Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 join Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA lineup on September 25

24 September 2025
Nintendo Switch
8 min.
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Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 join Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA lineup on September 25

Summary:

Two beloved Game Boy Advance classics are joining Nintendo Switch Online’s higher tier on September 25, and they come from a publisher fans have been hoping to see in the rotation: Bandai Namco. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams brings clever puzzle-platforming built on the series’ Wind Ring and floaty hops, while Mr. Driller 2 drops a fast, colorful block-digging challenge with three core modes that still feel crisp today. Access lives inside the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app and requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Expect the usual modern comforts that make bite-size sessions easy—save states, a rewind option in single-player, and online play support in compatible games—paired with a clean presentation and quick load-ins on both Switch and Switch 2. This drop also marks a meaningful shift for the GBA lineup: it’s the first time third-party GBA titles are joining the library, opening the door for more non-Nintendo favorites over time. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to revisit the GBA era with modern conveniences, this is a perfect double bill: one for puzzle-platform fans who enjoy thoughtful level design and one for score chasers who love the “one more run” loop.

Klonoa and Mr. Driller 2 land on GBA for Switch Online on September 25

Circle the date: on September 25, we get two fresh Game Boy Advance arrivals in the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app with Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2. Both are playable with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, and both come from Bandai Namco’s vault, which is a welcome signal for variety in the GBA library. Think of it as a small festival for fans of bright, inventive 2D design—one part puzzle-platformer, one part arcade-style puzzler—arriving just in time for cozy autumn evenings and weekend sprints.

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What arrives and why it matters for the GBA library

We’re not just getting two solid picks; we’re watching the GBA shelf widen in a new direction. Until now, the GBA lineup leaned on Nintendo-published selections. With Klonoa and Mr. Driller 2 stepping in, the door opens for more third-party gems—think cult classics, quirky imports, and series that built their reputations on handheld play. That matters because it strengthens the service’s promise: a living library that feels less predictable and more like the GBA’s real history, where Nintendo and partners shared the spotlight across platformers, puzzlers, RPGs, and oddball experiments.

Access requirements and where to find the games on your system

Getting in is simple: make sure the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership is active, then install or update the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app from the eShop. Once the update lands, both titles will appear in the app’s carousel. On Switch 2 or original Switch, the flow is identical: open the app, tap into the library grid, and select either game to download the small game package. If you like to prep ahead, keep your console in rest mode—it’ll fetch the update in the background so everything is ready the moment you sit down.

Finding the update in the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app

Inside the app, look for the September 2025 update banner. It typically sits at the top row for a few days after release and points straight to both games. If the banner isn’t visible, scroll the alphabetical grid or use the “Recently Added” row. Once installed, each game gets its own tile with a mini-blurb and a launch button. Tap through to see controller notes, suspend point slots, and the option to adjust display settings before you dive in—handy if you want a smaller screen area or a subtle filter out of the gate.

Membership notes and regions to keep in mind

Because these additions sit inside the GBA app, access is tied to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Regional storefronts roll out updates within a similar window, but availability text and ratings icons can differ slightly between regions. If you swap user profiles tied to another eShop region, the library may change; stick to your main region profile for the most consistent experience unless you specifically maintain multiple memberships.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams — what to expect from this puzzle-platformer

Klonoa on GBA is a confident remix of the series’ side-scrolling style, trimming 3D flourish in favor of a lean, puzzle-tinged platformer. The Wind Ring is your anchor: fire a short-range gust to grab an enemy, hoist them overhead, and suddenly they’re not just a threat—they’re a stepping stone. Lob them forward to clear a path, or bounce off them mid-jump for that signature double-jump that feels like catching an updraft. Stages nudge you to read the room: where a block should sit, when a hover will barely carry you, and which enemy makes the perfect springboard.

Klonoa’s core mechanics and how stages flow

Most stages unfold like self-contained puzzles. You’ll scan for star collectibles, crystals, and keys, then line up moves in an efficient order. Blocks can be lifted and placed to build temporary stairways or to hold switches; enemies become tools that extend your reach or clear a lane. The trick is rhythm—grab, throw, hop, hover—done with just enough finesse that you feel clever but not overwhelmed. Boss encounters lean into pattern recognition, transforming the same toolkit into short, satisfying duels that test timing more than raw reflexes.

Starter tips that make early Klonoa stages feel smooth

Treat enemies like portable platforms, not roadblocks. If a jump looks barely out of reach, assume a double-jump off a held enemy is the intended solution. When moving blocks, plan the exit route before setting a piece down; it’s easy to trap yourself into backtracking. Hovering isn’t a panic button—hold jump with intent to eke out a little extra altitude and correct your arc. Finally, collect stars methodically; if a stage feels empty at the exit, you probably skipped an optional nook that hides a heart, a 1-up, or a clean shortcut.

Mr. Driller 2 — modes, pacing, and replay value

Mr. Driller 2 is the neon-bright “one more run” companion to Klonoa’s thoughtful hop-and-toss. The premise: drill downward through layered blocks, manage air, and avoid getting crushed. It’s simple in pitch and surprisingly tactical in play. Colors fuse as they fall, big clusters pop, and you ride that chain to carve safer routes. The sound design still charms—quick blips when you nab oxygen, a heartbeat of tension as air drops—and the controls feel snappy enough that you’ll blame yourself (cheerfully) for every silly mistake.

Mission, Endless, and Time Attack explained in plain English

Mission is the structured run: pick a course with a target depth and drill smart to reach the goal. Endless is exactly that—keep going until your lives run out, chasing a distance or score you can brag about. Time Attack flips the pressure: the clock rules everything, so you’ll collect timers instead of air and cut tight lines to shave seconds. Each mode keeps the core feel, but they create different moods: deliberate tunneling in Mission, meditative flow in Endless, and hot-lap precision in Time Attack when you’re hungry for a quick session.

Simple survival strategies that raise scores in Mr. Driller 2

Route read like a Tetris veteran. When a block falls, it snaps to matching colors; create groups of four or more to auto-clear and reduce the risk of getting pinned. Never drill directly under multi-block stacks unless you’ve planned how they’ll settle. Grab air capsules early rather than flirting with zero—greed loses more runs than it saves. Most importantly, pause for half a second before committing to a drop; one tiny detour can save 20% air and a life. It’s a fast game, but micro-patience pays off.

Quality-of-life features in the GBA app you should use

Modern comforts make these handheld greats friendlier than ever. Suspend points let you hop out mid-run or mid-puzzle and jump back later without friction. A single-player rewind option is available in the GBA app, which is perfect for retrying a missed jump in Klonoa or rewinding an ill-advised dig in Mr. Driller 2 during practice. Display tweaks let you shrink the screen or add a subtle filter for a softer retro look. Use these tools intentionally; they’re there to help you learn faster and enjoy bite-size sessions.

Save states, rewind, and screen options: when they help most

In Klonoa, rewind is fantastic for mastering trick jumps without repeating the entire stage. Set a suspend point before a complex room, experiment with different block placements, and reload if you paint yourself into a corner. In Mr. Driller 2, save states are perfect between Mission stages or before a Time Attack attempt; rewind can teach you how falling colors fuse without the sting of a lost run. As for the screen, a slightly smaller view can make pixel edges look cleaner on big TVs, while handheld play feels great full-frame.

Playing together: how online play works in compatible titles

The GBA app supports online play for compatible games through the built-in Play Online feature. In practice, that means you can create or join a room from the app’s left-hand menu and jump into supported multiplayer modes with friends. The original Mr. Driller 2 on GBA included a versus option via link cable; with the app’s online support in compatible titles, it’s easier than ever to set up sessions without physical hardware. Check each game’s in-app description for specifics on supported multiplayer before you plan a night with friends.

What this drop signals for third-party classics on Switch Online

Welcoming Bandai Namco onto the GBA shelf signals a healthier, more flexible catalog. When partners see their classics spotlighted alongside Nintendo’s own, confidence grows—and so does the chance of deeper cuts making the jump. That could mean more puzzle fare, platformers that skipped earlier services, or region-specific favorites that finally get a wider audience. The best part? Surprise is back. Monthly check-ins feel more exciting when the publisher list isn’t locked to a single logo.

What to play first and who will love each game

If you only have a half hour, start with Mr. Driller 2’s Mission mode to find your footing, then sprint a Time Attack run to feel that “just one more” itch. If you’re settling in for a longer sit-down, begin Klonoa’s opening stages and let the Wind Ring teach you a new language for platforming—enemies as ladders, blocks as puzzle pieces, hover as punctuation. Fans of methodical, satisfying problem-solving will gravitate to Klonoa; high-score chasers and arcade traditionalists will live in Mr. Driller 2. Either way, the September drop is an easy win for evenings when you want color, charm, and quick wins.

Conclusion

Two GBA standouts arrive on September 25 with minimal fuss, friendly modern features, and a quiet milestone: the first third-party pair to join this corner of the library. We get a thoughtful platformer that rewards planning and a kinetic puzzler that rewards nerve, both wrapped in a slick app that respects our time. That combination—variety, convenience, and a hint of surprise—is exactly what keeps Nintendo’s classic lineup feeling fresh month after month. Fire up the GBA app, grab a suspend point, and enjoy the ride.

FAQs
  • When do Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 arrive? — They land on September 25 and will appear inside the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics app once the update goes live in your region.
  • Do I need the Expansion Pack? — Yes. Access to the GBA app that includes these games requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
  • Is there a rewind feature? — Yes. In single-player, the GBA app offers a rewind option alongside suspend points, so you can retry tricky sections without restarting full stages.
  • Can I play online with friends? — The GBA app supports online play in compatible titles via the Play Online menu. Check each game’s in-app details to see which modes are supported.
  • What makes this update notable? — It marks the first third-party additions to the GBA lineup on Switch Online, signaling broader publisher participation and a livelier rotation of classics.
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