Review: Klonoa (Nintendo Wii)

 Klonoa is a remake of the classic platformer Klonoa: Door to Phantomile on the original Playstation.

It manages to retain the charm and look of the original, while updating the graphics and generally making the game shine.

The game tells the story of Klonoa, a cat-like boy who finds a ring in the forest that gives him magical abilities. At the same time, he teams up with Huepow, a floating ball that aids him in his journeys.

Klonoa and Huepow discover that the evil Ghadius has invaded the land, bent on bringing nightmares to the world. The pair set out to find and defeat Ghadius and his evil henchman Joker.

Klonoa is a two-dimensional platformer in a 3D world. Instead of flat levels to traverse, the paths twist and bend around corners and curves. Objects can be thrown forward and backward, as well as left and right.

The idea was innovative when the original came out in 1997 and this version holds up well.

Klonoa spends much of the game grabbing enemies and using them to eliminate other enemies, reach higher points or break objects. He does it in a game that is comprised of mostly bright colors and goofy cartoon voices, but underlying that is a serious tale that tugs at the heartstrings.

The voices are one of the improvements in this game. The original only displayed the words being spoken, with the characters only making sounds that approximated the words.

The original Playstation game is also somewhat a rarity, with used copies selling online for $20 more than the Wii version.

Just like the older version, Klonoa isn’t going to challenge anyone’s gameplaying skills. The levels, while full of life and interesting obstacles, aren’t that difficult. Bosses are beatable once their attack patterns are determined.

The game also isn’t super lengthy, with only 12 levels, divided up into 6 “visions.” As with the original, the game also offers no save opportunities,except at the end of each level.

But these limitations do not spoil the nostalgic fun. The game is a delight for platformer lovers.

Klonoa was a gem in the late ’90s and is a little jewel for gamers to discover in the spring of 2009 on the Wii.

Platform: Nintendo Wii Rating: Everyone Manufacturer: Namco Bandai Score: 9 wahoo chilies