"Does anything a pink bouncy ball can."

Arguably, the first DS game to really master the touch screen usage. As we are introduced to Kirby in a new light, how does it match up to past games? How will the new way of battling settle with gamers? How will the new story stack up to other games? And what in the hell is Kirby exactly? All of these questions are what people asked when the first heard that Canvas Curse was coming out. While most of these questions are answered with outstanding game play and brilliant story, we still don't know what Kirby is sadly…

Game-play wise, Canvas Curse is absolutely outstanding. That's the first thing that will pop into your head when you play the game. Canvas Curse utilizes the touch screen to such perfection, nothing else can be said. The basic concept is, Kirby has been transformed into a ball, and you have to use the styles to roll him around, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and finding the witch who did this to Kirby. You travel through multiple worlds, including inside volcanoes and undersea.

The top screen is pretty much just a huge map of the area. And shows Kirby, landforms, Red Coins, and some other things. And since Kirby is a ball, that means no inhaling. So, the basic attack plan is hit foes with the styles, and then rolling over them. Certain enemies give you special abilities such as a flaming ball attack, or becoming a balloon and floating around higher and higher.

Levels involve going through three different stages, fighting off multiple enemies, collecting rare red coins, and just trying to survive really. There are eight worlds that you must go through and beat. And each one gets more difficult and fast pace than the last. But after you beat the game, and collect enough Red Coins, you can unlock multiple things such as new styles of lines, and new characters to use.

The basic concept for Canvas Curse is, a mysterious witch has emerged in Dreamland. She turns the world into a giants painting, drawing all over the world with her magical paintbrush. Seeing Kirby, she flees into a magical portal, and Kirby follows, of course. When he emerges, he sees the witch, and he turns him into a ball, and runs away. After being transformed, he looks down and sees the magical paintbrush. He touches it, and it turns into you.

So now you, the paintbrush, and Kirby have to find the witch, and defeat her to turn Dreamland back to, well as normal as Dreamland can get. The game last for a good ten to fifteen hours, depending on how fast you go, or if you take it slow and unlock everything. The story is a little stale, but for a Kirby game, it's about as good as it gets.

Kirby games are notorious for its kiddy like music and graphics. This game is no different. The music is a little childish and fails to really impress me to much. It does add to the action in some of the areas, such as boss battles and such. But being a handheld game, you have the luxury of turning that little dial at the bottom of the system. So if the music isn't your bag of tea, turn it off. The characters don't really say to much either. Kirby pretty much never talks, and the Witch only gives off this evil, and kind of frightening screaming shriek of a laugh.

While playing Kirby Canvas Curse, you will notice something, the amazing graphics. Sure it's just a flat 2D game, but the colors are so alive and vibrant its amazing. The background is really what stands out, and the colors are a multiple mixture of light and dark colors, and is all brought together with the little pink ball bouncing here and there thanks to you.

Whether its from a dark cave that gives off the gloomy appearance of if it were actually dark and creepy and wet, or if its s bright sunny day and Kirby is jumping all over the fresh green grass, its all great.

As we end the review, Kirby Canvas Curse comes out in flying colors. Who cares if Kirby is a little childish pink ball of… um, something, the game is great and never once falls from the story or fun. A definite buy for gamers of all ages. One of the greatest DS games out now, and is also the first one to really key onto the bottom screen. This is a must have for all DS owners. No doubt about it.

I love how the game came alive with the usage of the stylus, and nothing was better than finally beating the witch and finishing this great game. You will come back and play the game some more times after you beat it, using not only Kirby, but as other un lockable characters, and stylus line forms.

One of the best handheld games of the year hands down, and if you don't have it, go out and buy it now. No, stop reading, go. Now. If you don't get this game now, I will fight you. That's no lie.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/02/05, Updated 01/04/06