Shantae is able to use magical belly dances to cause various magical effects. In Shantae, each dance is a series of dance moves performed in a timed sequence, while in Shantae: Risky's Revenge, the dances are much simplified, with each dance only requiring one move, the moves being cycled by holding down before releasing it when Shantae does the move corresponding to the desired dance. In Shantae: Half-Genie Hero it is done by pressing the dance button then choosing what you want.
Generally, dances are used to make Shantae transform into various animals, but they can also be used to warp her from place to place and even heal herself.
Although her dancing style is certainly mostly fanciful, similarities have been noted with the Turkish Oryantal Dans style of belly dance.[1]Matt Bozon confirmed in a tweet that her belly dancing moves are based on Turkish dance, with elements of Egyptian dance and some more.[2]
This dance are available in their respective games with extraordinary circumstances. The first must have the GBC game be used in a Game Boy Advance and buy it in Bandit Town. The second is available to backers who pledged $55 or more and get it from Tuki.
In Shantae, Warp dances teleport Shantae to the specific town the dance corresponds to. They are acquired by returning four Baby Warp Squids to Warp Squids found in each town.
In Shantae, there is also one additional bellydance, the Healing Dance, which consumes gems to refill hearts. It is acquired by bringing all twelve Fireflies to the Firefly Shrine in Water Town.
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Name
Controls
Description
Healing Dance
Refills Shantae's hearts, costing 10 gems per heart.