Review · Action · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · Nintendo 3DS
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
Reviewed: 16 May 2026
Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · Nintendo 3DS · Wii U · PlayStation 4 · PC
WayForward Technologies · 2014
Ludograph rating
Growth (BDS)
43
Risk (RIS)
2
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
9+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.50 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.23 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.55 | |
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse offers engaging action-platforming gameplay with a focus on problem-solving, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking through its interconnected world, puzzles, and diverse pirate item abilities. It encourages reading comprehension through its narrative and NPC interactions, and promotes learning transfer as players master new skills. The game provides a clear sense of progression and accomplishment.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.03 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The game presents minimal risks. While it contains mild cartoon violence and some suggestive character designs appropriate for its E10+ rating, it lacks manipulative compulsion-loop mechanics, monetization pressures, or social risks. There are no features that promote excessive play, spending, or negative social interactions.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 0.33 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.33 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.