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. EnderDragon
    Feb 20, 2015
    10
    I wish you had more than 5 moves max, but other than that minor complaint, this is a really fun game overall. A lot of people hate micro transactions, but they are never required to do anything in the game. Love the puzzle aspect and I enjoy Pokémon spin-off games. Think Candy Crush, but with Pokémon aspects to it.
  2. fabio00
    Feb 22, 2015
    10
    This is a wonderful game that is a great spin-off to the main series.
    Although is free you can pay for more attempts but it´s not necessary because you can wait to get more.
    You don´t really have to pay.
    Also, I love the mega evolution song!
  3. Joakojm
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    Very addictive game it is fun and it is not necessary to spend a penny if you have a strong heart and cold mind jajajaja xDD
    Purist ones will hate this game by using a big franchise in F2P model but like Mario Kart 8 dlc, Nintendo takes advantage of it and brings quality and fun!!
  4. ErickMallaco
    Feb 24, 2015
    10
    jogo viciante , mesmo com o limite de vida consegue ser viciante. jogo com dificuldade media. Agora nao sei oq falar mas tipo o jogo e DE GRAÇA entao e foda!!!!
  5. Uddermode
    Mar 26, 2015
    10
    I have to give this game a 10 because I just love it so much. I have played 70+ hours without spending any money. The people who complain about this games must not be able to get past level 5 or something. I have caught every pokemon except for 2 so far and it only took in 1-3 tries. If it wasn't for the life limit I would never stop playing and so for that I'm grateful.

    Look this game    I have to give this game a 10 because I just love it so much. I have played 70+ hours without spending any money. The people who complain about this games must not be able to get past level 5 or something. I have caught every pokemon except for 2 so far and it only took in 1-3 tries. If it wasn't for the life limit I would never stop playing and so for that I'm grateful.

    Look this game isn't groundbreaking and it isn't even the best match-3 puzzle game out there. This is a game to play while you on the toilet or on a bus and need to kill a few minutes. It is a game for the pokemon fan. I am a huge pokemon fan and I'm addicted to this game.    … Expand
  6. njlwag
    May 22, 2015
    10
    This game is pronominal. It is so much fun! Its free, time consuming, and competitive. During Lunch time at school all of my friends and I sit around playing Pokemon Shuffle all getting mad and yelling at our 3DS because of how hard the game is.
  7. CharizardWWE
    Jun 28, 2015
    10
    I really like this game. I know it only have 5 lives but i really like the idea of extra lives. There are some levels that are difficult and i like that.
  8. Dari-kun
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    This game is really addictive and fun. I especially love the Live Competitions. Pokemon Shuffle is a great game because it has a time limit between obtaining new plays, making it an ideal game to jump to and take a break while playing other games or when you're on the go. New material is added weekly and it is such a simple yet difficult game, simple to play, difficult if you want everyThis game is really addictive and fun. I especially love the Live Competitions. Pokemon Shuffle is a great game because it has a time limit between obtaining new plays, making it an ideal game to jump to and take a break while playing other games or when you're on the go. New material is added weekly and it is such a simple yet difficult game, simple to play, difficult if you want every pokemon. It is one of the best puzzle type games I've ever played. I super recommend it, i have friends that aren't really into pkmn playing. A must have for fans of the series.… Expand
  9. Bgakaze
    May 12, 2015
    9
    This game is simple,enjoyable, and i've been playing it for 2 months already. I've everything the game can offer (until now) and didn't spend a cent. It's more difficult than it appears and some levels are nearly impossible to pass or to get an 'S' (If you get an 'S' in all main levels, you unlock more special levels).

    'Check In' everyday for 500 coins, and get dailies, in weekends a    This game is simple,enjoyable, and i've been playing it for 2 months already. I've everything the game can offer (until now) and didn't spend a cent. It's more difficult than it appears and some levels are nearly impossible to pass or to get an 'S' (If you get an 'S' in all main levels, you unlock more special levels).

    'Check In' everyday for 500 coins, and get dailies, in weekends a special level with Meowth can give you some more coins, this way you don't have to spend money buying gems. If you do this you can acquire easily 10k coins per week.

    I'm giving these tip's, because the only drawback of this game is the expensive micro transactions, if it were a little more accessible (like pokemon rumble world) it would be great.    … Expand
  10. LeviBlank
    Feb 22, 2015
    9
    If you have ever logged onto FaceBook or viewed any app store of any kind, you probably have heard or played a “match three” type of game (Candy Crush, Bejeweled, etc.) I get like fifteen requests from random people everyday on FaceBook to play these types of games. I’m sick of it, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, I have tried all of these games out. I have played them all up to the levelIf you have ever logged onto FaceBook or viewed any app store of any kind, you probably have heard or played a “match three” type of game (Candy Crush, Bejeweled, etc.) I get like fifteen requests from random people everyday on FaceBook to play these types of games. I’m sick of it, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, I have tried all of these games out. I have played them all up to the level where I get stuck and can’t advance without bashing my head on the door. I have sat around in public and heard middle age ladies **** and moan about how they “can’t get passed level 178 on Candy Crush.” Even popular video games like “Evolve” have companion apps centered around this model.

    I downloaded Pokemon Shuffle (free on the 3DS eShop) having no idea what it was going to be. I knew that it was free, so my hopes were not high at all. While the tutorial was spoon feeding me a genre that I was sick of, something felt nice. It felt like my mother’s home cooking. Something just felt right to me. The cute and catchy aspect of Pokemon was overpowering the annoying aspects of this genre. I started to feel what those middle age ladies were feeling all along. I was hooked after about twenty minutes of playing.

    This game has the same concept as every other “match three” game. Except with this one, you can catch Pokemon and use them to your advantage in an RPG style team system. You get to level your Pokemon individually, while using their abilities to your advantage against wild Pokemon and trainers. The different effectiveness of your Pokemon plus the newer “Mega Evolution” system adds a refreshing depth and strategic element to an extremely bland genre of games. While going through the main step by step progression through the game, you have special and expert events going on where you can catch more rare Pokemon. Don’t be fooled though, the more exotic the Pokemon, the harder the challenge.

    After you battle the Pokemon, you get a chance to catch the them. While attempting to catch a Pokemon, you are given a “Catchability Meter.” This is a feature that shows you the percentage that you have to catch the given Pokemon, and adding more depending on your bonuses in the match. I personally wish this feature was implemented into every single Pokemon game. If you fail to catch the Pokemon on the first try, you are given a “Great Ball” chance, which costs in-game currency.

    This game is fun and extremely addictive. It leaves me to ask one very important question, why has Nintendo not put this game onto iOS and Android marketplaces?! I would spend hours on my phone playing this game. Seeing the success of games like it, Nintendo would be moronic to only keep this game on the eShop. I’m sure it will make tons of money due to in-game purchases, but I can’t see too much money outside of Japan. If this was on the Google Play and Apple Store, there is an unlimited amount of money to be made. When I am playing my 3DS, I don’t want to spend too much time on a game like this. I want to be playing full length games that I payed thirty or more dollars for. I just really think that Nintendo dropped the ball there. Other than that, this game is very fun and I plan to play more of it when I can.    … Expand
  11. Drigo_Elder
    Feb 25, 2015
    9
    If you are one of the new generation gamers borned in the recent games era and not played the portable games of the GB, GBC and GBA era, you will HATE this game... But, if you playing Nintendo portable games since Game Boy this game is perfect. Unlike to the new common sense, portable games don't need to be very complex with a deep Hollywoodian history, the only mission of them isIf you are one of the new generation gamers borned in the recent games era and not played the portable games of the GB, GBC and GBA era, you will HATE this game... But, if you playing Nintendo portable games since Game Boy this game is perfect. Unlike to the new common sense, portable games don't need to be very complex with a deep Hollywoodian history, the only mission of them is entertain you in the bus or trains,and Pokemon Shuffle is very competent to do this. Well, it's Candy Crush without Candy.… Expand
  12. LinkcarioX
    Mar 9, 2015
    9
    Is a very addctive game, is very enjoyable, but, I don't like the idea of Buy jewels with real money, and you have very few hearts, besides you need a lot of jewels to enjoy the game at 100%.
    However is a good game.
    If you are a Pokemon Fan, and you like the puzzles games I recomend you this game.
    Sorry is If have misspellings, but my english is not very good.
  13. Jill_Sandwich
    Mar 25, 2015
    9
    Level 105, haven't spent a dime on it. Sofar all of the negative feedback on this game is from people who haven't played it, or people who gave it a bad review solely because of Microtransactions "on principal." Only the most impatient & poor-in-strategy will actually buy hearts. Frankly, using the shop items feels like cheating; catching them on your own with no "assistance" feels moreLevel 105, haven't spent a dime on it. Sofar all of the negative feedback on this game is from people who haven't played it, or people who gave it a bad review solely because of Microtransactions "on principal." Only the most impatient & poor-in-strategy will actually buy hearts. Frankly, using the shop items feels like cheating; catching them on your own with no "assistance" feels more rewarding.

    The wait time for a complete refill is only half an hour, half the length of any other game with time breaks. After you use your 5 hearts, you only have to wait 5 minutes for the 6th before the half hour break. By then, you will already have been playing for a half hour. Other games with time breaks don't give you anything close to that much time of solid gameplay until you ht a time wall.

    I liked the level variety & the detail put into it, & the varying scale of difficulty. Give-or-take on the music; one level did have some harsh high pitched bells. Play it when you're drinking your morning coffee, just before bed, or in the bathroom, on the bus, etc.    … Expand
  14. sgotsch
    Feb 25, 2015
    8
    Took me some days to really appreciate that game. (Thank you heart system for taking out the grinding speed.)

    I'm not spending a single cent on this game but with 135 stages cleared and 91 Pokemon caught, you don't have to pay to win. (Which is totally possible.) In fact the games offers lots of dephts for a match-3-puzzler. The Pokemon-types, the abilities Mega Evolutions and combo    Took me some days to really appreciate that game. (Thank you heart system for taking out the grinding speed.)

    I'm not spending a single cent on this game but with 135 stages cleared and 91 Pokemon caught, you don't have to pay to win. (Which is totally possible.)

    In fact the games offers lots of dephts for a match-3-puzzler. The Pokemon-types, the abilities Mega Evolutions and combo cascades are creating a solid gameplay. I'm especially liking that you can plan out your moves like you are playing chess due to the missing time limit.

    Winning the levels is super easy. The difficulty comes when you are planning to catch that Pokemon, because you need to finish with as many moves left as possible. At this part the consideration kicks in, pondering wether to spent your precious coins and jewels or save them for later.

    -> Collection Pokemon in a puzzler with casino like gambling in the background is fun! :) Don't let the Microtransaction-Phobiest troll you. Free fun - that's what it is.    … Expand
  15. Alluminn
    Feb 25, 2015
    8
    Honestly, it's what you get in a modern-day FTP game. Yeah, it has micro-transactions to keep playing - so do the vast majority of professionally-produced free games. You have hearts that are used each time you play a level (versus in games like Candy Crush in which you only lose a life when you fail to complete a level), so you can really only play 5 levels in one sitting. Once you beatHonestly, it's what you get in a modern-day FTP game. Yeah, it has micro-transactions to keep playing - so do the vast majority of professionally-produced free games. You have hearts that are used each time you play a level (versus in games like Candy Crush in which you only lose a life when you fail to complete a level), so you can really only play 5 levels in one sitting. Once you beat the level you have a chance to catch the Pokemon, with your odds going up depending on the fewer moves you used. It is essentially Candy Crush: Pokemon Edition, and going into it knowing that you'll enjoy the game for what it is. Most of the assets that went into making the game looks to have come from Pokemon: Battle Trozei, and the game itself is essentially a toned-down version of Battle Trozei, so right from that you can tell not a lot of manpower was diverted from other projects to make this game a reality. It was enjoyable, but if you want something without all the microtransactions then just fork up the $8 to buy Battle Trozei.… Expand
  16. Lagamedog
    Mar 3, 2015
    8
    What can I say, this is a f2p game but does not force you to pay. One part that I like about this game is that you do not have to capture a Pokemon to continue to the next level. If you like Pokemon then you might like this if you like f2p games that don't make you pay to win.
  17. Tbone413
    Apr 16, 2015
    8
    This game is actually really fun. It doesn't get too addicting, but I still love it. Although this is not my favourite genre of games, this is definitely one of the best match-three puzzle games I've played. I would recommend downloading this game since it's free and fun.
  18. mrsushi64
    Feb 19, 2015
    8
    It`s a fun game and very challenging sometimes, but have some problems, but they will fixed later with a new up-grate. Is a very fun game and free to play.
  19. 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.
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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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