 1.6K

Year 2020Dev Entertainment Forge · GrabTheGamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, combat magic and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, turn-based strategy and survival mechanics, while skipping precision platforming

#9Super Castlevania IV

83

Super Castlevania IV

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2DDarkNarrativeHorror

IGDB100· 1

Year 1991Dev Konami

✓ Like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, it's known for deep RPG systems, precision platforming and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, dark, oppressive atmosphere and strong narrative focus, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

86

Islets

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeCozyExploration2D

Steam👍 96%· 2.3KRAWG👍 87%· 29IGDB81· 2OC79· 19

Year 2022Dev Kyle Thompson · Armor Games StudiosPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, it's known for deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, open world exploration and fantasy world, while skipping combat magic

#11SteamWorld Heist

85

SteamWorld Heist

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DTacticalSci-Fi

Steam👍 94%· 6.2KIGDB88· 12OC86· 63

Year 2015Dev Image & FormOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and setting scifi, while skipping precision platforming

#12Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

85

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMagicMeleeExploration2DPixel Art

IGDB92· 3

Year 1997Dev Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo · KonamiOn PlayStation 3

✓ Like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, it's known for deep RPG systems, precision platforming and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and horror setting, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

85

Below Kryll

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeExploration2DPixel Art

Steam👍 89%· 105

Year 2015Dev Team KryllPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, it's known for deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

#14Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

85

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMagicMeleeExploration2D

IGDB90· 1

Year 2001Dev Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe · Gradiente

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, precision platforming and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

#15BlazBlue Entropy Effect

83

BlazBlue Entropy Effect

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeAnime2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 35KOC84· 14

Year 2023Dev 91ActPlaytime ~8hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, expect deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, strong narrative focus and punishing difficulty, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse?: The closest game to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and precision platforming. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse?: The three closest games to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse are: 1. NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound (92/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Viewtiful Joe (92/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX (92/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Shantae and the Pirate's Curse's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 48 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is Viewtiful Joe similar to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse?: Yes, very much so — Viewtiful Joe scores 92/100 similarity to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. They share 4 attributes, including deep RPG systems and precision platforming. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse?: The best RPG games similar to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse are NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, Viewtiful Joe, KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX and DAVE THE DIVER. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Shantae and the Pirate's Curse attributes like deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and precision platforming.
How is similarity to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse calculated?: We compare Shantae and the Pirate's Curse against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Shantae and the Pirate's Curse experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.