Nintendo launches 'Nintendo Badge Arcade,' features microtransactions and stickers for 3DS home menu

Nintendo Signage — Nintendo signage is displayed at the company's booth at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

With reports of Nintendo shifting its gears toward free-to-play mobile gaming, the company has released a new title for its 3DS handheld. The new title not only provides hours of game time but also rewards players with customisation items for the home screen of the 3DS.

The downloadable title available at the 3DS Nintendo eShop is a 3DS exclusive that is free-to-play but is supported by microtransactions. The trailer seen below for the new “Nintendo Badge Arcade” also allows players to decorate their 3DS home menu with a slew of obtainable stickers featuring popular Nintendo characters. The game itself is several spins on the crane game.

The game is free; additionally, the first round is also on the house. However, future rounds will come at a cost. Players who want to continue the game and earn badges could opt to pay US$1 (AU$1.41). They could also get a chance to play for free as they can obtain badges that allow them to do so.

Nintendo’s “Badge Arcade” isn’t a new title. In fact, the game has been available in Japan before, Destructoid reports. It is only until recently that Nintendo opted to bring the game to Western territories.

This isn’t Nintendo’s first foray into free-to-play games with microtransactions. However, former President Satoru Iwata had said before that having microtransations in games is not something that he is fond off. Some free Nintendo games featuring microransactions include “Steel Diver: Sub Wars” and “Stretchmo” for the 3DS.

The microtransactions for the games are not small additions to the title. For example, “Stretchmo” charges players for additional levels. “Steel Diver: Sub Wars” also offers additional levels and sells additional vehicles as well.