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Pokemon fans clamoring for a sequel to Nintendo 64 classic Pokemon Snap have finally gotten their wish with New Pokemon Snap now available on Nintendo Switch. Whereas most Pokemon games focus on catching “em” all and pitting them in battle against each other, New Pokemon Snap takes a gentler approach: you just have to catch them on camera.
Like the original Pokemon Snap, you’ll explore territory using an enclosed vehicle, allowing you to photograph Pokemon in their natural habitats. The sequel adds new equipment to draw out various behaviors from the creatures, and a day/night mechanic to let you observer different Pokemon based on the time of day, but otherwise it’s very similar to the game fans remember.
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Now Playing: New Pokémon Snap Video Review
“Snap has always been about the joy of discovery and uncovering the secrets of the Pokemon world without interfering with it,” Jenae Sitzes wrote in GameSpot’s New Pokemon Snap review. “Its long-lasting charm has stemmed in part from emulating one of the greatest joys of photography: witnessing and capturing moments it felt like you weren’t supposed to see, like a group of Charmander performing a synchronized dance inside a volcano. 20 years later, that same charm and mystique is present in New Pokemon Snap on Nintendo Switch.”
New Pokemon Snap is coming to Nintendo Switch tomorrow, April 30. To give you a broader range of critical reviews, we’ve compiled reviews from around the industry. For even more impressions, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic. Otherwise, be sure to check out our breakdown of the biggest differences between New Pokemon Snap and the original. And if you’re playing the game, you can also look to our guide detailing how to find the Illumina Pokemon in the Lental Seafloor–something the game doesn’t make abundantly clear.
Game: New Pokemon SnapPlatforms: Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: Nintendo / Bandai NamcoRelease Date: April 30Price: $60 / £60
GameSpot — 8/10
“Though there’s sometimes a disparity between photos that make it into your Photodex and the ones you like the most, the core motivation of catching a Pokemon doing something particularly cool remains the driving force and the satisfying draw of New Pokemon Snap. 20 years later, taking photos of Pokemon in the wild remains as fun and exhilarating as it always was, and though it’s been a long time coming, New Pokemon Snap was worth the wait.” — Jenae Sitzes [Full Review]
EGM Now — 5/5
“New Pokémon Snap might be one of the most thoroughly pleasant games that’s come out for the Switch, if not ever. While the core gameplay is the same as it was in 1999, everything about the 2021 game is better. The environments are visual delights, the Pokémon are lovingly recreated, and the progression and pacing are just right. If the hobby of gaming has started to feel like a second or third job, then New Pokémon Snap might just be the vacation you need.” — Michael Goroff [Full Review]
ScreenRant — 4.5/5
“New Pokémon Snap is a stunning experience that, at its best, feels like Pokémon for the first time. It’s a little awkward to start, and the number of Pokémon on screen at one time can feel overwhelming, but it quickly becomes a relaxing and enjoyable trip through a newly discovered region. Despite not having the intense battle sequences of mainline entries in the series, New Pokémon Snap is just as exciting and challenging as a traditional creature battler. New Pokémon Snap is a game that Pokémon fans will fall in love with, while anyone put off by the battling aspect of the franchise will find a game that extolls the aesthetic virtues of the series in a much calmer, often engaging manner.” — Zackerie Fairfax [Full Review]
Game Informer — 8.5/10
“New Pokémon Snap delivers all the thrills of the original game, but that throwback spirit isn’t the only part of the experience that will give you a feeling of déjà vu.” — Brian Shea [Full Review]
Critical Hit — 8.5/10
“New Pokemon Snap captures the magic of the original game without ever losing focus, expanding on that game with a vastly increased collection of Pokemon, colourful zones to explore, and a few other interesting developments behind the lens. It’s a delightful adventure that imagines the world of Pokemon as a lively and cathartic safari.” — Darryn Bonthuys [Full Review]
VG247 — 4/5
“Even with the grind, I do adore this game, though. It’s a video game safari that manages to evoke the sense of wonder of the real thing. It’s a worthy successor to the beloved original; a comforting, gorgeous, lovely little thing that soars when it just basks in its core conceit and lets you at its content.” — Alex Donaldson [Full Review]
The Gamer — 4/5
“New Pokemon Snap has issues when it comes to tedium between courses, arbitrary solutions, and boring, barely functional extra mechanics, but the courses and Pokemon are legitimately incredible. The Photodex is a marvel, multiplayer creates healthy competition for replayability , and just being able to inhabit Lental is a spectacle in and of itself. I’m not sure I’d recommend it to someone who can’t tell Bagon from Beldum, but if you’re a born and bred Pokemon fan, New Pokemon Snap could be your sleeper hit of the year.” — Cian Maher [Full Review]
The Guardian — 3/5
“It is still enjoyable, because the Pokémon themselves are so interesting to look at; it’s just not wildly exciting. It’s a laid-back game and one that offers many hours of gentle photographic research to anyone drawn to Pokémon’s weird world – whether you’re a veteran of 90s Pokémania, or a nine-year-old newly captured by its charm.” — Keza MacDonald [Full Review]
Eurogamer — Unscored
“While New Pokémon Snap relies on the foundation built by the original game, it has managed to develop these mechanics to create a longer, more fulfilling, experience. An ever-present charm runs throughout the game, from how well the Pokémon models are rendered to the photo editing feature, which allows you to add some pizzazz to your favourite pictures. Admittedly, it is targeted more towards the already dedicated Pokémon fan rather than a newcomer. If you’re willing to take the plunge though, you’ll discover a relaxing, yet slightly strange, game perfect for Pokémon photography marathons.” — Lottie Lynn [Full Review]
The Verge — Unscored
“Really, New Pokémon Snap is a game that forced me to change the way I think about virtual spaces. Decades of playing games have conditioned me to race through levels, checking off a to-do list of accomplishments as efficiently as possible. But that doesn’t work here. I had to slow down and watch carefully, focusing on the small details as well as the big moments. I had to relax to enjoy the view — and it’s exactly what I needed.” — Andrew Webster [Full Review]
