Pokémon Shuffle is a free to play match-3 game for 3DS, out in February

During today's Nintendo Direct event, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed Pokémon Shuffle for 3DS.

It's a free to play match-3 Pokémon-themed puzzler that will be available to download in February.

You match the heads of Pokémon in a grid on the bottom screen in order to launch attacks against wild Pokémon in the top screen.

Each match you make turns into an attack. The type of attack you launch depends on the Pokémon you match. So, if it's Pikachu, it will be an electric attack.

You're able to collect more Pokémon and train them up so that they're stronger. It's also possible for Pokémon to evolve if you train them enough.

You beat the level once you have reduced the wild Pokémon's HP to zero.

However, there is a catch. Each level restricts the number of moves you can make to defeat the wild Pokémon.

And you won't want to lose, as each time you initiate a battle, you lose one of your hearts. You start off with five hearts, and when you have none left, you have to wait for them to regenerate.

As expected, you can buy more hearts through IAPs being sold on the eShop.