[Kirby shows love for the past by bringing gameplay back to the forefront]

Like Wario Ware before it, Kirby Canvas Curse has taken an existing franchise and turned it on its ear, with equally successful results. I here and now declare KCC the first true DS killer app. Combining elements of some of the best games of all time, Hal has created something totally fresh that sets the example of how to make a DS game.

The first thing I thought when playing this game was that it felt a lot like the classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog games. There are a lot of similar acrobatics and sense of level design. Drawing the rainbow lines and gaining different abilities reminded of one of my favorite SNES games; Uniracers. Level elements reminded me of Kurin Kurin and Ice Climbers. And of course, smashing blocks and using paddles brought back memories of Breakout.

As you can see, describing KCC is difficult without comparing it to other games. Take for example, Yoshi Touch & Go. If youve played YTaG you will be in familiar territory. Except where YTaG was a score-chewing puzzle game, KCC is pure platforming goodness…with all those classic Kirby touches of course.

But lets get one thing straight…Kirby Canvas Curse is its own game. Soon enough youll forget about all of the influences and start enjoying one of the best 2D platformers to come along in years.

One thing Im extremely happy about is the length and difficulty of the game. Many a Kirby game has been too short and too easy. KCC is neither. Not only is the maingame a decent length and difficulty, but there are also other modes like time trail that add to the game. KCC also reminds me that collecting items can be fun, if implemented correctly. Even collecting the stars is fun, reminding me of how I enjoyed running around getting bananas in Donkey Kong Country.

Oh the visual side, KCC is beautiful. The art direction, including menus and backgrounds are truly amazing. Kirby and fellow characters look great and are well animated. There is also a good sense of weight and gravity with Kirby himself. Kirby games have always had a lot of visual charm, and KCC is no exception.

On the control side, the drawing of the rainbows works great and seems a bit more forgiving than drawing clouds in YTaG (It would have been cool to be able to blow away your lines though). Overall, the control mechanisms are spot on, and embody the Kirby (and DS) ideal of simplicity with an incredible amount of depth. I dont think you could ask for a better game to show off just how great a stylus can work as a control mechanism.

I generally dislike reviews that compare the game being reviewed to a bunch of old games. However, I think its applicable to KCC. The game just manages to meld so many great aspects of other games that its like the old adage about being more than the sum of its parts.

Kirby Canvas Curse is a beautiful game in and of itself. Couple that with the fact that it shows what can be done with the DS and you have a game that sets the bar. This game is a blessing. New life has just been breathed into the Kirby franchise, 2D gaming, and the DS system.

All hail the pink puffball.