Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

WayForward · 2016 · $19.99 · Action · deal grade B

Measured on 2026-10-02 10:05 UTC, 3 days ago. The whole catalog is re-measured daily; a game that just launched can move fast between passes.

Estimated net residual revenue: $210 to $315 per month
Opportunity: $551 per month at x2.10 dormancy
Estimated lifetime owners: 128.0k
90% positive across 2425 reviews · 2.4 reviews/month

Why it's flagged

Developer silent for 2.6 years
Studio active elsewhere (18 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
No Steam discount in 1.1 years (deepest tracked: -65%)

Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Note written 2026-09-12; the live figures above take precedence over any numbers in it.

A 2D Metroidvania platformer starring Shantae, the half-genie hero, built around magic-powered combat and exploration with hand-drawn animation.

Half-Genie Hero occupies a unique niche in the Metroidvania catalog with a devoted, high-satisfaction fanbase (90%+ positive) and steady residual revenue despite near-zero marketing footprint since 2016. The title's modest but stable monthly earnings, combined with WayForward's proven franchise stewardship and the genre's resurgence, make it a viable catalog anchor for a publisher seeking low-risk, evergreen 2D action or a studio exploring IP bolt-on opportunities. The franchise's untapped localization depth (26% gap in Simplified Chinese despite regional demand) and absence of recent discounting suggest pricing power remains intact. Most realistic play: acquisition.

Risk: Metroidvania saturation on Steam and mobile has intensified since 2016; revival would require differentiated positioning or series cross-promotion.
Risk: Eight-year-old codebase may require engine modernization or porting investment to reach console or mobile audiences.
Risk: Developer has posted no public updates in 30 months; degree of active engagement or willingness to support a new owner unknown.

This case as Markdown · Estimates carry ±30-50% error per title.