IMHO.

Games like Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

If Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is your kind of game, the closest matches are Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut and Yars Rising — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its catchy soundtrack, charming character design and polished platforming mechanics. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.

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Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a 2016 side-scrolling action-adventure from WayForward that combines platform-puzzle-solving with transformation mechanics. Players guide the half-genie heroine through Sequin Land using hair-whip attacks and belly-dance transformations to access new areas and overcome obstacles in a 2.5D presentation. Reviewers highlight the polished platforming mechanics, and players describe the experience as atmospheric and nostalgic, with a catchy soundtrack and charming character design earning particular praise. The game runs verified on Steam Deck and offers a medium-length solo campaign at a standard difficulty level suitable for most players. It holds a 90% positive rating from over 1100 Steam reviews, reflecting broad appeal within its genre.

About Shantae: Half-Genie Hero: Shantae embarks on her first full HD adventure! When a mysterious crime wave sweeps Sequin Land, it’s up to Half-Genie Hero Shantae to save the day! Use Shantae’s devastating Hair-Whip Attack to send monsters flying, or Belly Dance to transform her into more powerful forms!

2016ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck VerifiedMetacritic 76Windowsby WayForward
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero — Steam game cover
Players highlight
Catchy soundtrackCharming character designPolished platforming mechanicsAtmosphericNostalgicPlatform puzzle solving

Players who liked Shantae: Half-Genie Hero also play

Steam players who put hours into Shantae: Half-Genie Hero also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.

  1. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Top pick for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Embark on an all-new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. After losing her magic, Shantae teams up with the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from a curse.

    2015ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Second-strongest match for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

    2014ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Yars Rising

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Third-strongest match for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    From the renowned development studio WayForward Technologies, Inc. (Shantae, River City Girls, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp) comes Yars Rising, a 2D action adventure exploration of one of Atari’s richest, and best known classic titles.

    2024ActionAdventure29.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Ranked #4 for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The ultimate edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero comes with all of the previously released DLC, Modes, and Costumes in one epic collection!  Includes an exclusive Blue Bathing Suit for use in Beach Mode!

    2018ActionIndieAdventure29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. ITORAH

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Ranked #5 for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Discover the world of Nahucan in this 2D action platformer. You are Itorah, the only human in this strange place. Explore, fight and survive to uncover your past and save Nahucan from its biggest threat, a mysterious plague!

    2022ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Indivisible

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Ranked #6 for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Indivisible is a hand drawn action RPG platformer from Lab Zero, creators of the critically acclaimed Skullgirls! Set in a huge fantasy world, Indivisible tells the story of Ajna, a fearless girl with a rebellious streak who sets out on a quest to save everything she knows from being destroyed.

    2019ActionIndieRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #7 for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Join KinnikuNeko, a cat with a bodybuilder's body, in this fun 2D platformer and fight against the mysterious alien invasion. A story full of goofy humor, friendship, drama and action. Its aesthetics are a love letter to 90s anime along with an unforgettable soundtrack.

    2024ActionIndieAdventure17.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. Mystik Belle

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Ranked #8 for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    A colorful pixel-art metroidvania/point-and-click adventure hybrid about magic, cute witches and joys of vandalism.

    2015ActionIndieAdventure14.99 USDSteam ↗

Reviewers mention these as similar to Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.

  1. Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Reviewers of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

    2014ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Reviewers of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The ultimate edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero comes with all of the previously released DLC, Modes, and Costumes in one epic collection!  Includes an exclusive Blue Bathing Suit for use in Beach Mode!

    2018ActionIndieAdventure29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Shantae and the Seven Sirens

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Reviewers of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae is back in an all-new tropical adventure! In her fifth outing, the Half-Genie hero gains new Fusion Magic abilities to explore a vast sunken city, makes new Half-Genie friends, and battles the Seven Sirens in her biggest, most thrilling quest yet!

    2020Adventure29.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Curse of Pirates

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Ahoy, matey! How about slicing up some sea beasts and sending a couple of rivals to feed the kraken? Curse of Pirates be a true action roguelike, inspired by Vampire Survivors and Hades! Set sail upon the high seas, gather ye brave crew, and stand firm against the relentless tides of foes!

    2026ActionIndieRPG8.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Cheaper alternatives

Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Shantae: Half-Genie Hero at current Steam store prices.

  1. Terraria

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available!

    2011ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Garry's Mod

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~75% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.

    2006IndieSimulationCasual4.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Lethal Company

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    A co-op horror about scavenging at abandoned moons to sell scrap to the Company.

    2023ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. Left 4 Dead 2

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns.

    2009Action9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. People Playground

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.

    2019ActionIndieSimulation9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Portal 2

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The "Perpetual Testing Initiative" has been expanded to allow you to design co-op puzzles for you and your friends!

    2011ActionAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. Fallout: New Vegas

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Action with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Welcome to Vegas. New Vegas. Enjoy your stay!

    2010ActionRPG9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Undertale

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.

    2015IndieRPG9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Free alternatives

Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.

  1. Doki Doki Literature Club!

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.

    2017IndieFree To PlayCasualFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. Life is Strange - Episode 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

    2015ActionAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Helltaker

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.

    2020IndieAdventureFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. Ultimate Custom Night

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Welcome to the ultimate FNAF mashup, featuring 50 selectable characters and custom difficulties!

    2018ActionIndieFree To PlayFreeSteam ↗
  5. Bongo Cat

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?

    2025IndieSimulationMassively MultiplayerFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. ENA: Dream BBQ

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.

    2025IndieAdventureFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!

    2023IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Indigo Park: Chapter 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Explore the abandoned childhood wonder of Indigo Park! Guided by Rambley the Raccoon, help restore power to the destroyed amusement park while you run from the reason it shut down.

    2024ActionIndieAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗

More from WayForward

Other recommendable Steam games by WayForward, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.

  1. DuckTales: Remastered

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful hand-crafted reimagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time. Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan alike.

    2013ActionAdventureCasual14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. River City Girls

    WHY THIS

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    There's trouble once again in River City, and this time only the girls can save the day! Using a variety of attacks, weapons, and items, these hot-blooded heroines are ready to teach the city’s lowlifes a lesson - either solo or in 2-player co-op! It’s an old-school rumble for a new generation!

    2019Action29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Double Dragon: Neon

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    BRO-TACULAR! Legendary martial artists, Billy and Jimmy Lee return in this creative re-imagining of the classic beat ‘em up, Double Dragon Neon. Fight your way through countless henchmen including Linda and Abobo on your way to rescue the love of your life, Marian!

    2014ActionIndie9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Embark on an all-new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. After losing her magic, Shantae teams up with the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from a curse.

    2015ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. Shantae and the Seven Sirens

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae is back in an all-new tropical adventure! In her fifth outing, the Half-Genie hero gains new Fusion Magic abilities to explore a vast sunken city, makes new Half-Genie friends, and battles the Seven Sirens in her biggest, most thrilling quest yet!

    2020Adventure29.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. River City Girls 2

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The River City Girls are back! Misako, Kyoko, Kunio, and Riki - joined by newcomers Marian and Provie - hit the streets for an all-new beat-'em-up adventure! Team up for local or online co-op and explore a massive world packed with new abilities, enemies, locations, and more!

    2022ActionAdventureRPG39.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

    2014ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Another title from WayForward, the studio behind Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    The ultimate edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero comes with all of the previously released DLC, Modes, and Costumes in one epic collection!  Includes an exclusive Blue Bathing Suit for use in Beach Mode!

    2018ActionIndieAdventure29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Plays great on Steam Deck

Valve-Verified or Playable picks from the similar pool — ready to go on Deck out of the box.

  1. Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Embark on an all-new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. After losing her magic, Shantae teams up with the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from a curse.

    2015ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

    WHY THIS

    Shares a nostalgic mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

    2014ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Yars Rising

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Adventure with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    From the renowned development studio WayForward Technologies, Inc. (Shantae, River City Girls, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp) comes Yars Rising, a 2D action adventure exploration of one of Atari’s richest, and best known classic titles.

    2024ActionAdventure29.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Indivisible

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Indivisible is a hand drawn action RPG platformer from Lab Zero, creators of the critically acclaimed Skullgirls! Set in a huge fantasy world, Indivisible tells the story of Ajna, a fearless girl with a rebellious streak who sets out on a quest to save everything she knows from being destroyed.

    2019ActionIndieRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT

    WHY THIS

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

    Join KinnikuNeko, a cat with a bodybuilder's body, in this fun 2D platformer and fight against the mysterious alien invasion. A story full of goofy humor, friendship, drama and action. Its aesthetics are a love letter to 90s anime along with an unforgettable soundtrack.

    2024ActionIndieAdventure17.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Frequently asked about Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Is Shantae: Half-Genie Hero verified for Steam Deck?
Yes — Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve has confirmed it runs well on the Deck with full controller, text legibility, and default configuration support.
How much does Shantae: Half-Genie Hero cost?
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is listed on Steam at 19.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
What games are most similar to Shantae: Half-Genie Hero?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Shantae: Half-Genie Hero are Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut, Yars Rising.
Who developed Shantae: Half-Genie Hero?
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero was developed by WayForward.

imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

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