Nintendo adds Namco classics to Switch Online

The Nintendo has announced that the Game Boy Advance library on the Nintendo Switch Online will be expanded with the arrival of two titles from Namco: Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams. Although the addition is positive for retro game fans, the titles will only be available to subscribers of the more expensive tier of the service, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

The subscription model has been a point of criticism for Nintendo. To access the Game Boy Advance game catalog, players must pay an additional fee on top of the basic subscription. The decision to exclusively place games like Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams in this tier continues to limit accessibility for the majority of Switch Online users, who may not be willing to pay for the full subscription.

Despite the access issue, the titles themselves are welcome additions. Mr. Driller 2, which started as an arcade game, was ported to the Game Boy Advance in the early 2000s and offers addictive puzzle gameplay. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams, released in 2001 for the GBA, is a platform and puzzle game. Both titles have had digital re-releases in the past, proving their enduring appeal.

The games are set to be released on September 25, 2025. The confirmation was made through the social media channels of Nintendo Portugal.

Nintendo Portugal via X: "Mr. Driller 2 and KLONOA Empire of Dreams are on their way to #GameBoyAdvance - Nintendo Classics on September 25."

The arrival of Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams on Nintendo Switch Online is good news for preserving classics from the GBA era. Although the restriction to a more expensive subscription tier is a point of contention, the addition of these titles strengthens the service's retro game catalog.