Klonoa on GBA in Japanese version, dreamy and endearing platformer. Original double-jump mechanics, fairy-tale atmosphere. An often overlooked 2.5D platformer gem, magnificent on GBA.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Platform game developed by Namco and published in Japan in September 2001. Klonoa explores the Empire of Dreams to free captured inhabitants from Emperoryan. Gameplay grabs and uses enemies as bouncing platforms or projectiles to traverse 2.5D perspective levels, imposing bosses and the dreamlike atmosphere characteristic of the franchise. Japanese version of Klonoa: Empire of Dreams.
Kaze no Klonoa - Yumemiru Teikoku review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾2,4 MB📅20/09/2001
Published by Namco
Kaze no Klonoa - Yumemiru Teikoku (GBA) price, value & rarity
Original Japanese edition of the GBA Klonoa, released in September 2001 under the Kaze no Klonoa Yumemiru Teikoku title, serving as a bridge between the PlayStation reading of the franchise and the portable 2.5D platforming format. Namco rigid case with a Japanese obi marked Yumemiru Teikoku and a cover specific to the local market, distinct from the PAL Empire of Dreams edition. Namco Japan run was short, complete with obi clearly sought after by Klonoa collectors focused on the original edition.
An underrated gem
Klonoa brings its blend of 2D and 3D platforming to handheld with stunning fluidity, grabbing enemies to bounce off them and crack clever puzzles. Kept in Japan, it was ignored by an audience already cooling on the series at home. Charming and inventive, it'll enchant fans of platforming that's both gentle and demanding.
Is Kaze no Klonoa - Yumemiru Teikoku still worth playing in 2026?
The first Klonoa on GBA, Empire of Dreams turns the PlayStation formula on its head by shifting to a pure 2D platformer built around small single objective stages, both platforming and puzzling. The capture and throw mechanic stays the soul of the gameplay and works particularly well on a handheld screen. The dreamlike Namco universe keeps its strange charm and the difficulty climbs with subtlety. Probably the most unjustly overlooked of the GBA's strong platformers.
