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New Pokémon Snap – Relaxing Photography Adventure
A charming sequel to the N64 classic that transforms Pokémon photography into a contemplative 12-hour journey with 200+ creatures to capture. Metacritic: 79/100.
Game Info
Verdict
Charming photography adventure that justifies the 22-year wait with accessible gameplay, meditative pacing, and surprising depth for completionists.
Pros
- Accessible photography mechanics requiring minimal gaming experience
- Stable 60 fps performance across all Switch modes
- Substantial replay value with 800+ unique shots to capture
- Beautiful environments with genuine environmental storytelling
- Relaxing, stress-free progression ideal for mindfulness play
- Photo editing tools add creative expression post-capture
Cons
- Limited mechanical depth beyond photography collection
- Repetitive route-running becomes grindy for completionists
- Single free content update then abandonment
- No multiplayer cooperation or competitive elements
- Linear on-rail design restricts exploration freedom
Performance Notes
Stable 60 fps across all Switch modes (docked, handheld, tabletop). 1440p resolution docked, 1080p handheld. No performance compromise between play styles. Optimized graphics maintain vibrant colors without frame drops.
New Pokémon Snap revitalizes a dormant franchise by combining serene on-rail exploration with genuine photographic satisfaction. Released in 2021 after 22 years, this sequel modernizes the original concept by adding narrative structure, environmental interaction, and robust photo-editing tools. Critics praised its accessibility and charm, while acknowledging its repetitive structure. Players seeking meditation-style gameplay find transcendence here; those demanding mechanical depth may feel underwhelmed. This review explores what makes Pokémon Snap distinct in gaming’s wider landscape.
How to Play New Pokémon Snap
Explore pre-determined routes through the Lental archipelago aboard an automated hovercraft, photographing Pokémon in natural habitats. You control only the camera, throwing items to trigger behavior, and solving environmental puzzles without combat or stat management.
- Controls – Motion controls or traditional stick-based camera aiming; accessible learning curve suited for casual audiences
- Progression – Unlock new routes and environmental challenges through story missions while collecting research tasks
- Photography Mechanics – Snap four-star worthy poses, use Scan, Fluff, Illumina orbs, and environmental cues to trigger rare interactions
- Tips – Experiment with routes at different times of day; replaying courses reveals new Pokémon and hidden branching paths
Who Should Play New Pokémon Snap
Target audience spans casual photographers, Pokémon collectors, younger family members, and mindfulness-seeking adults. Multiplayer-averse players find sanctuary in solo exploration; completionists chase 800+ unique shots.
- Pokémon Collectors – Digital photography trophy hunting for 200+ creatures across rarity tiers
- Casual Gamers – No failure states, stress-free progression, inviting difficulty scaling
- Completionists – Post-game leaderboards, global rankings, and achievement hunting extend engagement
- Skip if – You demand combat, multiplayer cooperation, strategic depth, or significant narrative complexity
New Pokémon Snap Platform Performance
Exclusively optimized for Nintendo Switch hardware. The game runs at stable 60 fps in handheld and docked modes with vibrant color rendering and no performance compromise between play styles. This represents one of the Switch’s technically impressive visual achievements despite handheld constraints.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch (Docked) | 1440p | 60 | Smooth, consistent performance; no framerate dips |
| Nintendo Switch (Handheld) | 1080p | 60 | Maintains parity with docked; optimized battery drain |
| Nintendo Switch (Tabletop) | 1080p | 60 | Joy-Con detached motion controls fully supported |
New Pokémon Snap System Requirements
Nintendo Switch-exclusive title requires only the base console and appropriate storage. No PC version exists. The game demands 10 GB storage space and 32 GB total console storage; microSD card strongly recommended for digital purchases and photo library expansion.
| Component | Nintendo Switch Requirement |
|---|---|
| Console | Nintendo Switch (any model) |
| Storage Required | 10 GB |
| RAM (Internal) | 4 GB (console-level, user cannot modify) |
| Internet Connection | Required for online photo sharing and leaderboards |
| Nintendo Switch Online | Required for photo sharing, ratings, and Lental Chat features |
Similar Games to New Pokémon Snap
Photography-focused games occupy a niche market. New Pokémon Snap’s blend of Pokémon IP, accessible gameplay, and meditative pacing remains largely unmatched. Comparable titles emphasize similar mechanics over IP value. Each offers distinct tonal and mechanical variations while sharing the core photo-capture loop.
- Umurangi Generation – Indie photography game with political undertones; faster pace, grittier aesthetic
- Viewfinder – Puzzle-photography hybrid requiring spatial reasoning and recursive thinking
- A Short Hike – Exploration-focused indie with photography mechanics as secondary feature
- Unpacking – Narrative-driven photography of domestic spaces; slower, reflective pacing
New Pokémon Snap vs Competitors
New Pokémon Snap occupies a unique category as the dominant commercial photography game on Switch. Competitors exist on PC, PlayStation, and as indie titles. Direct comparison proves difficult given genre positioning, pricing, and target demographics. Most players don’t evaluate it against shooters or action titles, but rather other relaxation games.
| Feature | New Pokémon Snap | Umurangi Generation | A Short Hike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $14.99 | $19.99 |
| Playtime (Story) | 12 hours | 4-6 hours | 3-4 hours |
| 100% Completion | 30+ hours | 8-10 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Online Features | Photo sharing, leaderboards | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Metacritic | 79 | 82 | 85 |
New Pokémon Snap Story and World
Professor Mirror studies the mysterious Illumina phenomenon affecting Pokémon across the Lental archipelago. You join as a research photographer, documenting behavioral patterns and environmental interactions. The narrative remains understated, prioritizing player agency and discovery over exposition. Environmental storytelling emerges through Pokémon ecology clues and world-building details. Visiting locations at different times reveals narrative threads connecting to the overarching mystery. The tone balances whimsical creature encounters with subtle environmental messaging about habitat preservation and coexistence. World-building emphasizes player observation rather than cutscene delivery.
New Pokémon Snap Multiplayer and Online
Single-player photography dominates, but asynchronous online features enable community engagement. Nintendo Switch Online subscription required for all online functionality. Upload photos to shared galleries where other players rate submissions using “Sweet!” medals. Leaderboards track players globally and locally by Photodex completion score. Lental Chat enables text-based communication between players reviewing shared photos.
- Photo Sharing – Upload unlimited snaps to online gallery viewable by all players worldwide
- Sweet Medals – Equivalent to “like” system; receive medals from other players rating your submissions
- Global Leaderboards – Rank by Photodex score across all players; local rankings available
- Lental Chat – Text commentary system for discussing photos and sharing discoveries
New Pokémon Snap DLC and Expansions
Single free content update released August 2021 added three new courses and 20 additional Pokémon, bringing roster to 234 total. No subsequent paid DLC released. Update maintained momentum post-launch but developer focus shifted to other projects. The base game plus August update represents complete content package.
- August 2021 Free Update – Three new exploration courses: Snowfield, Beach Resort, Volcano
- 20 New Pokémon – Expanded creature roster with unique environmental interactions
- No Paid DLC – Nintendo’s DLC strategy for this title involved single free expansion
- Post-Launch Support – Bug fixes and stability patches continued through 2022
New Pokémon Snap Community and Support
Official community remains active across multiple platforms despite limited post-launch development. Subreddit communities host photography contests, achievement discussions, and discovery sharing. Nintendo maintains official forums with development updates and patch notes. Modding community minimal due to console exclusivity. Developer communication through official channels provides roadmap transparency.
- Official Forums – Nintendo hosts community discussion and developer announcements
- Reddit Community – r/PokemonSnap hosts 80,000+ members sharing photos and strategies
- Discord Servers – Multiple community-run Discord channels organize photo contests and speedruns
- Content Creator Support – Nintendo encourages Twitch and YouTube content through screenshot functionality