Update:

Pokémon Shuffle is now also available as a free download in North America.

Original Article:

Pokémon Shuffle is the latest free-to-play 3DS eShop experiment from Nintendo, combining match-three puzzling with a Pokémon battling and collecting twist. As it's a free download it'll aim to sell you extra content in order to speed-up progress, or you can be patient and see the game through for free.

Like with mobile games that follow the same principles, it'll be all down to balancing, as we've argued before, but we can now see for ourselves. The puzzle title has arrived in Europe at the same time as in Japan, so it's available in the region right now - the download is only 686 blocks, too.

We expect it to pop up in North America promptly, too, but below are some key details on the in-game items required to play. Each 'play' requires a heart, and you start with five; once used up each heart takes 30 minutes to regenerate. You can use gems / jewels to buy hearts, and it's these jewels that you buy with real money or earn through StreetPass.

Initially the game provides you with in-game items, to the point that you can't 'check-in' online until the 11th stage, after it's explained various mechanics. Checking in triggers a special event and also allows you to buy items, with the economy's details below.

Gem / Jewel Prices

1 Jewel - $0.99 / €0.99 / £0.89

6 Jewels - $4.99 / €4.99 / £4.49

12 Jewels - $8.99 / €8.99 / £8.09

35 Jewels - $24.99 / €24.99 / £22.49

75 Jewels - $47.99 / €47.99 / £42.99

Hearts

5 hearts = 1 Jewel

18 hearts = 3 Jewels

38 hearts = 6 Jewels

80 hearts = 12 Jewels

Coins

3000 coins = 1 Jewels

10000 coins = 3 Jewels

22000 coins = 6 Jewels

48000 coins = 12 Jewels

Early on you certainly don't need to spend money, but how that'll balance out across the whole game is another question entirely.

Will you be giving this a try for free? Let us know.