Klonoa heads west

Thanks to Virtual Console releases like Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario World, the Wii already plays host to some of the greatest platformers ever made. The system is about to receive another one, as Namco Bandai today confirmed a North American release for Klonoa, an updated port of the eponymous character's 1998 PlayStation debut, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile.

Set for release this year, Klonoa has players controlling the floppy-eared mascot through 3D worlds, but on set paths that make for fairly 2D gameplay. The Wii revamp will feature updated graphics, as well as the incorporation of motion controls to throw enemies around or to maneuver whirlwinds to slow enemies down. Purists who prefer to play with controls more akin to the original's will have the option of using a Classic Controller or a GameCube pad.

For more on Klonoa, check out GameSpot's review of the 1998 original and the hands-on preview of the Wii remake.