The gameplay in Klonoa 2 succeeds due to precise, responsive controls, and it's a testament to the game's design that only two buttons are necessary: one fires Klonoa's ring, and one jumps. The remake of Klonoa's original adventure, Door to Phantomile, will make use of the Wiimote like an NES controller -- held sideways, the D-pad controls movement while the 1 and 2 buttons control actions and jumping. Due to just how simple it is to control Klonoa, this scheme will undoubtedly work remarkably well, and it should definitely be an optional (or perhaps even the default) control scheme in Klonoa 2.
Still, I'd like to see Lunatea's Veil give Wiimote motion a shot. A Wii Remote and nunchuk combination could work remarkably well. The nunchuk's analog stick would, of course, control movement, while the Wii Remote's A button would jump. Firing the ring, however, would be handled with a flick of the wrist. When Twilight Princess was first released, I was hesitant to embrace the Wiimote-based sword-swinging, but oh how wrong I was. Klonoa 2 could make use of the same principle just as effectively without compromising the simplicity or enjoyability of its wonderful 2.5D platforming.
If for no other reason, Klonoa 2 deserves a second chance to be embraced by the explosion of new "casual" gamers who own the Wii. Yes, I played that card -- though it has a large cult following and appeals to any gamer who has fond memories of platforming, the game's relative ease and cartoony design certainly will draw in a younger audience.
Ultimately, Klonoa 2's viability on the platform will likely be determined by how well the port of Door to Phantomile performs on the Wii. But given the amount of effort involved in slapping a fresh coat of cel-shaded goodness onto Door to Phantomile, it seems like porting Lunatea's Veil is practically a no-brainer -- the groundwork will already be in place. Widescreen support and new controls are really all the game needs to be viable on the Wii.
If you want to see Klonoa 2 on the Wii, don't just sit by idly hoping -- assuming it sees release outside of Japan, go out and buy Door to Phantomile. Play it, love it, and remember that Klonoa 2 is full of the same awesome platforming, wonderful music, and lush environments.
