Pokémon Snap is a game I've been reading about and wanting to play ever since I was of single-digit age. Finally getting to experience it now in 2024, I'm stunned that it took Nintendo over 20 years to create any sort of follow-up to it, as it's incredibly fun and simple, but with a fair amount of replay value for those interested in score attacks. An on-rails photography game doesn't sound all that entertaining, but unlocking new tools to manipulate Pokémon and the environment leads to some very interesting interactions and photo opportunities that add to the longevity and intrigue of the game. It all culminates in what I think is the most clever possible way they could have implemented a "boss battle" in a game such as this.
Rather disappointingly, the game was only able to pack in 63 of the original 151 Pokémon, with a handful of them being very difficult to find without a guide, as the game itself is a bit cryptic sometimes. It also offers very little incentive to take any better pictures, and Professor Oak's scoring methods can make it hard to actually get that perfect shot in the first place. Lastly, while I won't hold it against the game's Rating, the gameplay itself felt off to me in a way that I would not be able to say for certain was due to the emulator or the game itself, with occasional slowdown and the camera sometimes failing to pick up Pokémon directly in the lens.
All in all, definitely a must-play for Pokémon fans even all these years later. While it may have some minor flaws, Pokémon Snap is a game with a very solid foundation that only needed a sequel or two in order to really perfect the formula. Hopefully that's what New Pokémon Snap was able to do!
Rather disappointingly, the game was only able to pack in 63 of the original 151 Pokémon, with a handful of them being very difficult to find without a guide, as the game itself is a bit cryptic sometimes. It also offers very little incentive to take any better pictures, and Professor Oak's scoring methods can make it hard to actually get that perfect shot in the first place. Lastly, while I won't hold it against the game's Rating, the gameplay itself felt off to me in a way that I would not be able to say for certain was due to the emulator or the game itself, with occasional slowdown and the camera sometimes failing to pick up Pokémon directly in the lens.
All in all, definitely a must-play for Pokémon fans even all these years later. While it may have some minor flaws, Pokémon Snap is a game with a very solid foundation that only needed a sequel or two in order to really perfect the formula. Hopefully that's what New Pokémon Snap was able to do!