Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush will launch for Wii U in Australia and New Zealand on May 9, Nintendo has announced.

If that title doesn't sound familiar, that's because the game is known as Kirby and the Rainbow Curse in the US (and that's what we've been calling it since it was announced).

“Kirby games have often experimented with inventive visual styles and unique gameplay twists, with past games having Kirby ride on hamsters and transforming into yarn,” said Nintendo.

“Kirby’s latest outing is no exception, taking place in a beautifully realised world of clay. Dream Land has been drained of all its colour and it’s down to Kirby to bring the colour back by traversing seven planets, defeating enemies and solving puzzles along the way.”

Rainbow Paintbrush game includes multiplayer support whereby three friends can hop in and out at any time to assist Kirby, using Wii Remote controllers to play as Waddle Dees.

It also allows players to use compatible amiibo figures once per day on every stage to power up Kirby with special abilities.

The game’s control style is moulded after the touch controls introduced in Kirby: Canvas Curse for Nintendo DS, and has players guide and guard Kirby by drawing lines on the Wii U GamePad touch screen using the stylus.

These lines become Rainbow Ropes that Kirby rolls along, 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.

Kirby can also transformation into a tank, submarine, and rocket.

The game was released in Japan and the US earlier this year.