Pokemon Shuffle

 3DS
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 143 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 143
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 143
  3. Negative: 38 out of 143

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  1. Godlygamer
    Apr 11, 2015
    6
    This is Nintendo's first big attempt (Steel Divers: Sub Wars and Rusty's Real Deal Baseball are different stories.) at the free to play market, and...I'm gonna say it, Nintendo got greedy with this one. Basically, it's a Pokemon match-three game, but free to play. So, you have five hearts, and when you play a level, you lose one heart. It takes 30 minutes for 1 heart to regenerate (2This is Nintendo's first big attempt (Steel Divers: Sub Wars and Rusty's Real Deal Baseball are different stories.) at the free to play market, and...I'm gonna say it, Nintendo got greedy with this one. Basically, it's a Pokemon match-three game, but free to play. So, you have five hearts, and when you play a level, you lose one heart. It takes 30 minutes for 1 heart to regenerate (2 hours, 30 minutes for all of them to regenerate.) or you can use jewels to get them back. And that's when this game get's greedy with micro transactions. The most you can spend on a pack of jewels is around 55$. You can use jewels to get coins and hearts. Honestly, I haven't spent a penny on this game, and I never will. But, at least the game's not lazy. Their are 165(?) levels, and the game is updated regularly. On each level, you can get a rank depending on your score, and a chance to catch the Pokemon. (the catch rate is horrific, by the way) They also add daily Pokemon, events, expert stages. Overall, a good Pokemon puzzle game, but really greedy in micro transactions. (don't even get me started about the later mega levels...)… Expand
  2. Alletz
    Feb 24, 2015
    6
    This is a nice game to complement the Street Pass Mii Plaza, it is playable just for short periods of time if you don't want to spend any money. It would be good if you could spend 3DS play coins as an alternative.
  3. megusta1233
    Feb 20, 2015
    7
    The game is really enjoyable, but it's unfortunate you can't play it very long due to expensive 'jewels'. I'd say that you should play this game, but mind the micro transactions.
  4. stako
    Feb 22, 2015
    6
    As someone who is used to the way the mobile market of freemium games work, I really must admit by addressing the first three official reviews here with only one question: What were you expecting?
    But let us be fair - understanding something, agreeing with it and liking it are three extremely different things that every serious critic should comprehend.
    Pokemon Shuffle randomly popped up    As someone who is used to the way the mobile market of freemium games work, I really must admit by addressing the first three official reviews here with only one question: What were you expecting?
    But let us be fair - understanding something, agreeing with it and liking it are three extremely different things that every serious critic should comprehend.
    Pokemon Shuffle randomly popped up unto my 3DS home screen as an advert for the game. As I tend to the needs of my inner child and thus - Yes, I still play and love Pokemon, I went to download it straight away without expecting too much.
    Being a 3DS freemium game, I knew I should expect cynical microtransactions. They are terrible enough as it is on iOS and Android, but Nintendo is even more notorious with their ridiculously high prices on almost anything. To address this straight away - the offered transactions are with a ridiculously high monetary value, while the gameplay value they apply to is 1/10 of what you should be receiving. Nintendo have indeed outdone themselves. However - I've put more than 7 hours into the game and I did not once need to buy something to advance.
    Let's start anew - the game has a very polished look, even though it might be too childish at times. It retains the style introduced in Pokemon X/Y. I am not a big fan of these baby colors, but I don't mind them either. The main graphical difference that is of significance is the look of the Pokemon. Even though I understand why they have to be represented simply by their heads (because they are spherical I suppose), I don't understand why isn't there any type of full-body model included - when fighting against a said Pokemon, for example, or when browsing them. It would have made for a much better experience. Other than that, for what the game is, it looks very nice.
    The sound is cool. Sound effects are crisp, though silly in the same childish way. There is a multitude of musical themes that the player will listen while playing. I prefer to play with the sound off. While the music design isn't terrible, it isn't what I would call good music.
    Gameplaywise - there are a lot of things everyone would like to see included. The lack of any context or story is a bit annoying, so is the extreme similarities between the different types and species of Pokemon, no to mention some very illogical things. But with this being a free game I will judge only what is present. And that is a very clever and challenging match-3 puzzle game. Some stages are way too easy, others - very hard. At times the game feels like part of the winning strategy is to actually use the "optional" power ups. Something that I find to be a little strange is the hint system - 9/10 times, if you follow it absolutely, you will inevitably win. Sometimes it doesn't work, but too many times it did. The most annoying part of the game is that it expects you to know why a certain pokemon is stronger or weaker against another. Even I - someone who has played Pokemon games before, can't understand this at times. But this, as you might have guessed, calls for a lot of farming to catch more and more Pokemon, so that you might counter other types (though this feels more scripted than it should). See, every presented stage is a battle against a Pokemon. You have a move limit within which you must defeat the said Pokemon via matching your chosen team of Pokemon (usually consisting of 4). If you manage to do this, you will be given the opportunity to catch the Pokemon you battled, but the % of you being successful at it depends on how many moves you used. The less you've used, the higher the chance. Which calls for more farming, because Pokemon can still level up, which is a huge grind - loads of Pokemon, most of which you will need, slow leveling. It isn't a smooth ride. But given the fact that gameplay is not demanding, yet it's challenging and fun - once you free your mind of the concept of replaying a stage 50 times, you tend to enjoy it none the less. But here is where the real problem sets in - there is a timer. You have a maximum of 5 plays, you lose 1 every time you play a stage and it takes 30 (!) minutes to recharge it. This, in my opinion, is too much. 15 minutes would have been sufficient, this way you almost don't get to play. But you can always buy some crystals to buy more plays, which is the point, I guess.
    Furthere than that, the game also offers Expert stages, where you have no move limit, but a time limit, and Special ones which offer a special Pokemon for a limited time with a battle with special conditions.
    Overall, the game is fun. It is not a bad game, though it needs to be more user friendly. However, since I have downloaded it, I've not closed the thing. Between work, study and life, I always find 5-10 minutes to play a bit, close the 3DS, keep it in my pocket until the next break and repeat this. I am sure it will eventually get old, due to the insane timer, but for a free game - you have nothing to lose.    … Expand
  5. Killzonegaming
    Mar 12, 2015
    7
    This game is pretty much a mediocre mobile game.
    So what? It's a mobile game. Not everyone wants to crap out 500$ for a Iphone to play some Candy Crush. This game's microtransactions can be ignored, and you have a fun puzzle game.
  6. osueboy
    Mar 7, 2015
    6
    The game is fun, as every other puzzle game, this is not something relevant, its the same mechanic we already know from hundreds other match 3 games, what sets it apart is that you play with pokemons and you collect them, level 'em up and has all the strategic feeling of any other pokemon game, pick super effective pokemons and everything will be fine. that being said... Comparing thisThe game is fun, as every other puzzle game, this is not something relevant, its the same mechanic we already know from hundreds other match 3 games, what sets it apart is that you play with pokemons and you collect them, level 'em up and has all the strategic feeling of any other pokemon game, pick super effective pokemons and everything will be fine. that being said... Comparing this game to candy crush you will be really angry when you spend hearts even when you win, you have a 30 minute counter that you can empty in 10 minutes, that leaves you with a really limited game time. unless you pay and to be honest i would rather pay 10 usd for this game an unlock it all, or any other puzzler than spend 5 dollars for 5 gems that will give me 1 hour of game time. To gain value this should give special rewards for the main pokemon games, as the manaphy game did before... now paying only for stones... why bother.… Expand
  7. SirKirbyThe4th
    Feb 20, 2015
    7
    It's free, what would you expect? Anyways, this is a decent puzzle game that is way more in-depth than you think. The best part is you can select any 4 Pokemon in you collection to battle. The worst part is those "hints" that tell you where to put what pieces where, & they are usually not the best decision.
  8. MattLo
    Feb 20, 2015
    7
    Game is basically a Pokemon version of the mobile game "Best Fiends". It's a fun little game to play when you're just looking for something to take about 10 or so minutes. Sure the game has micro-transactions but really the only thing that limits is how much time you spend playing. You aren't being charged to obtain better Pokemon. You can get all of them without paying a cent. DefinitelyGame is basically a Pokemon version of the mobile game "Best Fiends". It's a fun little game to play when you're just looking for something to take about 10 or so minutes. Sure the game has micro-transactions but really the only thing that limits is how much time you spend playing. You aren't being charged to obtain better Pokemon. You can get all of them without paying a cent. Definitely recommended for any fans of the "match 3" genre.… Expand
  9. Beastprogamer
    Apr 26, 2015
    5
    I realized that I've gone TOO far with my last review. This game is fun but has to be the worst Pokemon game next to Rumble U. The graphics are okay. The gameplay is fine. The alternate stages suck. This is a free game and I would go ahead and download it if you like Candy Crush and Pokemon together. If you don't like Pokemon games, you are silly as J Bieber.
  10. bobbyman46
    Feb 25, 2015
    7
    This game is really, really far from perfect. The timer and the microtransactions are a huge turn off. However, it does serve as a fun little distraction for a bit of time. I find a lot of enjoyment in catching certain pokemon that only have a 10% catch rate though.
  11. Aozz101x
    Mar 15, 2015
    7
    Pokemon Shuffle is an ok free to play game but limits on what you do on the game itself,
    this is one pokemon game that i enjoy it's best but could do better.
  12. ilikecamperz
    Feb 22, 2015
    7
    Certainly addicting and great but only if you had earn Jewels more commonly instead of buying a bunch for more than the cost Majora's mask 3D, Also hearts? Dumbest IOS mechanic ever!, But still fun and addicting a little harder than what I expected.
  13. BaganLeleo
    May 3, 2015
    6
    While it isn't a good game by any standards it's fun for what it's worth, also the micro transactions aren't necessary to have fun with this game, just don't go in expecting to play for 8 hours straight.
  14. pacouranga
    Mar 23, 2015
    6
    At its core, a decent puzzle game. Freemium model very poorly implemented as progress, and fun, are both stilted and slow.

    Reducing the Hearts timer to 5-10 minutes would be a smart change; as it stands each Heart (heart = one attempt at a level) takes 30 minutes to regenerate and they max out at 5. In later levels this means you may only clear one or two levels (or less, if you're    At its core, a decent puzzle game. Freemium model very poorly implemented as progress, and fun, are both stilted and slow.

    Reducing the Hearts timer to 5-10 minutes would be a smart change; as it stands each Heart (heart = one attempt at a level) takes 30 minutes to regenerate and they max out at 5. In later levels this means you may only clear one or two levels (or less, if you're trying for the brutal, Trozei-esque Expert levels) and are then faced with TWO AND A HALF HOURS before you've regenerated.

    Another fix: let players buy coins with Play Coins. Or better yet, tie in the pedometer so 1 step = 1 coin! Coins are a rare commodity without spending real money, and besides checking in once a day for 500 coins, there are no reasonable ways to earn them. 500 coins per day while even the most modest power-up costs 300; other power-ups range in the mid-to-high thousands.

    Finally, offer an "Ultra ball" 3x or 4x catch modifier for one gem or even a handful of coins. I'd be more tempted to spend money on gems if a gem could virtually guarantee catching some of the harder pokemon that average out to 10-15% catch rates. Spending 2500 coins (an almost week-long investment, remember?) to bump an 8% to a 16% is plainly not worth it. I would be way more inclined to shell out coins or even a gem for a 24 or 32% chance.

    One last small complaint: streetpass is currently borderline worthless. It very occasionally gives a few coins, but not enough to make it worth taking up a streetpass slot when far better games with far better SP uses exist. Show our SPs on the map! Maybe reveal where their current team's mons are on the map! Anything would be a nice change.

    And that's really the gist of Pokemon Shuffle's model: any change would be a good one.    … Expand
  15. Digibutter64
    Jun 3, 2018
    6
    A fairly accomplished puzzle game. There's some new stuff here if you've played similar games before, but the microtransaction "free-to-play" format leaves a sour taste in my mouth (the microtransactions aren't as bad as some other games though).
  16. EpicLadySponge
    Jun 7, 2016
    5
    A basically pay-to-win game that use tutorials that get seriously annoying (Yeah, Amelia, I'm looking at you.) and microtransactions that are required to beat the game. Worth playing once, but not a second try.
  17. GamecubeLover
    Jul 28, 2016
    5
    Pokemon Shuffle isn't anything special and it is your generic and usual tetris clone but pokemon type but this time the game is close to mediocre so yea.
  18. Toasttt
    Mar 26, 2022
    5
    meh .
  19. Albeirito
    Sep 4, 2023
    6
    Tu típico juego de móvil, estilo candy crush, en el que, a diferencia del susodicho juego, dependes mucho mas de la suerte que en el candy crush.
    Os lo voy a resumir por completo: Hay muchos niveles en los que tienes que capturar pokemon y usarlos para capturar a mas pokemon con ese sistema parecido al candy crush.
    Evidentemente, necesitas conectar mas de 2 neuronas a la hora de jugar,    Tu típico juego de móvil, estilo candy crush, en el que, a diferencia del susodicho juego, dependes mucho mas de la suerte que en el candy crush.
    Os lo voy a resumir por completo: Hay muchos niveles en los que tienes que capturar pokemon y usarlos para capturar a mas pokemon con ese sistema parecido al candy crush.
    Evidentemente, necesitas conectar mas de 2 neuronas a la hora de jugar, porque si haces los suficientes movimientos estúpidos acabas perdiendo (lo cual es bastante difícil, ya que el juego te marca cual es el mejor movimiento que puedes hacer según la IA, en todo momento).
    Luego está el modo de extras, el el que dependes un poco menos de la suerte y mucho mas del ingenio que tengas a la hora de jugar y los buenos movimientos que hagas tú en el tiempo limite que se te asigna.

    6.0/10    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best 3DS Game of 2015
6
#6 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
41
#41 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 4 out of 16
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 20, 2015
    50
    If you have the patience of a saint and like the pick-up-and-play experience, Pokémon Shuffle might be perfect for you. If you don't like the idea of being nickel-and-dimed to experience puzzling at a normal pace, this game's sure to get your blood boiling. [Issue #14: Old vs. New – March/April 2015, p.24]
  2. NZGamer
    Apr 13, 2015
    45
    Simple gameplay hamstrung by freemium features.
    Read full review
  3. SpazioGames
    Apr 8, 2015
    55
    An unfair business model sucks out all the enjoyment that Pokemon Shuffle can grant if played in very short bursts.
    Read full review
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