Overview

New Pokémon Snap is a 2021 simulation video game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Serving as a spiritual successor to the beloved 1999 Nintendo 64 classic Pokémon Snap, the game puts players in the shoes of a wildlife photographer tasked with exploring diverse ecosystems and capturing photographs of wild Pokémon in their natural habitats. Retaining the on-rails photography mechanics of its predecessor, New Pokémon Snap modernizes the experience with high-definition graphics, an expanded roster of over 200 Pokémon spanning eight generations, and a robust post-game photo-editing and sharing suite. Upon release, the game was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its relaxing yet engaging loop, charming art style, and the sheer joy of observing Pokémon interacting with one another in a meticulously crafted world.

A person holds a handheld gaming device outdoors with Pokémon Legends on screen. — Photo by Daniel J. Schwarz / Pexels

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, New Pokémon Snap is an on-rails photography simulator. Players do not have direct control over their movement; instead, they sit in a hovering vehicle called the NEO-ONE, which automatically navigates through predetermined routes known as courses. The primary objective is to take the highest-quality photographs of Pokémon to earn points and build a comprehensive research portfolio for the Lental region's professor.

The Photography System

Players are equipped with a camera that features a telephoto lens, allowing them to zoom in on distant subjects without losing image quality. Timing is critical: Pokémon are constantly moving, eating, playing, or sleeping. Photographs are evaluated based on a multi-tiered scoring system. The primary metrics include the size of the Pokémon in the frame, whether the subject is centered, the orientation of the Pokémon (facing the camera yields a higher score), and if there are other Pokémon of the same species in the background. Furthermore, capturing a Pokémon executing a specific, rare behavior or striking a dynamic pose grants a massive score multiplier.

Interacting with the Environment

Players are not passive observers. To coax Pokémon out of hiding or trigger unique behaviors, the game provides a suite of tools that unlock as players progress. These tools are vital for discovering alternate paths and uncovering the secrets of the Lental region.

Illumina Orbs: Flora-specific glowing orbs that, when thrown at a Pokémon, cause them to momentarily glow and often trigger entirely new behaviors or animations. Illumina Orbs are crucial for photographing the mysterious Illumina Pokémon.
Fluffruit: Edible fruit that can be tossed near a Pokémon to lure it to a specific spot, wake it up from a nap, or provoke it into eating. Feeding a Pokémon can sometimes cause it to follow the NEO-ONE, allowing for close-up shots.
Melody Player: A device that plays a soothing tune, which can cause certain Pokémon to dance, wake up, or become energized, providing excellent photo opportunities.
Scan: A vital recon tool that highlights hidden Pokémon, reveals alternate routes through a course, and provides ecological data about the surrounding area. Scanning a Pokémon multiple times can sometimes trigger a reaction.

Course Progression and Research Levels

Advancement in New Pokémon Snap is tied to the Research Level of each course. Every photograph submitted to Professor Mirror yields Research Points. As the Research Level of a course increases (from Level 1 up to Level 3), the ecosystem dynamically changes. Pokémon may appear in different areas, new species might show up, and the time of day may shift from day to night. Reaching the maximum Research Level on a course is the only way to unlock alternate versions of that course—such as a nighttime run or an underwater expedition—which feature completely different Pokémon rosters and interactions.

Photo Editing and Sharing

Once a course is completed, players review their photos in the lab. They select one photo per Pokémon species per course to submit to the professor. Beyond the main game loop, New Pokémon Snap features a surprisingly deep photo editor. Players can apply filters, adjust brightness, add frames, and place reusable 2D stickers of Pokémon they have already photographed onto their images. Finished photos can be saved to the Nintendo Switch's internal storage, shared directly to social media, or uploaded to an in-game online community where players can judge and "Nice!" other players' photographs.

Photo by Anton / Pexels

Story & Setting

The game is set in the Lental region, an archipelago composed of several distinct islands, each boasting its own unique biome. Unlike the regions found in the mainline Pokémon RPGs, the Lental region is largely untouched by human civilization, acting as a pristine wildlife sanctuary. Environments range from lush, grassy plains and sunny beaches to dense jungles, arid deserts, snowy tundras, and mysterious underwater ruins.

The narrative centers around a strange phenomenon known as the Illumina phenomenon. Certain Pokémon and plant life across the Lental region have been found glowing with a strange, ethereal light. The player assumes the role of a budding Pokémon photographer who is invited to the region by Professor Mirror, a leading expert on the Illumina phenomenon. Alongside the professor, players join a small research team that includes his assistant Rita and the captain of the NEO-ONE, Phil.

The overarching goal of the expedition is to travel to every island, discover the Illumina spots—areas where the phenomenon is most concentrated—and photograph the rare Illumina Pokémon that reside within them. By documenting these glowing creatures and the ecological impact of the phenomenon, the team hopes to uncover the truth behind why the Lental region's Pokémon are reacting to this mysterious energy.

Photo by Caleb Oquendo / Pexels

Key Features

Over 200 Pokémon from Multiple Generations: The game features a robust roster that goes far beyond the original 151, including fan-favorites from the Galar region introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, as well as mythical and legendary Pokémon.

Dynamically Changing Ecosystems: Courses are not static. As players increase their Research Levels, courses visually and structurally transform, altering Pokémon placements, introducing new species, and changing the lighting from day to night.

Alternate Routes and Secret Paths: By cleverly using the Scan function and throwing items at specific environmental triggers, players can unlock branching paths that take the NEO-ONE through hidden areas, completely changing the photography experience of a course.

The Illumina Phenomenon: A unique narrative and mechanical hook exclusive to New Pokémon Snap, allowing players to photograph beautifully stylized, glowing variants of Pokémon and interact with crystalline flora.

Comprehensive Photo Editing Suite: A built-in editor allows players to customize their favorite shots with a variety of stamps, frames, and filters, turning simple gameplay screenshots into personalized works of art.

In-Game Online Community: Players can share their best photos with a global player base, browse curated albums, and leave "Nice!" ratings on photographs that stand out, fostering a positive, creative online environment.

Relaxing, Zero-Stakes Gameplay: With no health bars, combat, or game-over states, New Pokémon Snap provides a stress-free, meditative experience focused entirely on exploration and creativity.

Photo by Pixabay / Pexels

Tips for Beginners

Resist the urge to take only one photo: Because film capacity is generous, you should take multiple photos of the same Pokémon in quick succession. A Pokémon might be facing away in your first shot, but turn to look at the camera in the second. Always take bursts of photos when a Pokémon is moving or interacting.

Always scan your surroundings: The Scan function is your most valuable tool. Use it frequently to reveal hidden Pokémon lurking in the bushes, underwater, or behind obstacles. Furthermore, scanning is the primary way to discover alternate routes—if the scan reticle locks onto a specific point in the environment, throw a Fluffruit or Illumina Orb at it to open a new path.

Focus on behaviors over basic poses: While a standard photo of a Pokémon facing the camera is fine for early game, the real points lie in capturing specific behaviors. Look for interactions between different Pokémon species, hunting behaviors, or unique reactions to Fluffruit and Illumina Orbs. These special behavior photos are required to complete your Photodex.

Don't worry about perfect scores on your first run: When you first enter a course, you won't have the tools or knowledge to get four-star photos of every Pokémon. Play through the course to increase its Research Level, which will unlock new tools and change the environment. Revisiting courses is the core gameplay loop.

Pay attention to the size multiplier: The game heavily rewards close-up shots. Use your zoom lens to fill the frame with the Pokémon as much as possible without cutting off important parts of its body. A close-up shot of a Pokémon doing a standard pose will often score higher than a wide shot of a Pokémon doing a rare behavior.

Experiment with Illumina Orbs everywhere: Even if a Pokémon doesn't seem to react to an Illumina Orb at first, try hitting it again, or try hitting a different Pokémon nearby. Some of the rarest four-star behaviors are triggered by chaining Illumina Orbs between multiple Pokémon of the same species.

Use the jukebox and repeat courses: If you are struggling to find a specific Pokémon or trigger, go to the lab and play music tracks you have unlocked. Some music tracks will provide cryptic hints about how to find elusive Pokémon or trigger their hidden behaviors.

FAQ

Do I need to play the original Pokémon Snap to understand this game?

No, absolutely not. New Pokémon Snap is a standalone game with an entirely new setting, cast of characters, and story. While it shares the same core gameplay philosophy as the 1999 original, there is no narrative connection, and no prior knowledge of the first game is required to enjoy or understand this one.

How long does it take to beat New Pokémon Snap?

If you are only focused on reaching the end credits and seeing the primary story, the game takes roughly 10 to 12 hours. However, the true game begins after the credits roll. Completing the Photodex by finding every Pokémon, unlocking all their specific behaviors, reaching the maximum Research Level on every course, and finding all the hidden alternate routes can easily take 30 to 50 hours or more.

Is there multiplayer in New Pokémon Snap?

The game does not feature traditional, real-time multiplayer where two players ride in the NEO-ONE together. However, it does have a robust asynchronous online component. Players can share their photos to an in-game online community, view other players' photos, and leave "Nice!" ratings. This community feature is essential for getting inspiration on how to trigger difficult four-star behaviors.

Can you move freely, or is the game strictly on-rails?

The game is strictly on-rails. You cannot steer the NEO-ONE or stop its movement. Your interaction with the world is limited to looking around in a 360-degree radius, zooming in and out, and using your tools (Fluffruit, Illumina Orbs, the Melody Player, and the Scan function). This limitation is by design, allowing the developers to carefully choreograph specific Pokémon encounters and cinematic moments.

Are all 900+ Pokémon in the game?

No. New Pokémon Snap features just over 200 Pokémon. The developers focused on quality over quantity, ensuring that the included Pokémon have highly detailed models, expressive animations, and complex interaction logic with one another and the environment, rather than trying to stuff every existing Pokémon into the game. The roster includes Pokémon from Generations 1 through 8.

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