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Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

30 Melee games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse that you should try

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We filtered the 48 games similar to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse down to the 30 that fit the “Melee” category. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Comix Zone top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG
Tags
CozySolo
Year 2014Dev WayForward

Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Comix Zone follow close behind.

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The best melee games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

30 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. Each one has been evaluated across 12 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
RPGAction 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

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
RPGAction 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

Comix Zone
RPGAction 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

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
RPGAction 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

Aztaka
RPGAction RPG
SoloMeleeMagicExploration2DPixel Art
Steam👍 68%· 161
Year 2009Dev CiteremisPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and strong narrative focus, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
RPGAction RPG
SoloMagicMelee2DMultiplayer
IGDB80· 1
Year 2004Dev Jupiter Corporation · Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping precision platforming

10,000,000
RPGAction RPG
SoloMagicMelee2DPixel Art
Steam👍 90%· 2.4KRAWG👍 80%· 45MC67IGDB80· 1
Year 2012Dev EightyEight GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS · Android

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, deep simulation and vibe casual, while skipping precision platforming

Ninja Gaiden
RPGAction RPG
SoloMagicMelee2DCo-op
Year 1988Dev Tecmo

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

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, fantasy world and co op, while skipping precision platforming

Dragon's Crown
RPGAction RPG
SoloMagicMelee2DPixel Art
IGDB81· 11
Year 2013Dev Vanillaware · Nippon Ichi SoftwareOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping precision platforming

KAPITAL PUNISHMENT 22XX
RPGAction 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

The Revenge of Shinobi
RPGAction RPG
SoloMelee2D
Year 1989Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd.On PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Shared with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse: deep RPG systems, precision platforming and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
RPGAction RPG
SoloMelee2DPixel Art
Year 1990Dev Tecmo Koei Games

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

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

Batman: The Video Game
RPGAction RPG
SoloMelee2D
Year 1990Dev SUNSOFT

✓ 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

Chasm
RPGAction RPG
SoloMeleeExplorationPixel Art2D
Steam👍 73%· 2.7KIGDB70· 8OC72· 39
Year 2018Dev Bit Kid, Inc.On PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with roguelike runs, procedural generation and fantasy world, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

STRIDER / ストライダー飛竜
RPGAction RPG
SoloMeleeExploration2DSci-Fi
Steam👍 81%· 4.2KRAWG👍 54%· 333MC78IGDB78· 16OC77· 62
Year 2012Dev Capcom · SEGAPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, setting scifi and setting cyberpunk, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Complete list of melee games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

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