I liked this well enough as a kid, but the overall experience doesn't really hold up. There are a couple factors at play - I first played it on original hardware when it was brand new, while my revisit was on emulator with a weird setup - but I think the main thing is that this is one of those early DS titles that goes all-in on DS functionality, which was a novelty then but stands out way less after three full console generations of stylus controls. Take away the novelty and not much is left. In my experience, you're less directing Kirby and more redirecting him, constantly compensating for his momentum here and again. It's... fine, certainly a ton of content if that's what you're here for, but I don't get a lot out of the core experience, and even as a kid, I was turned off by the prospect of repeating that core experience a full four times for 100% completion.

Two things do still hold up. The first is "Paint Panic". This was also hindered by the emulator in my revisit, but this case was definitely a technical issue than the actual gameplay experience, 'cause I love love love speed connect-the-dots. Second is the final fight against Drawcia, a shining example of something legitimately good within the context of a very nothing game. This was, as I understand it, one of the first things current series director Shinya Kumazaki designed, and we're getting just a glimpse of what he'd have to offer for the series as a whole. It's charming that Drawcia, otherwise an extremely unimportant villain from a disposable side-entry, keeps getting callbacks in later entries, both directly through related characters and indirectly through other bosses imitating her moves. Sort of like she's Kumazaki's signature within the series.

The thing is with Canvas Curse is that I think the control style here is maybe one of the most interesting gimmicks brought to the DS in its early years. It's very funny that early in the DS' life, every game had the stylus in your hand. I think what makes this game interesting is that it rewards patience, reflex, and understanding of the physics. The more you get used to the playstyle and the better you react to your surroundings, the more fun you're going to have. My only problem, really, is that the levels don't get more interesting as you go, rather they just get more frustrating. The boss summarizes a lot of what’s great and not great about this game, but like every other Kirby final boss, it’s sick as hell. I actually don't really love Kirby games so much as I love Kirby, but this game is definitely more proof that this series absolutely ruled the DS.