Klonoa heads west

Namco Bandai remake of mascot platformer's original PlayStation outing confirmed for North American release.

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.

Klonoa and Hewpoe see who can open his mouth the widest.

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.

57 Comments

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 6:07 am PT

    I got into this game playing the GBA one, it was pretty sweet

  • bigcrusha

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 6:07 am PT

    I got into this game playing the GBA one, it was pretty sweet

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    I 've heard the 1st game was great, so I'll keep an eye out for this one!

  • SonicDBZRacer

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    I'm bought.

  • thrashunreal

    Posted Jan 11, 2009 9:03 pm PT

    Man, I really loved this game on PSOne. Can't wait for a re-release.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Jan 11, 2009 12:47 am PT

    not bad at all, should be fun

  • chrisda

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 9:55 pm PT

    i say they should add in the second one as well, seeing as how ridiculously short it was

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Another remake? Man, seriously.

  • Nintend0-BuDDy

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 5:38 pm PT

    yay, Klonoa is one of my favorite game series. I can't wait to see it on Wii.

    oh yeah and SUPRSOLDIER-
    maybe he was trying to show how the series have been in America, don't stress out over something stupid.

  • suprsolider

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 3:59 pm PT

    Well, since we're on the subject of what system a game is released on, how about playstation giving Nintendo back Metal Gear AND Final Fantasy? BOTH of those started out ON NINTENDO (As well as many others) so what's the difference of Klonoa switching?
    ----


    NO METAL GEAR STARTED ON THE MSX2 in JAPAN 1 YEAR PRIOR TO THE BASTARDIZATION OF A PORT CALLED METAL GEAR FOR THE NES.

    Christ I wish people would know their facts before spouting crap.

  • Mothman

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 1:39 pm PT

    The original had an incredibly small run (I think someone told me only 10k or was it 100k were ever printed. I could never find it to buy so I'm happy this one's coming.

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 12:13 pm PT

    played this , and i need to replace the copy and what a better way to do it,

  • bad_boy_sam123

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 11:13 am PT

    played this game constantly on the demo disc i owned.

  • nini200

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 10:29 am PT

    @Division_9

    Well, since we're on the subject of what system a game is released on, how about playstation giving Nintendo back Metal Gear AND Final Fantasy? BOTH of those started out ON NINTENDO (As well as many others) so what's the difference of Klonoa switching?

    Back on topic, this game is going to be awesome. I wonder how would a Jet Moto game control and play on the Wii? Especially using the Grappling hook and boosts.

  • ShadowVari

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 10:01 am PT

    I'm definitely looking forward to this one. I never got the chance to get the first Klonoa, but I have (and love) the second

  • David_Kniffin

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 8:23 am PT

    Awesome. I never got to play Klonoa, but I have played Klonoa 2 and it was cool. Can't wait to check this out.

  • The_Owner

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 8:10 am PT

    Stop with the remakes!

  • Dshenlong

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 7:51 am PT

    I actually rented this when it came out....and I was not dissapointed. The original Klonoa was AWESOME....one of the best platformers for the PS1 in fact.

  • Ra-Devil

    Posted Jan 10, 2009 6:57 am PT

    Why is it when I see Klonoa I always feel like the character is one of those platforming mascots that didn't make it? Like Ty the Tazmanian Tiger, or Blinx, the time Sweeper, and stuff like that?...

  • lewser5

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Hey Namco how about a PSN version! Since it started on PS1 there, its a logical step to make it there too.

  • Fandango_Letho

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 9:17 pm PT

    I remember when I was a kid, I used to see the copy of this game at my local blockbuster, it intrigued me but I ended up never renting it.

    Might give it a shot, this time round.

  • GodsPoison

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 8:55 pm PT

    Aww no psn version of even the original? id buy that!

  • robfield

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 8:48 pm PT

    I want a 360/PS3 Klonoa Namco!...please?

  • unclejohn0525

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 8:45 pm PT

    Oh my god!! This is the best news I've heard all week!

  • division_9

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 7:40 pm PT

    Thanks Namco, despite the fact that Klonoa was originally released on the playstation you decide to leave us in the dust and go for a Wii.

  • ahpuck

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 7:00 pm PT

    i remember this game, it was awesome.

  • Boat3600

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 6:17 pm PT

    WTF SONY!!! Why didn't you jump on this sooner?? Klonoa is one of my favorite characters; you coulda had a remake on PS3! Dammit!!

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    Awesome news. The PS2 Klonoa game was ridiculously entertaining when it came out.

  • zityz

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 5:17 pm PT

    this is one of those "must buys" for me. I also like how developers are giving classic controller options with their games as well, makes for better variety.

  • IsmirZone

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 5:16 pm PT

    I have the PSX Demo only. I also have Klonoa 2 for PS2. This game fits well on the Wi.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 4:35 pm PT

    i remember playing the first one. it was really good.

  • FarmFreshDX

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 4:29 pm PT

    Klonoa is the holy grail of platforming for a lot of 3D platformer aficionados so I hope it does well. It's a really interesting style even on the surface. Okay, so maybe I just thought Presea's Klonoa outfit in ToS was cute. Sue me. ^_^

    In any case, this is one of those games that deserve amazing sales but usually don't end up getting them, which is a shame.

  • livinitup01

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 4:21 pm PT

    I will def get this one. If they advertise it well and the casuals pick it up then they MUST make a sequel. Let's pray this is just something to test the waters and see if the appeal is still there. Klo-Klo's been gone for a long time...

  • star77241

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 3:54 pm PT

    Damn straight.

  • Bart247

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 3:53 pm PT

    About time Namco brought Klonoa back!

  • kbaily

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 3:10 pm PT

    Maybe it's a good time for platformers to make a comback.

  • hime93

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 3:00 pm PT

    Nice. I remember playing Klonoa and Kloanoa 2 when I was little. They were some of my favorite games ever.

  • Spektre41

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:56 pm PT

    For those who don't know why this is absolutely epic, the original Klonoa (and it's fantastic sequel) are among the top-tier of platform games. They have everything a platformer fan would want.

  • TAKE_IT_BACK

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:42 pm PT

    Good to know its coming west.

  • blankshore

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    I've never played this game, but after reading a preview and nintendo power, and now this, I'm pretty interested

  • intotheshadowz

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:28 pm PT

    Finally something to ease the pain of actually buying a Wii.

  • rockstar_88

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    I remember playing the sequel on the PS2 back in the day, and although it was aimed very much for children (or albeit, the ladies), I found the game quite charming and I wasn't able to put it down until I beat the game. If I feel the blood soaked stains of my TV from playing too much Gears of War, Resistance 2, or Left 4 Dead is getting to me, I might pick up this game.

  • chego720

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 2:01 pm PT

    As a HUGE Klonoa fan, I must say, this is great news. Now I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope that they make a brand NEW game, and release it in the US =D

  • Mamba219

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:58 pm PT

    Fabulous game, great to hear a new generation of players will have a chance at it. It was horribly underrated the first time around.

  • zaphod_b

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:54 pm PT

    Dang. When I first heard about this I thought it was going to be a new game, not another Wii-make.

  • bvaldez

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    The original is one of my favorite games on the system -- unique mechanics and a great ending. Hopefully, Namco will put some steam behind this one via some semblance of promotion -- it truly deserves a look from everyone.

  • jasonharris48

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    I knew Namco was going to leave the Klonoa series hanging dry.

  • GameBeaten

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:26 pm PT

    Cool. I've wanted to get this game since I played it on a Playstation demo disc years ago from Official Playstation Magazine. I'll be getting this Wii game.

  • Gohan_Egret

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:10 pm PT

    YES.

  • SMR-Venom

    Posted Jan 9, 2009 1:07 pm PT

    Thank God!

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