Nintendo Australia has confirmed Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush will be available for Wii U this May.
The latest in the Kirby franchise is largely single-player, but supports three other players who’ll be tasked to support Kirby.
The game also supports amiibo functionality; each one read via the Wii U’s GamePad will provide Kirby with support items once per day.
More Details
In a control style similar to the touch controls of Kirby: Canvas Curse for Nintendo DS, players guide and guard Kirby by drawing lines on the Wii U GamePad touch screen using the stylus. These drawings become Rainbow Ropes that Kirby rolls along, used for navigating obstacles and defeating enemies.
Drawing Rainbow Ropes in creative ways like a loop will give Kirby a quick speed boost and they can also be used to protect Kirby from enemies and hazards, as well as to solve puzzles.
For instance, using a well-drawn rope can block a waterfall or uncover a hidden area. Re-modelling the traditional Kirby format further, Kirby’s transformations into a tank, submarine and rocket in this game all come with their own distinct twist on the touch screen controls.
Co-op Waddle Dees
The main player who controls Kirby draws Rainbow Ropes on the GamePad, while other players use Wii Remote controllers to play as friendly Waddle Dee characters tasked in assisting Kirby and help discover the game’s numerous collectibles.
Amiibos
In terms of amiibo functionality, the Kirby, King Dedede and Meta Knight amiibo can each be used once a day, per stage, to power up Kirby with special abilities.
By tapping a Kirby amiibo to the Wii U GamePad, players receive an unlimited Star Dash within a stage, which otherwise can only be activated by collecting 100 stars.
A King Dedede amiibo outfits Kirby with a hat that grants him six health bars instead of the normal four, and the Meta Knight amiibo gives Kirby a mask that lets him use a fast dash that blasts right through weaker enemies.
It’s unclear currently if any data from Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush can be written onto the Amiibo for use in friends’ games.
Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush launches for Wii U on 9th May and will be available for purchase at retail and on Nintendo eShop for Wii U.
