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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 48 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 46 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Genre(s): Action, Platform
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: June 13, 2005
Summary
(Also known as "Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush") Kirby: Canvas Curse delivers classic Kirby action with a fun twist. Using the stylus to control Kirby's movements is surprisingly intuitive, and the new control scheme provides many unique gameplay challenges. The rainbow paths you draw guide Kirby through the game, but they also can protect Kirby from falling icicles, lasers, cannon blasts and other hazards. In addition to drawing paths, the stylus can also be used to stun enemies, destroy barriers, detonate bombs and much more. Each of the game's seven worlds is divided into three stages, and each stage holds three hidden medals. Some are easy to find, while others are either well-hidden or heavily protected. You don't need to find these medals to complete the game, but the medals you recover can be traded in to unlock special features like new ink colors for the paths you draw with the stylus. [Nintendo]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
Touch! Kirby has replay value, it uses the touch and double screens brilliantly, it constantly plays with its own elegant control scheme, and, as the icing on the cake, is not only impeccably presented throughout (the backgrounds and soundtrack are truly magnificent) but it also comes with a nice pink stylus. You can't argue with that. [NGC Pocket]
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
Who'd have thought such an unassuming little guy would be the star of one of the best Nintendo DS titles available, and easily one of the most innovative platformers you'll ever play?
Read Full Review >Nintendophiles
For those of you waiting for the first real and complete usage of the DS system's capabilities (read: Yoshi's Touch n' Go), look no further than Kirby Canvas Curse.
Read Full Review >Computer Games Magazine
Delightfully loopy. [Sept 2005, p.91]
Deeko
While the game might be short, it's chock full of extras to make sure any completionists will get their money's worth.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
It offers the most intuitive, polished and entertaining use of the touch screen yet. What's more, it has enough depth to hold a player's attention for hours on end. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >VGPub
It’s clearly the best game for the DS currently out there and a good demonstration as to how good a DS game can be when it utilizes all of its features.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
It has longevity, charm, and controls that endure the wild departure from traditional platformers and make a highly enjoyable game. It comes highly recommended.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
One of the best handheld games to come out this year. It’s loaded with fresh ideas and new play mechanics.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Not a port of an older game or a collection of mini-games or a glorified tech demo -- an actual game with actual depth. Kirby: Canvas Curse is that game. It's simple, to be sure, but it's also remarkably fun.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The majority of Canvas Curse's medals are tied up in Rainbow Run, so the replay value is considerable, and perfect for hard-core sketch gamers. [Aug 2005, p.82]
RewiredMind
Graphically and sonically, Kirby: Canvas Curse excels and impresses with apparent ease. If you fail a level, then that wonderful “one-more-go” feeling that eats up so many hours of our lives as gamers comes into play, and whilst this game isn’t the longest by any means, it’s possibly the most enjoyable on the format so far.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
An engaging experience from start to finish, including the mini-games and boss battles.
Read Full Review >GameCube Europe
Kirby truly is an outstanding game. It just takes everything the DS can do, throws it together and makes it work. The controls, the level design and the presentation are astounding.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Kirby offers us a fully-fledged game with a main mode and great secondary modes, with plenty left to unlock and find, as well as high scores, times to beat and a great little game where you launch Kirby through the air as far as possible!
Read Full Review >Thunderbolt
With a loveable hero, incredibly technical handling, and a truckload of features all wrapped up in a wonderfully stylish presentation, Kirby: Canvas Curse not only brings a breath of fresh air to a seemingly stale handheld gaming world, but it also steals the spotlight with its undeniable quality.
Read Full Review >Siliconera
Everyone from the hardcore FPS frag machine to a person who strayed away from games all their life can pick up Touch! Kirby. Being universally enjoyable is just another benefit, making this one of the best DS games to date. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >IGN
It's an outstanding design that captures what the Nintendo DS platform is all about: unique and creative gameplay, and speaks volumes of the potential this system can offer gamers down the line.
Read Full Review >eToychest
The great single player gameplay should help to alleviate any pain that the lack of multiplayer may have caused. In typical Kirby fashion, this is a wonderful title that is fun, addicting, and exudes a kind of charm not found in many games today.
Read Full Review >1UP
A genuinely excellent game. It impresses on many levels, perhaps most of all for the simple fact that it's the first example of a traditional 2D platformer that genuinely works with no input besides a stylus.
Read Full Review >WHAM! Gaming
A Kirby game that's fun and cool? Thanks to the innovative touchscreen control, you bet it is. A must-have for the somewhat under-represented Nintendo DS.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
The perfect marriage of a handheld game and a touch-sensitive screen.
IC-Games
If you own a Nintendo DS you simply must own Kirby’s paintbrush, it doesn’t get any simpler than that.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
It’s a rare treat, and very appreciated. Kirby: Cursed Canvas comes from nowhere, but deserves to go everywhere. It’s another absolute proof of the validity of the DS as a unique gaming platform, and sets a new challenge bar for relaxing platform gaming.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
From start to finish, Canvas is packed with beautiful graphics, awesome level designs, and compelling gameplay. Boss battles are cool and unique, and the minigames and bonus options are worth unlocking--really!
Read Full Review >GameZone
Canvas Curse is one of the most unique and innovative games I've played all year, including the games I played at E3.
Read Full Review >Da Gameboyz
With great 2D graphics, good sound and an awesome use of the touch screen, Canvas Curse is a must buy for anyone who owns Nintendo’s dual-screened wonder.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
It couldn't really be done on any other platform, yet it doesn't sacrifice its gameplay for the sake of short-lived gimmicks.
Read Full Review >N-Insanity
While the story is nothing to pay attention to, the gameplay is what really shines here.
Read Full Review >GameBrink
A game that features great innovative gameplay, still retaining that great Kirby feel to it.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
By combining a completely new gameplay style with nicely designed traditional 2D platforming levels, Kirby: Canvas Curse manages to fulfill the true potential of Nintendo's highly touted touch-screen gameplay. [Aug 2005, p.108]
Pelit (Finland)
A unique experience that only Nintendo DS can offer. Stylus, touch screen and Kirby is a match made in heaven. [Jan 2006]
Game Revolution
Simply one of the best DS games released thus far and an easy choice for DS owners griping about the lack of strong software for their tech-heavy handheld.
Read Full Review >My Gamer
It looks, feels and plays like historical Kirby installments. However, while it looks and plays well, it is incredibly short.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
While short, this is the best experience available on the DS right now, and anyone with a tolerance for candy-colored adventure should give it a try.
Read Full Review >GamerFeed
Anyone with either an interest in a refreshing take on the classic platform genre or simply looking for something different will definitely find complete satisfaction in this one. Truly a must-play.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
It sounds simple and on paper we’re sure it looks to have more than a little in common with Catch! Touch! Yoshi!, but we’re pleased to report that it actually has far more depth. [May 2005, p.112]
Games Radar (in-house)
You've got a brand new way to interact with a game and a slew of unlockable minigames at your disposal, so there’s plenty to do even after Kirby has restored peace and order to his colorful world.
Read Full Review >PALGN
It may not have the lifespan or the consistency of ideas that the highest caliber 2D platformers contain, but with its unique design and control system there’s no denying it’s a fun game in its own right.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
The subtle blend of old-school platformer and touch-screen control give it a unique flavour and one unlike anything sampled before.
Read Full Review >Sydney Morning Herald
Kirby's use of touch-screen technology provides a fresh and engaging game.
Read Full Review >Detroit Free Press
But there is some nice innovation, such as levels that are completely black until Kirby bumps into lanterns that put off light. And as we all know, in dark places like this, it's good to have a friend.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
While it is a little hampered by it’s scale and scope, Kirby remains imaginative, detailed and demanding... It’s exactly the kind of game that Nintendo promised the DS would deliver. [June 2005, p.90]
netjak
This certainly is a different kind of game, interesting even. But, a blast to play? A must have? These are things that Kirby: Canvas Curse sadly is not.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
It's innovative for sure, but for me, that's not enough. [Aug 2005, p.57]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 46 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Nemo P gave it a10:
Best Kirby game I've played so far. My favorite part is the amazing art and music. It's one of those games that you have to try! : )
Seri E gave it a10:
This game is amazing. Maybe the best Kirby game. The control style is innovative and easy to learn, the levels are replayable, the music / graphics are cheerful and bright and it's Kirby!!! Who doesn't love the cute little guy?
Rover T gave it a9:
An excellent and very innovative game. I love the "painting" to get around, instead of using the buttons. This game is definatly a candidate for a sequel. The game is nice and long, and also includes minigames to play after youve beat it. Although once youve beaten it as Kirby, beating it as the other characters is redundant and boring. And dont try to get a perfect score on every single Rainbow Run, it is very difficult and you will just get frustrated.
Alejandro G. gave it a9:
Really fun and original game. Good replayability, and really good minigames. Lacks multiplayer support and a higher difficulty.
Jason T. gave it an8:
a very innovative game that uses the touch screen to a great usage, above most titles. It can seem somewhat boring since you ONLY use the stylus, and it doesn't have as much action as the GBA titles, but it's a clevar idea, nontheless.
Corey S. gave it an8:
Out of all the adventure games for the DS, this one has the best use of the touch screen.
Klaes H. gave it a6:
i though it was fun for a while then it got boring.
