Non-realistic violence features frequently as Shantae whips her hair at human, animal and fantasy characters alike. They will be thrown back and explode, fade or disappear, or – in the case of zombies – have their heads lobbed off. Shantae herself faces grenades, guns and swords. When struck, she falls back and becomes transparent, then jumps up once more. When defeated completely, she will disappear in a flash.

Sexual posturing is frequent and mild innuendo features in the dialogue. The majority of female characters wear revealing outfits and are often posed in a way which accentuates their cleavage. Stills of female characters undressing also appear.