Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush

Everyone’s favorite Pink Puffball will be making his DS debut in Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush (also known as Touch! Kirby). Currently being shown off at Nintendo’s Japanese Touch DS event, the latest game in the popular Kirby series puts a unique, DS-style twist on the classic Kirby formula.

In Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush, players don’t physically control Kirby for the majority of the gameplay. Instead, players draw rainbow-colored lines, which Kirby then follows. The only way to get Kirby to follow these lines is by having him dash up to them or along them. However, Kirby must dash quickly because the lines only last for a few seconds. To make Kirby use his dash move, players must tap the Pink Puffball with the stylus or their finger. It seems like a mix of Kirby’s Tilt ‘n’ Tumble (for Game Boy Color) and classic Kirby games.

As mentioned above, the lines only last for a couple of seconds. But, to make sure that players don’t go on a line-drawing spree, Nintendo and HAL have also added a bar that depletes whenever the player draws a line. When the bar runs out, it’s impossible to draw any lines. However, the bar refills at a fairly steady rate.

While all of this takes place on the bottom screen, the top screen is used for a much simpler purpose: To show Kirby’s statistics and maps of the levels. Sure, it’s not the most innovative use of the DS’ dual screens. But, it can be quite helpful as Kirby dashes through the various game levels.

Kirby’s trademark copying abilities return in Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush. By ramming Kirby into his enemies, players will be able to give Kirby one of ten different powers. These powers include the ability to race through the level and the ability to use fire.

The actual goal of the game is quite simple. All you have to do is reach the end of the level. Yeah, that’s it. By making Kirby dash along the lines and find various secrets, players will be able to complete the variety of classic, Kirby-style levels. However, players have to be careful. If Kirby hits the spikes below the levels or falls into the bottomless pits, it’s Game Over. So, players have to make sure that they keep Kirby on the lines.

Overall, Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush looks great. While no US release date has been announced yet, it’s a pretty safe bet to say that this highly innovative DS title will make its way to this side of the Pacific. Until then, stick with DSA for full coverage of Kirby’s Magical Paintbrush and other upcoming DS games.