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Good: Classic Kirby gameplay, variety of powers, plenty of treasure chests for the completists

Bad: A bit on the short side, lack of touchscreen utilization is noticeable after Canvas Curse

Last summer, DS owners were treated to Kirby's Canvas Curse, one of the first adventure games to really utilize the touchscreen on the portable. It still felt like classic Kirby, only with the innovative gameplay involving drawing rainbow paths using the stylus. Kirby Squeak Squad goes back to the franchise's roots, however, and presents a purely old-school platformer.

The only time you'll really use the stylus or touchscreen is when you want to pull powerups from Kirby's stomach. As you progress through the stages, you can collect various health upgrades, extra lives, and new powers. The bottom screen will hold up to five of them, and they can be activated by tapping them. It's nothing terribly innovative or unique, but it works fine in the context of the gameplay.

Kirby once again has the ability to assume the powers of his enemies. By hitting down on the d-pad after inhaling them, you can throw ninja stars, swing swords, breathe fire and ice, and fly around and shoot arrows, amongst many other abilities. This trademark system still adds a ton of variety to the game, and really keeps the action fresh. If you're tired of breathing ice, you can eat a new enemy to shift into a Kirby-shaped rock that can smash enemies below him.

If you're just blowing through the stages as quickly as possible, the game can be beaten in a few sittings. If you're a completist, you'll have far more incentive to replay levels. Each stage features treasure chests, and getting all of them would take an awful lot of work. Certain larger chests are guarded by members of the evil Squeak Squad, and you'll oftentimes be presented with quasi-boss fights to acquire them. Each chest includes a different Kirby trinket, whether it be sound samples or different Kirby colors to choose from.

On the visual end, Squeak Squad doesn't look much different than Canvas Curse. It's still filled with the series' trademark bright colors and varied enemies. The DS hardware certainly doesn't get pushed to any degree, but it stays true to the roots of the Kirby franchise. All of the sound effects and music are pretty much par for the course, as well. If you've played a Kirby game before, you pretty much know what to expect.

While it may not last very long, Squeak Squad should certainly please fans of the series. It's not quite as good as Canvas Curse, however, and this throwback title is more of a step backwards than forwards in terms of utilizing the DS.

Graphics: 7.5

Sound: 7.0

First Play: 8.0

Replay Value: 7.5

Gameplay: 7.5

Overall: 7.5