Well given how most of the other major Japanese publishers have either done so or plan to and the dire straits of the Wii U, it really isn't that much of a surprise Nintendo plans to test the revenue model.

http://www.gamespot.com/e3/nintendo-will-release-a-free-to-play-game-before-april-2014-6410012/

http://www.vg247.com/2013/06/12/nintendo-to-launch-free-to-play-game-not-based-on-pokemon-or-mario-ip/

It will be interesting how well this gets received, I think their previous DLC attempts with Fire Emblem and New Super Mario 2 were somewhat successful.

Something about the whole thing just makes me think "Art Academy"

Iwata mentioned it being an upcoming release for Wii U, and its an easy game to break up and sell certain brushes and tools separate from the base game. Would be pretty lame though, since we do already know about it.

At this stage, I ain't even mad. I'm just curious as all hell.

This could be the next Puzzles and Dragons for all we know.

And apparently the Free to Play game is a new Steel Diver...


I feel very much relieved I won't be tempted by this all that much.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/18/nintendos-free-to-play-game-is-steel-diver

My thought exactly. I'll download it for free since I've never played Steel Diver so I'm curious and want a taste of what it's like. But I won't go farther than that unless I end up REALLY liking it wich is REALLY unlikely.

They should start now with Wii games. Nothing major though, you don't want to compete with your own software.