To dispel the notion that Nintendo is entering entirely uncharted territory, it has already done free-to-play -- to great success, actually. Rusty's Real Deal Baseball was one of my favorite games of 2014, and implemented the scheme in an incredibly unique and very Nintendo way. Although I'm not a big fan of Steeldiver: Sub Wars' gameplay, the model is fantastic. What the company has done with Pokémon Shuffle is a complete 180 from its past triumphs, and frankly disappointing given that it's a child-oriented IP. I don't know if Nintendo, its board members, Genius Sonority, or The Pokemon Company is to blame, but either way you slice it it's not good.
There is something about a good puzzle game. They tend to be one of the most welcoming genres, with easy to understand concepts, difficulty that can grow with players and matches that may be brief or even endless. Well crafted ones are accessible, which is great. When it comes to Nintendo, some of the puzzle games it has created and published go a step further. While not all of their games accommodate people who might be colorblind, quite a few do.
Hardcore Gamer: It's been a couple of months since the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon and years since the launch of Pokémon Shuffle, but the two are finally combining to give you more content. Trainers ready for more challenges will surely be excited to play with new Pokémon.
Michibiku's Jenni Lada writes, "Pokemon Shuffle is a thing. It isn’t a bad thing, in the world of exploitative, free-to-play puzzle games, but isn’t the best thing either. Rather, it’s a title that occupies a rather tenuous position. Compelling mechanics and collectible critters abound, but are caught up in framework that inhibits gameplay and capriciously doles out wins and new characters."
