Klonoa

With all the licensed tat that’s currently available on the Wii, it’s becoming increasingly tougher for smaller games to get a fair look in. With this in mind, please, please, please seek out this wonderful little platformer from Namco and Paon Corp.

Originally released for the PlayStation, Namco could have simply ported the brilliant – but oh so underrated – original and we’d have been more than happy, it really is that good. Instead the original director has been bought back in and been allowed to rebuild the game from the ground up, offering a host of graphical tweaks like fully 3D rendered models that still look as cute as their original pixelated counterparts. The end result is a truly gorgeous looking game that easily eclipses the already impressive looking PS2 sequel and adds plenty of other bells and whistles to create an essential update of a cult classic. Backgrounds have been completely redrawn, music remastered, new English voices have been included – although the original gibbery voices still remain – a new move has been thrown in and a host of bonuses, including costumes and an excellent mirror mode have been added once you complete the game.

Even without the myriad of touches that Paon Corp has included for this reboot, Klonoa would remain an amazing game, simply because the platforming itself remains as excellent as it was in 1997. Granted it’s extremely short, but it’s so beautifully crafted and well designed that you’ll constantly find yourself being pulled back to it even when you have completed it for the tenth time. Playing Klonoa is like discovering a rare flower in a patch of weeds or even finding that proverbial needle in a haystack. Klonoa is a delightful little game that should hopefully reach a brand new audience thanks to its accessible gameplay, wealth of control choices and meticulously crafted level design.

Certain people will no doubt moan that all Namco has done is put out a quick and easy port, but this isn’t the case at all, and even if you’ve played the excellent original you’ll find plenty of new little tricks and nuances to discover. Klonoa is nothing less than a complete joy to play and is a must own for any platform fan.