Today’s best Pokemon Snap deals
New Pokémon Snap is exactly what its title suggests. Pokémon fans know that Nintendo typically does a great job remaking its older games. We’ve already seen several recent examples of this with Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee, as well as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Now, Nintendo has refreshed a 1999 Nintendo N64 classic in the aptly named “New Pokémon Snap.” Although the game is fun, its high price of $59.99 is difficult to justify, considering its short and somewhat monotonous gameplay.
In our New Pokémon Snap review below, we highlight that while we thoroughly enjoyed the ability to engage with a wide variety of Pokémon, the game’s magic wears off rather quickly due to repetitive level design. Nonetheless, some diehard fans of the franchise are bound to get a short burst of serotonin, despite the game’s disappointing replay value.
- Pokemon Snap (Switch) at Amazon for $54.99
New Pokémon Snap review: Plot
New Pokémon Snap takes place in an entirely new region called Lental. After choosing an avatar for your character and passing a short tutorial, you encounter Professor Mirror and his assistant Rita as part of an ecological survey. Your character must explore the region’s beaches, jungles, and deserts in an effort to photograph wild species of Pokémon in their natural habitats.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Part of your assignment also involves researching the Lental region’s unique Illumina phenomenon. This allows you to throw orbs that illuminate Pokémon, giving them a stunning glow that’s bound to brighten up your photographs.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
As you progress through Lental’s islands using the futuresque NEO-ONE safari exploration vehicle, you’ll encounter over 200 different species of Pokémon from previous games. These include fan favorites, such as Pikachu, Eevee and Charizard from Kanto, Pichu from Johto, Piplup and Bidoof from Sinnoh and Grookey from Galar. There are even a few legendaries involved, including Celebi, Mew, Ho-Oh and Lugia.
In terms of the game’s story, that’s pretty much it. You enter a new area, take pictures of Pokémon, replay until you can advance through the map, then move on. It’s not exactly ground-breaking.
New Pokémon Snap review: Gameplay
As you complete each part of your journey, your goal remains the same: Capture four images of every Pokémon for your portfolio. The Professor rates your photographs from one to four stars, depending on factors such as the subject’s Pose, Size, Direction, Placement, other Pokémon present within the picture and Background.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Each stage contains a number of secrets, which allow you to coax some of the rarer Pokémon out into the open. To do this, you can scan your surroundings with your camera, play a soothing melody or — more amusingly — throw apple-like Fluffruits. These either attract wild Pokémon, or smack them on the head to provoke some sort of reaction.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Finding new ways of…