Kirby: Canvas Curse

"This game is the pot of gold at the end of the DS rainbow."

I got a Nintendo DS at launch, and yet it took over six months before I was entirely sold on the little unit. Sure, most consoles and handhelds have their own “buildup periods” in which the games and hardware gradually get better as time goes on, but the DS showed a particularly weak lineup out of the gate, with games that really didn't make full use of the amazing amounts of potential available here. Then, finally, Kirby: Canvas Curse shows up. This game is in fact DS's saving grace, and I do mean that. It is the first game to truly make good use of the DS hardware. Kirby himself isn't nearly as respected as he should be, and yet he's developed quite a cult status. What I've noticed, though, is that Kirby's best games seem to be his spin-offs – games that aren't necessarily traditional platformers. He stole the hearts of pinball fans in Kirby Pinball Land and then nearly created his own genre in Kirby Tilt ‘n' Tumble. Now, Canvas may in fact be my favorite Kirby game yet, and it once again strays away from the traditional formula.

I'll spare you the misery of some ill-advised plot description (Canvas's story is irrelevant) and get right to the point: This is one of the most innovative games in years. It's a reminder that 2D games (and, specifically, 2D platformers) still have many ideas left within them, and it's also a game that absolutely could not have been done on any other system. Though designed like a standard 2D platformer, you'll never actually have complete control over Kirby at any one time. He'll roll around endlessly through his environments like the little pink ball that he is, and the only way you can direct him is by using the stylus to draw little lines for him to follow. If Kirby comes to, say, a pit of lava and is about to roll right into it, you merely need to use your skills in artistry to draw a line over the fiery pool. If done correctly, Kirby will follow the line over the lava and emerge on the other side, unharmed.

Thought it seems a little strange to base a game entirely around drawing lines, that's exactly what Canvas is all about. You're in control of a magical paintbrush used to direct Kirby everywhere he goes, and you've got to constantly be on your toes. Kirby rarely (if ever) stops rolling, so you've got to be keeping a constant close eye on the action at hand, with the only times to stop and take a breather being at the end of a level. You'll have to draw lines leading up for Kirby to reach higher platforms. You've got to draw lines over spikes and endless pits so Kirby can glide right over them without fuss. If a laser is firing a never-ending beam, you've got to draw a line over the beam to Kirby can pass through. Sometimes, you'll have to draw loops, through which Kirby gains speed and momentum to reach higher heights. While you have unlimited paint, your meter has to recharge, so you've got to constantly be monitoring how much paint you can use. If you come halfway across a pit and discover that you've run out of paint, you're dead.

The DS's stylus plays an enormous role in the game – in fact, none of the buttons are ever used, save for the Start button (to pause the game). The little stylus is used for all actions, and is required for far more than merely drawing lines. Kirby, for example, is not completely defenseless. If you tap on him in the middle of the game, he'll use a spin attack that can increase his speed and can also be used to bash enemies. Enemies can also be stunned momentarily by tapping on them, so Kirby can simply roll right through them. Whenever you see a block that obstructs your path, it must be destroyed by tapping on it. Kirby will land himself on all sorts of cannons, launchers, sticky platforms, moving platforms, and so forth in which a simple, careful button press can mean the difference between life or death. The stylus is used in some of the most unique ways imaginable, and the developers never seem to run out of ways to surprise you around every corner with something new, such as the underwater levels in which gravity is reversed.

Aside from that, Canvas also has a surprising number of little bonus games that make wonderful use of the hardware. At the end of every level, for example, you'll get the chance to play a long jump mini-game, in which you must tap on Kirby repeatedly to gain speed, and then draw a line at the end of the platform to launch him as far as he will go. Also, whenever you complete an entire world (three levels per world) you'll get the chance to choose between one of three boss battles (you'll battle each twice). Each of the bosses actually takes you away from the standard Canvas controls and invokes in a little mini-game of its own. For example, in one mini-game, Kirby has to race old favorite King Dedede to the end of a line in a mine cart. The catch is that there's no set track, and that you've actually got to draw the track for him, leading him into fruit, which gives him boost. The mini-games are a delight and a great diversion from an already amazing game.

I was also surprised by the amount of replay value packed into this little game. Although it doesn't take too long to complete the main adventure, there are a number of hidden tokens throughout the game's many levels, and collection junkies like myself will really find a lot of fun in scouring every stage for these items. Also, each level has two bonus stages, where you're either racing through a section of the level in the shortest amount of time you can or completing a section while conserving as much paint as possible. It takes an enormous amount of skill to be able to score every token in the game, and doing so can reward you with some unlockable goodies, whether they're new characters (there are five total), new paint styles (zebra, bead, etc.), new mini-games, or just some classic tunes that you can listen to any time. While initially short, Canvas could keep you going for quite some time.

Although it's true that Canvas doesn't really take the DS's graphical capabilities in any startling new directions, I'm not complaining. It's 2D, yes, but it's very beautiful 2D, and the visuals remain true to the formula. Kirby games have always been colorful and well-animated, and Canvas is no different. Every world has its own unique, distinct look, and the backgrounds and colorful and a job to look at. There are no cheesy attempts at 3D effects here. The look of the game could have been pull off on GBA without question, but I wouldn't ask for it any other way. Also doing great on the technical side of things is sound. Although the cheery, upbeat tunes aren't everyone's cup of tea, they're always fitting for the atmosphere of Kirby games. The Canvas soundtrack contains both remixes of classic music and new tracks as well, and they're always perfectly in place and very catchy. It simply adds to an already extraordinary game.

Pros

+ Amazingly unique touch screen gameplay makes Canvas like no other.
+ The touch screen is used in a number of innovative ways.
+ Levels constantly show off new play styles.
+ Lots of mini-games and bonus levels…
+ …Lead to tons of unlockables, such as secret characters.
+ Pretty graphics and a fitting musical score.
+ The best DS game yet!

Cons

- The graphics are a bit primitive.
- The main game is fairly short.
- Some of the bonus levels are a little too unforgiving.

Overall: 10/10

I can't honestly say I've had more fun with a DS game yet. Kirby: Canvas Curse is a game that makes extraordinarily new use of the DS touch screen and was, for me, the game that finally had me sold on the hardware. Its new take on the classic side-scrolling platformer genre makes it one of the freshest and most noteworthy games of the year, and a stunning achievement in the world of 2D games that will hopefully lead to a long line of unique, innovative and fun DS games. Regardless of your thoughts on the little pink puffball, I urge you to buy, play and love Canvas if you're a DS owner and want to make full use of the little handheld. And if you're not yet a DS owner, Canvas is enough reason to get one. I guarantee you that this is an experience unlike one you've ever played before, and it absolutely could not have been done anywhere else.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/19/05