It's not gambling. The whole thing is under your control. It's not like those real-world crane games, which are programmed to fail most of the time (from what I've heard, the typical rate at which it works properly is 1 in 42, or something like that). If you're skilled, you will get what you're going for.

It's a game of skill, not a game of chance.

Gambling games dont have to cheat to be gambling games (most gambling games are fair) and this game is the definition of gambling. In this case theyre trying to build the rush you get from gambling to get you to risk money for the chance of something of almost no value. The gambling rush is adictive and distorts people sence if value. This little game seems to be nintendos first step.

I'm sorry, but no, it's not gambling. Most gambling games are fair, but they're based on luck. Poker involves the luck of the draw, for instance. This isn't based on luck. Performance is 100% within the player's control. Gambling happens when winning and losing isn't entirely within the control of the player.

You seem to have a rather twisted definition of gambling, if you think it's about the rush. And I'm guessing you haven't played it, because there's really not much of a "rush".

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Did I say gambling... I meant to say 'worse than gambing' because at least with gambing you have a protential prize of value.

As for my rush comment. I was refering to Nintendo motive, I was not using the word to define gambiling... Or perhaps you don't think people get rushes off gambing and similar risky activity.

Not really a game though...

2/10 for a game that's free. You get what you pay for.

I don't consider it even a game, it's more like an interactive theme for the 3DS.

Yet you still haven't responded to my point about it not being a game of luck.

Let me put it this way - you know what Skee Ball is? It's a game of skill. It's found at various arcades and similar places, and if you do well, you get a heap of tokens, which you spend to buy little trinkets, not unlike the badges. Playing Skee Ball is not gambling, because it's not a game of luck, and it's not a competition. Your reward does not depend on anything except your own skill. It is not even in the realm of gambling.

It is only "risky" in the sense that you won't do well if you screw up. But it's within your control, not the game's. And the only rush you get it when you play really well and pick just the right badge to get, thus getting a heap in one go... and that sort of "rush" isn't the sort that gets people addicted.

The game is a diversion, not a gambling machine. It's a little something you spend a few minutes on each day for the practice, and hopefully free, plays. And if you really want to get a particular badge or set of badges, and aren't patient, you spend a small amount of money, and get those badges.

Black Jack and various other gambling games do involve skill and they are still considered gambling-  

The Nintendo game has you paying for a chance to win nothing

I saw people practically begging for this game since it was apparently released in Japan a while ago and after spending a few minutes with it I can't begin to imagine why anyone would want anything to do with it. 2/10 is generous.