Pokemon Shuffle has been announced as a Free to Play, Microtransaction-enabled 3DS Match-Three Puzzle game, similar to games like Pokemon Battle Trozei or Candy Crush, and will be released in February 2015 as a digital-exclusive for the 3DS eShop.
Check out the Nintendo Direct Announcement video with gameplay of Pokemon Shuffle.
In Pokemon Shuffle, players will put their puzzle-solving skills to the test as they battle wild Pokemon across a variety of stages.
Match three or more Pokemon in the Puzzle Area on the bottom touchscreen to deal damage to your Pokemon opponent on the top-screen. The aim of the game is to reduce the wild Pokemon’s HP to zero within the number of moves available.
Clearing Pokemon efficiently is the key to success, and players will be able to take advantage of their own Pokemon’s type during gameplay.
Here’s the Pokemon Shuffle image gallery.
Click on any of these image thumbnails to see the full-size photos:
What’s more, players will also be able to raise the level of their Pokemon as they play, enabling them to deal even more damage. Some Pokemon can even Mega Evolve, just like those in Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Mega-Evolved Pokemon are able to remove many wild Pokemon from the Puzzle Area at a time.
Pokemon Shuffle players start the game with five Hearts, and one is used for each stage played. When players run out of Hearts, they will have to wait for their Hearts to replenish in order to play again. Optionally, players will be able to keep playing immediately by using items earned in-game through regular gameplay or purchased with real cash (i.e., Microtransactions) on Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo has truly, officially, embraced the Microtransaction method with Pokemon Shuffle. Does this signal a worrying trend? No, I don’t necessarily think so. Nintendo says you can get the same items that replenish hearts through regular gameplay OR, you can pay to get them. It sounds like those who just want to speed up the process can do so by paying, whereas everyone else will have to earn their keep.
Nintendo is smart to try Microtransactions out with a Pokemon game like this, a small puzzle-game that only fans will care about, instead of with a bigger title. I think Nintendo is going about it smartly, while also testing the waters.
Either way, Pokemon Shuffle looks fun, and new Pokemon games in all kinds of genres are always a good thing. I’m always surprised to see how many different ways they can spin-off Pokemon, and it truly never ends.
A great thing for us Pokemon fans.
Will you be trying out Pokemon Shuffle next month?