Nintendo Switch Online adds Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 to GBA collection. Are these classics worth the Expansion Pack subscription cost?
Two Namco Classics Break the Nintendo Switch Online Drought
After five months of radio silence on new Game Boy Advance additions, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers finally have something to celebrate. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 just dropped on the service, marking the first GBA expansion since Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones arrived back in April.
While two games might not sound like a massive update, these additions are actually more significant than they appear on the surface. Here’s why these particular classics matter – and whether they justify that expensive Expansion Pack subscription.
What Makes These Additions Special
Breaking the First-Party Wall: For the first time in months, Nintendo Switch Online is adding third-party GBA games. Both titles come from Namco, signaling that Nintendo might be expanding beyond its own catalog more seriously.
Quality Over Quantity: Instead of dumping random games, Nintendo picked two genuinely beloved classics that have aged remarkably well.
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams – The Hidden Gem You Missed
If you’ve never played a Klonoa game, you’re in for a treat. This 2001 puzzle-platformer is essentially what would happen if you took the best parts of classic Mario games and added unique mechanics that actually matter.
What makes Klonoa special:
- Wind Ring mechanic – Grab enemies and use them as weapons or double-jump platforms
- Perfect difficulty curve – Starts accessible, becomes genuinely challenging
- Stellar level design – Each stage introduces new ideas without overwhelming players
- Hidden depth – Optional collectibles reward exploration and skill
The honest take: This isn’t just nostalgia talking. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams holds up better than most GBA platformers because its core mechanics were genuinely innovative. The Wind Ring system creates gameplay possibilities that feel fresh even today.
Mr. Driller 2 – Puzzle Gaming Done Right
While Klonoa might be the flashier addition, Mr. Driller 2 is the kind of game that’ll steal hours of your life without you noticing. This isn’t your typical match-three puzzler – it’s something much more strategic.
Core gameplay loop:
- Drill downward through colored blocks
- Matching colors stick together when they fall
- Plan your moves to avoid getting crushed
- Chase high scores or reach target depths
Why it matters in 2025: In an era of overly complex puzzle games, Mr. Driller 2’s elegant simplicity is refreshing. The rules are simple enough to understand immediately, but the strategy runs deep enough to keep you thinking.
The Bigger Picture: Nintendo’s GBA Strategy
These additions bring the total GBA library to 26 games, but let’s be honest about what that means. Nintendo is drip-feeding content at a pace that feels deliberately slow.
The pattern is clear:
- February 2023: Initial 9 games
- Next two years: 15 more games
- 2025 so far: Just 3 additions (including these two)
What this tells us: Nintendo either has licensing issues with third-party GBA games, or they’re intentionally spacing releases to maintain Expansion Pack subscriber interest. Either way, it’s frustrating for fans hoping for deeper catalog updates.
Is the Expansion Pack Worth $50 Per Year?
Here’s the calculation every Nintendo fan needs to make:
What you get for $50/year:
- 26 GBA games (now including these classics)
- N64 library with some genuine hits
- Genesis games collection
- DLC for select first-party titles
- Online play for retro games
The value proposition depends on your priorities:
Worth it if: You regularly play retro games, enjoy the N64 library, or want the Animal Crossing/Mario Kart DLC that’s included.
Skip it if: You’re only interested in occasional nostalgia hits or already own these games elsewhere.
How These Games Compare to Modern Alternatives
Klonoa vs. Modern Platformers: While we have plenty of great indie platformers today, Klonoa’s unique mechanics still feel distinctive. It’s not trying to be Super Meat Boy or Celeste – it’s doing its own thing, and doing it well.
Mr. Driller 2 vs. Mobile Puzzle Games: This comparison isn’t even close. Mr. Driller 2 offers the strategic depth that most mobile puzzle games sacrifice for monetization schemes. No ads, no in-app purchases, just pure puzzle gameplay.
The Missing Games We Still Want
These additions are great, but they highlight what’s still missing from Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA collection:
Notable absences:
- Golden Sun series – Nintendo’s own RPG classics
- Advance Wars series – Still inexplicably absent
- Third-party RPGs – Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, anyone?
- More Capcom classics – Mega Man Battle Network series
Performance and Presentation Notes
Both games run perfectly on Nintendo Switch, with the usual suite of retro gaming features:
- Save states for convenience
- Rewind functionality for tough sections
- Display options including pixel-perfect scaling
- Online play features where applicable
One minor complaint: The GBA Classics app still feels clunky compared to how smoothly the NES and SNES apps run. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable.
Should You Jump In Now?
For existing Expansion Pack subscribers: Absolutely download these immediately. They’re both excellent games that justify their inclusion.
For people on the fence: These two games alone probably don’t justify subscribing, but if you’ve been considering the Expansion Pack for other reasons, they’re nice bonuses.
For retro gaming enthusiasts: Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is legitimately one of the best platformers on GBA, and Mr. Driller 2 is perfect for quick puzzle gaming sessions.
The Bottom Line
Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA additions might be slow, but when they hit, they tend to hit well. Both Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 are quality additions that show Nintendo is thinking carefully about curation rather than just dumping random games.
The real question isn’t whether these games are good (they are), but whether Nintendo can maintain a release schedule that keeps the Expansion Pack feeling worthwhile. Two games every five months isn’t exactly generous, but when the games are this solid, it’s easier to forgive the wait.
Recommendation: If you’re already subscribed, enjoy these classics. If you’re not, maybe wait to see if Nintendo announces a more robust update schedule before committing to that $50 annual fee.
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