The Boot Dash requires a long runway to activate, however, there is a way to do a Boot Dash without having to find a suitable runway. When using the Wii-U gamepad, you can use either the left-stick or D-pad to control Shantae. For some reason, pressing right on the D-pad will override the left input from the left-stick but continue to register as if you're running in a straight continuous line. This allows you to activate Boot Dash on very small runways to gain items and areas that would otherwise be unreachable without other items. To Boot Dash in the left direction, hold the left-stick left and tap the D-pad right over and over to make Shantae shift in place, then simply stop pressing right when activation pops up and Boot Dash. To Boot Dash right, do the same steps as above but instead stop holding down left on the left-stick and continue your Boot Dash with the D-pad held to the right.
Instant Item Selection
When playing the game on a television, you will have to use the WiiU gamepad to select items and switch between the map, item screen and key-item screen. Though this is incredibly handy, sometimes this causes trouble when trying to maneuver Shantae and select a item to use during intense fights that require concentration. For times like these, simply pause the game and switch the play-mode to the WiiU gamepad. While in this mode, when you press the + button you are able to pause the current game and go to your item menu to which you can equip what you need, then jump back into the fray exactly where you paused it.
Pirate Mode
Complete the game for the first time. You will be given the option to play in "Pirate Mode" next time you start a new game file. If chosen you will start a new game but with all of Risky's items already obtained. No health or upgrades from previous game files are carried over however.
Secret Level - Water Dungeon
This secret level can be found within the first labyrinth Spittle Maze on Saliva Island. You will need Risky's boots in order to gain access to this level. When you first drop down into the labyrinth, you'll land on a big step with you're only options being go back up or go right deeper into the labyrinth. You'll need to use Risky's boots and charge into the step, Shantae will charge through a blocked hidden passage way that leads you into a small re-creation of the Water Dungeon from the original Shantae on the GameBoy Color. The graphics and music will change to that of the original GBC game. Shantae and all enemy sprites will remain how they look normally. At the end of the secret level, you will see 3 big jars which will contain 1 Pirate Flare, 1 Super Monster Milk and 1 Auto-Potion.
Skip the entire Palace Dungeon before the final boss
The trick is amazingly simple, at the end of the game in the palace where you have to go up, you can skip taking the left and right paths, simply jump once holding ZR so Risky's hat parachute activates, giving you a little jump height boost when it opens, and then do the 3 well timed jumps using the Risky's cannon and at the end of the 3rd jump use the parachute again for that little jump boost and you'll make it to the platform above you each time and not have a need to take the left and right paths and you'll get to the final bosses room at the top.
True Final Boss - Full-Power Pirate Master
To get the canon ending to the game, and fight the true final boss, you must collect all Dark Magic from the 20 Cursed Cacklebats within the game and then approach the Pirate Master in the Palace as you normally would.
Boot Dash Override...