"Who knew it could be so much fun to touch Kirby?"

It seems that in every Kirby game I play, the formula is different. There is no real traditional gameplay style. Kirby games are known to be unique; each one having its own quirks separating it from the rest of the series. Kirby: Canvas Curse is certainly no exception. Upon picking this title up earlier this week, I realized just how much fun the DS could provide. This is the first title to fully use the capabilities of the unique system; proving that the DS is not just a gimmick. Canvas Curse truly defines the word “fun.” But how does it stack up to previous Kirby titles, and the rest of the DS's relatively small library? Let's see…

Graphics
First off, the graphics are toony. Very toony. However, this is definitely not a bad thing. Everything in the game, from the beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds to the enemies to Kirby himself, has the feel of being hand-drawn and painted. The whole world feels like a canvas. The worlds are bright, colorful, and vibrant-just what you'd expect from a Kirby game. Levels range from grasslands to lava worlds to snowy places, so you never feel like you're playing the same level twice. The toony graphics may turn some of the image-conscious graphics whores off (you know, the ones who say a game can't be good unless it's rated M and has massive amounts of blood and gore in it and is photo realistic), but overall it has a very traditional look to it-vibrant and colorful- a true work of art.
9.5/10

Audio
The best way to describe the audio in Kirby: Canvas Curse is “fitting.” It sounds just like any Kirby game would be expected to sound. Traditional music is combined with new tunes in each level to provide a nice background melody. Icy worlds are mixed with soft, cold melodies, while canyon levels have an adventurous, fast paced tune. The sound effects are fun to listen to, from the tapping of enemies and Kirby to the rolling of boulders behind you. Overall, the audio department is just what you'd expect from a Kirby game, very fitting to the game and the series.
8.5/10

Controls
This game needs a controls section because control is the biggest factor in the game. The whole game is controlled with the stylus. Basically, Kirby is a ball and moves slowly on his own. You have to draw rainbow paths to guide him via the stylus. Drawing walls will turn Kirby around and can protect him from cannon shots and lasers, while drawing loops in the path give him a speed boost. Tapping enemies will stun them for a short time, allowing Kirby to kill them on contact. Tapping Kirby will speed him up, allowing him to ram into enemies. If he kills an enemy with a power, he will take it. Tapping Kirby when he has a power will trigger it. You can tap blocks to break them and cannons/propellers to activate them. Controlling Kirby is the most fun part of the game, and skill is essential in the later levels. It is easy to control, but very hard to master.
10/10

Gameplay
The most important part of the game-the gameplay. The action is on the bottom screen, obviously, while a surprisingly useful map and the ink gauge are on the top screen. When you draw paths, you quickly deplete the ink gauge. The gauge refills while you are not drawing-faster when Kirby is on the ground. The objective is to get from point A to point B, but it is not by any means easy. Many enemies and obstacles graze the screen, and avoiding them can be tough and very intense at times. The play is 2-D side scrolling at its finest. As you move along, you can collect star points. 100 will grant you an extra life. You can also find medals in each level. You can use these at the medal swap to unlock characters and other extras. There are 8 levels, each divided into 3 stages. Upon beating a level, you can fight a boss. There are three to choose from, with its own way of winning. Once you've beaten a full level, you can play the stages again in Rainbow Run, where you can play each level in a Time Trial or a Line Trial. In Line Trial, you must get through the level using as little ink as possible, and Time Trial is a race to beat certain times. While the Main Game is relatively short-8 levels-you can play each of the 24 stages again normally or in Rainbow Run. It is fun to go back to find the hidden medals in the main game, and to try to beat your high score for medals in Rainbow Run. Finally, the boss battles, when beaten, are able to be played again in Sub Games. The gameplay is AAA; this game is the best the DS has to offer at this point in time. The biggest problem with the gameplay is that there is not multiplayer; this is a solo adventure. Overall, Kirby: Canvas Curse is a must-have for the DS.
9.5/10

Replay Value
As said before, the Main Game is short. But because of the Rainbow Run, Sub Games, and the fun factor, this game can last a much longer time than you might think. While not as long as Super Mario 64 DS, there is a lot to sink your teeth into.
7.5/10

Worth the Buy?
I paid close to 40 bucks for this game, and it is worth every penny. Don't hesitate to go find this game as soon as possible. At the very least, it'll keep you busy until some more games come out for the DS. Combine this with the new release Bomberman DS, and you'll forget that the summer video game drought is here for all systems. Buy it now.

Graphics-9.5/10
Audio-8.5/10
Controls-10/10
Gameplay-9.5/10
Replay Value-7.5/10
Overall-45/50=90/100

My Score: 90/100

My GameFAQs Score: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/19/05