Here's Nintendo's Latest Attempt at a Free-to-Play Game

Nintendo's free-to-play game experiments continue this week with the release of Stretchmo, a puzzle game in the Pushmo series released through the eShop as a free download for Nintendo 3DS.

The game's first seven levels are available for free. After completing those, players will have the option to purchase additional levels individually or as part of various bundles. Pricing is available below.

Stretchmo advances the series formula of pushing and pulling blocks by, as it name suggests, allowing players to stretch blocks to help them advance through puzzles. Certain blocks can stretch from every side.

What's more, the game comes with a level-creator tool called Stretchmo Studio.

Stretchmo is not Nintendo's first free-to-play game. Earlier this year, the company released Pokemon Shuffle, a match-three style puzzle game in the vein of Bejeweled or Candy Crush.

Stretchmo Level Packs:

• Mallo's Playtime Plaza ($4.99): 100 progressively challenging levels that introduce the basics of the game.
• Poppy's Sculpture Square ($2.99): 50 puzzle levels shaped like animals and objects.
• Corin's Fortress of Fun ($2.99): 50 levels featuring new gizmo obstacles and enemies.
• Papa Blox's NES Expo ($2.99): A treat for retro fans that features 50 levels based on classic NES characters.

Stretchmo Bundles:

• Bundle featuring all four attractions ($9.99).
• Bundle containing “Poppy's Sculpture Square," “Corin's Fortress of Fun," and “Papa Blox's NES Expo" after “Mallo's Playtime Plaza" has already been purchased ($6.99).
• Bundle of the remaining three attractions after purchasing either “Poppy's Sculpture Square," “Corin's Fortress of Fun," or “Papa Blox's NES Expo" ($8.99).