Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, a new Kirby title for Wii U, is slated to launch sometime next year, it was announced during today's Nintendo Direct event.

The new Wii U release is set in an HD, stop-motion world made of clay. From a game mechanics perspective, Rainbow Curse features touch-screen drawing mechanics based on those seen in the Nintendo DS title Kirby's Canvas Curse. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is a spiritual successor to that Nintendo DS release, first launched in North America in 2005 and developed by HAL Laboratory.

While full details about the new game aren't yet available, in Canvas Curse players control Kirby using a stylus, while drawing rainbow lines which Kirby rolls on. Alternatively players could poke Kirby to make him do a speed dash. Likewise, rainbow paths form ramps and bridges for him to cross, or walls as defence against enemy projectiles.