Nintendo Switch Online will be adding two games to its GBA library: Klonoa Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 next week. Read on to find out more about the two gems from 2001.
GBA Games Klonoa and Mr. Driller 2 Brought Into NSO
Dropping on September 25, 2025
Nintendo Switch Online will be adding two gems to its Game Boy Advance (GBA) Classics library on September 25, 2025: Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2. Last appearing as Wii U Virtual console rereleases in 2014, this will be the first time in 11 years since these rare games were distributed officially.
Both Bandai Namco games were initially released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams was the third installment in the franchise, which began with Klonoa: Door to Phantomile for the PlayStation in 1997. The game was an action side-scrolling platformer where players must take on challenges to beat enemies and solve puzzles.
Mr. Driller 2, on the other hand, was a puzzle game released as the direct sequel to the first Mr. Driller game. It was first released in arcade machines, and then ported to the Game Boy Advance.
Members of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can play these rare games along with a slew of other retro titles from the Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, GameCube, and many more!
Clear Klonoa’s Name in Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
First in the list is Klonoa: Empire of Dreams, where players will step into the shoes of Klonoa, a cheerful and brave, long-eared cat-like creature, as he travels to a distant empire whose insomniac emperor has forbidden his subjects from ever dreaming again.
Along with his friend Huepow, Klonoa was charged with dreaming of adventure and must defeat the four monsters that plague their lands as punishment for their crimes. Take down enemies with his Wind Bullet, solve puzzles, collect helpful items such as stars, take on 40 stages, and uncover the secret as to why dreams have become taboo.
Save the World in Mr. Driller 2
Second in the list is Mr. Driller 2, where players must take on the role of Susumu and Anna, two of the best drillers in the world, to save everyone from a mysterious outbreak of blocks. Players will drill through layers of multicolored blocks until they reach safety.
Not all blocks will break, so players will need to be careful that they don’t get buried by accidentally collapsing other blocks or cutting off their air supply. By collecting air capsules, players can recharge and reach their goal safely.
Mr. Driller 2 features three modes: Mission Driller, Endless Driller, and Time Attack Driller. Mission Driller features a story where players can take on the perspective of either Susumu or Anna. Endless Driller has players drilling through an endless layer of blocks until they run out of lives. Time Attack Driller challenges players to reach a certain level within a time limit, where they are given an unlimited amount of supplies due to the absence of air capsules.
Both Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 will be available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on September 25, 2025. To see the other games in the catalogue, check out the article below!
Sources:
Game Boy Advance – September 2025 Games Update
Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics Page
Klonoa 25th Anniversary History
Mr. Driller 2 hits arcades 2000 | Bandai Namco
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams Wii U Virtual Console
Mr. Driller 2 Wii U Virtual Console
