Nintendo is finally opening the doors to third-party titles on its Game Boy Advance library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Starting September 25, 2025, subscribers will get access to two beloved Bandai Namco games: Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2.
Up until now, all 25 GBA games on the service have been Nintendo-published classics, so this marks a big milestone for the platform. By allowing third-party developers into the fold, Nintendo could be signaling a broader expansion of the GBA catalog in the months ahead.
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
Released back in 2001, Klonoa: Empire of Dreams follows the adventures of Namco’s floppy-eared mascot, Klonoa, in a dreamlike 2D platformer. The game mixes side-scrolling action with puzzle-solving, as Klonoa uses his Wind Ring to grab enemies and navigate tricky stages.
While the Klonoa series has been mostly quiet in recent years, Bandai Namco did bring back remasters of Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2 in 2022. Seeing Empire of Dreams arrive on Switch Online could hint at a growing interest in reviving this cult favorite franchise.
Mr. Driller 2
Originally released in 2000, Mr. Driller 2 continues the arcade puzzle fun of the original. Players drill through colorful block formations while managing limited oxygen supplies, creating a frantic yet addictive gameplay loop. Like Klonoa, this isn’t the game’s first re-release both titles were previously available on the Wii U Virtual Console but their arrival on Switch makes them much more accessible to today’s players.
The Bigger Picture for Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo has been steadily building its retro gaming service, but the timing of this announcement is especially interesting. Just last week, during the latest Nintendo Direct, the company revealed that the entire Virtual Boy library — all 14 games — will be added to Nintendo Switch Online on February 17, 2026, complete with a special accessory to replicate the quirky console’s 3D visuals.
With Virtual Boy on the horizon and third-party GBA games finally joining the lineup, Nintendo Switch Online’s retro library is shaping up to be more diverse than ever. Fans are already speculating which third-party hits could come next — titles from Capcom (Mega Man Battle Network), Konami (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow), or Square Enix (Final Fantasy Tactics Advance) would be dream additions.
It may just be two games for now, but the arrival of Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Mr. Driller 2 could mark the start of something bigger for the GBA catalog on Switch Online. For retro fans, it’s a welcome reminder that the service isn’t just about replaying Nintendo’s own hits — it’s also about celebrating the wider history of handheld gaming.
