Gamers of the 1990s will fondly remember Nintendo’s Pokémon Snap, a casual game that traded the fighting/capturing mechanic of the franchise for a photo-tourist approach instead. It’s taken more than 20 years, but we finally have a follow-up to that very game in New Pokémon Snap, a not-so-inspired title that’s nonetheless taking plenty of inspiration from the original. So just how much of the new game is retreading old ground, and how much is truly new? That’s what we’re here to share with you today!
We’ve put together everything we know about New Pokémon Snap ahead of its release at the end of the month. That includes the game’s story, its gameplay, the characters and Pokémon involved in all of it, and all the marketing material that’s been shared out by the teams behind the scenes so far. Consider this a perfect primer for you if you’ve never played the original Pokémon Snap and want to check out the new title, or if you just want to get caught up on the most-anticipated new Pokémon adventure of the year. Be sure to let us know if we missed anything along the way!
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The Basics
Image via Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Developed by: Bandai Namco Studios
- Published by: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Genre / sub-genre: Single-player first-person rail-“shooter” simulation
- Pre-order status: Available now
- Cost: $59.99 MSRP
- Release Date: April 30, 2021
- Rated: E for Everyone
- File Size: 6.8GB
- DLCs: TBA
The Story: Is It a Remake or a Sequel?
Image via Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
First and foremost, you should understand that New Pokémon Snap is a sequel, not a remake, a remaster, or a reinterpretation. All-new story, region, and mechanics await you! With that out of the way, here’s the official synopsis to get you started:
Get ready for New Pokémon Snap, an all-new adventure for Nintendo Switch that’s inspired by the classic Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap. In New Pokémon Snap, you’ll explore deserts, jungles, and more as you photograph fan-favorite Pokémon and discover never-before-seen Pokémon expressions and behaviors.
Those biomes all belong in the new Lental Region. We’ll get to explore its beaches,…