Kirby and the Magic Brush is a video game that was released for the Nintendo DS in 2009. Developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, the game follows Kirby, the lovable pink puffball, as he embarks on a new adventure using a magical paintbrush. In the game, players control Kirby using the DS stylus to draw rainbow paths, bridges, and cannons that Kirby can interact with and use to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. These drawings come to life on the DS's dual screens, adding a unique level of interactivity and immersion to the gameplay. Kirby and the Magic Brush features a vibrant and colorful art style, with detailed hand-drawn backgrounds and charming character designs. The game's music is also catchy and memorable, adding to the overall whimsical atmosphere.
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Drawcia uses the brush to turn all of Dream Land into paint at the beginning of the game and then uses it to turn Kirby into a ball, feats that such powerful foes such as Nightmare, Marx, and even Magolor were incapable of doing. In Kirby Super Star Ultra , the Magical Paintbrush makes a cameo appearance in The Great Cave Offensive as a piece of treasure under the name Power Paintbrush , replacing the Summertime treasure in Kirby Super Star.
The game's music is also catchy and memorable, adding to the overall whimsical atmosphere. The main objective of the game is to rescue Kirby's friends, who have been trapped in magical paintings by an evil sorcerer named Drawcia. As Kirby progresses through the game's levels, he gains new abilities and brushes, allowing him to create more intricate and powerful drawings.
Touch! Kirby's Magic Paintbrush
A DS game you'll want to stroke, or will you give it the brush-off?
Preview by Kristan Reed Contributor Updated on 31 Jan 2005Up to now, as impressed as we've been with a lot of the DS output, there are only so many remakes and updates that we can reasonably be expected to get excited about. The last thing we want the DS to turn into is Nintendo's next shovelware system, with a check list of N64 games making an inexorable march into the 'games we've bought twice' category. And with that in mind we made an immediate beeline for the games being shown off at Nintendo's Parisian DS event that were new to us. Of which Kirby certainly looks one of the most promising.
As you may have read before, or gathered from the various screenshots released in recent months, this is another one of those DS titles that tasks you with hastily constructing temporary platforms underneath the central character in order to guide the little pink blob to a level exit, negotiating various deadly enemies and traps along the way. For the purposes of Touch! Kirby, though, we're asked to suspend our growing disbelief and imagine that our DS stylus is, in fact, a paintbrush, the platforms we create are made of paint, and we have a somewhat limited (but constantly regenerating) supply of the multi-coloured stuff with which to Paint To Victory, or whatever cunning slogan the chaps at Nintendo will eventually settle upon. Puntastic suggestions, as ever, are welcome here.
Presented, refreshingly, in an old school two dimensional style (as with a lot of DS-related titles, we're pleased to note), it initially looks a lot like an old school platformer, with a familiar side-on layout largely constructed of blocks to work your way up to, patrolling enemies that bob merrily from right to left and back again, and of course various bottomless pits, spike traps and the like to steer your way over. By drawing a line anywhere underneath or around Kirby, he will traverse the paint in whatever direction he's currently facing, and keep going along in such a fashion until the gradient becomes too steep (in which case he'll start rolling back the other way at increasing velocity until he meets some other obstacle).
But merely moving him around is only half the battle, with your energy gradually depleting every time you make contact with any of the various hazards or nasties populating the side scrolling level. Drain your energy to zero and - guess what? - it's back to the start of the level, or the last checkpoint if you've reached it. A far better idea is to use the various attacks available to Mr Blobby, which involve tapping Kirby himself. A quick stab at the wee fellow and he'll perform his basic spin attack, but collect one of the upgrades lying around and you'll be granted access to other, more powerful attacks. In this somewhat short-lived two level demo (selectable as 'Beginner' and 'Intermediate') we only managed to come across a sort of rotating dual arm of flaming death, which basically takes out anything in its path.
As a sort of instantly addictive and unusual take on the platform genre it completely won us over with controls that were both simple and intuitive, yet with a gameplay dynamic that was fresh and challenging enough to make it feel very different from the generic side scrolling platform fodder we've long since grown weary of. Visually as well, the return to a crisp 2D viewpoint has been handled with the usual amount of finesse you expect from a Nintendo first-party title.
Although it's still very much early days for this title, there's enough of a glimpse of the promise to come from Kirby to warrant keeping this in mind when the game emerges blinking into the daylight later this year.
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Although it's still very much early days for this title, there's enough of a glimpse of the promise to come from Kirby to warrant keeping this in mind when the game emerges blinking into the daylight later this year.
While the game is relatively short, it offers replayability through its multiple modes and unlockable content. Players can also revisit levels to discover hidden secrets and collectibles, adding to the game's longevity. Kirby and the Magic Brush received generally positive reviews from critics, praising its innovative gameplay mechanics and charming presentation. The game's unique use of touchscreen controls and creative level design were particularly highlighted. Overall, Kirby and the Magic Brush is a delightful and imaginative game that showcases the versatility of the Nintendo DS's touchscreen capabilities. Its combination of platforming, puzzle-solving, and artistic creativity make it a fun and enjoyable experience for players of all ages..
Reviews for "Inside the Mind of the Developers: Creating Kirby and the Magic Brush"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Kirby and the magic brush". The gameplay felt repetitive and the levels were way too easy. There was no real challenge, and I quickly lost interest in the game. The graphics were also lackluster and did not do justice to the vibrant world of Kirby. Overall, I was not impressed with this installment of the franchise.
2. Amanda - 1/5 - "Kirby and the magic brush" was a complete letdown for me. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, which made the game frustrating to play. Additionally, the story was underdeveloped and lacked any depth. I found myself bored and unengaged most of the time. I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone looking for an enjoyable gaming experience.
3. Michael - 2.5/5 - While "Kirby and the magic brush" had potential, it ultimately fell short for me. The characters and dialogue were uninspiring, and the plot felt forced. The levels lacked creativity and felt like a rehash of previous Kirby games. I was hoping for a fresh and exciting experience, but unfortunately, this game didn't deliver.
4. Sarah - 2/5 - "Kirby and the magic brush" was a disappointment for me. The game felt too childish and didn't offer much substance for older players. The puzzles and challenges were too easy, and I quickly grew bored. I expected more from a Kirby game and was hoping for a more engaging and immersive adventure. Overall, it left much to be desired.
5. David - 2/5 - I was not a fan of "Kirby and the magic brush". The gameplay felt repetitive and lacked excitement. The controls were also a bit frustrating and didn't always respond as intended. The visuals and soundtrack were the only redeeming qualities, but they weren't enough to save the overall mediocre experience. I would recommend trying other Kirby games before giving this one a chance.