We can't quite believe we're saying this, but more than 20 years since the original game first launched on Nintendo 64, a brand new Pokémon Snap game is now in development for Switch.
The Pokémon Company teased the new game in today's Pokémon Presents live stream, saying that the classic is coming to Switch in "a whole new way". Take a look at these screenshots:
New Pokémon Snap game for Nintendo Switch is based on its namesake, which was first released for the Nintendo 64 console in 1999. This completely new game will take Trainers on an adventure to unknown islands overflowing with natural sights such as jungles and beaches, where they can research various Pokémon in their natural habitats. They will take photos to make their very own in-game Pokémon Photodex, all while discovering new, never-before-seen Pokémon expressions and behaviours.
The live stream also revealed new game, Pokémon Cafe Mix, and a free Pokémon app to help children brush their teeth has been released. Another "big" announcement has also been teased for next week.
Have you been wanting to see a sequel to Pokémon Snap? Share your excitement with us in the comments below.
Comments 138
This was completely unexpected
Why does this look better than sword and shield?
Should of been for wii u
@Laoak
Because it's being developed by BANDAI NAMCO Studios, instead of Game Freak.
I wonder if Professor Oak will return in this one, or we'd see Professor Cerise.
Also, I wonder if we have to go to Blockbuster Video for any printed photos. I know there's only one left, but try to give a little credit here.
I was disappointed until I heard the camera go off and then I freaked out
Now we are talking. The wait is over.
A bit disappointing it's still an on-rail game. It was okay back in 1999, but this series really needed to evolve and be more of an open adventure. If it's a $60 game, I doubt I'll pick it up.
Arguably the best part of the presentation. This, and knowing that there will be another announcement next week (maybe as a part of a normal Nintendo Direct?)
Please have a physical release... 🤞
you don't know how happy i am of this being a thing.
Imagine if Sword/Shield graphics looked like this, this game looks beautiful, i have fond memories of Snap on N64. Be sure to get it.
Wow-I’ve waited 20 years for this! This just went to the top of my wish list!!!
2020 officially didn't suck completely. Stoked for this, ya better believe this is Day One!
Adult Todd Snap should be our guide.
Well this is the most excited I've been for a Pokémon game in years!
I’m still a bit shocked they didn’t make a Pokémon Snap sequel for the Wii U. If released early in the system’s lifecycle, it could’ve been a great showcase for the GamePad.
This was my highlight of the presentation by FAR. Like, of any time anyone has ever said 'by far', this is the farthest far ever. It's not even funny how lackluster the other announcements were for me and how hyped I am for Pokémon Snap.
This makes me happy. Screw Pokémon Sword/Shield, Pokémon Snap is where it's at!!
Can't wait for the 4k raytracing mods on this one.
Thanks for finally listen to the requests for an sequel to Pokémon snap. Was beginning to lose hope it would ever happen
This is the type of Pokemon I can get into!
I have been waiting for a sequel since the original game, and it is finally happening
Best part of the presentation hands-down. It looks gorgeous and I'm hyped for it.
WHAT YES SNAP WAS ALWAYS THE BEST SPINOFF
This is the best news and totally unexpected after all this time!! I, for one, love that it's on-rail again.
First of all: Got really excited by the Pokemon Snap news!
Secondly: Got really irritated when i realized that it has better looking trees than PKMN SW/SH (I'll never get over that one)
Well guess the screenshot button is finally put to good use after all.
@Arnold-Kage I guess "you were close" to losing hope, eh? XD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuzCcwD2qYI
@The-Senate-66 A surprise to be sure but a welcome one
It's sad that spinoff games are now more hype than the mainline ones.
@Harmonie I'm fine with it being on rails. First-person shooters (with your character's body and head moving independently) make me motion sick. I don't have that problem with on-rail shooters.
Also, in the trailer the rails looked like an augmented-reality overlay. I wonder if the courses will have multiple branches that you unlock and you have to plan your route before you start.
I have no words. I am so happy.
Looks amazing, much better than Sword and Shield. Never played the original, but I might have to get this.
@Kalmaro Your sentiment does SNAP a massive disservice. The original was such a lovely game.
@Kalmaro If said spinoff game is amazing in its own right then that's not necessarily a bad thing. Look at Mario Kart; that generally gets more sales than mainline Mario platforming games and depending on who you ask, Mario Kart is also just better than the platformers. ...though I guess hype does not equal sales, but you know what I mean.
Besides people have been wanting a sequel to Pokémon Snap for years. I would've been absolutely hyped for this even if the mainline Pokémon games were still good.
I am excited, although I hope "New Pokemon Snap" isn't the final name.
This is the reward for passing the gauntlet that is 2020.
I missed the presentation. But this absolutely has made my day so far. The first Snap ended up being a total surprise on how fun and rewarding it was.
And I don't mind it still being on the rails as that was part of the fun and challenge. Though I guess more open world like would have been nice to
Let's not pretend our inner child is freaking out. I know I am, no matter of this is a 60 dolar game, I'm still here for it
@Yosher by all means, I'm pretty stoked for this.
I just wish I could get as excited for the mainline games but they just aren't doing it for me right now.
I’m really excited, where it going to be released or price for new Pokémon snap?
@Laoak Sword and Shield have to accommodate the combat, items, NPCs, interactivity, menus, world map, Dynamaxing, curries, battle animations, etc. If the gameplay to this simply boils down to taking photos of Pokémon while on rails (just like the original N64 game), then they will have a lot more space to add nicer-looking graphics. I would hope and expect that New Pokémon Snap will look better than Sword and Shield.
my soul is filled
i sort of wish they kept the iconic logo and added a "2" or some other signifier. so happy nonetheless ! so many memories with the original. i'm hoping they take direct inspiration from what made the original so loved.
Based on Pokémon Snap U 😃
@Kalmaro Same here. In fact the main games I haven't been able to enjoy since the 6th generation (not counting OR/AS, those were still fun), and that makes me sad honestly. I still bought all the games up to the Let's Go games in the hopes they'd be good but then Sword/Shield came and.. yeah I didn't even bother with those anymore with how disappointing they looked.
So I know how you feel. Hopefully the series will return to its former glory again, but.. with how sales for these games are through the roof.. I have a feeling it's not likely to happen unfortunately.
@AJDarkstar and Pokemon Sword is
? o.O
@Harmonie if it was open it wouldn't be the same type of game anymore
@Alundra-1998 Here, let me help you with that:
Super excited for Pokemon Snap!
Do you think we'll ever get a Pokemon Pinball on Switch?
crosses fingers
"I'm disappointed in the scope."
"It should have been open world."
Whoa now, hold your Rapidash. It's been two decades since the last entry, they've got several gens' worth of critters to catch up on, and Bamco's handling the details as opposed to HAL.
Let this one be On-Rails — to see how the format is received, to ensure that they're matching both the aesthetic and gameplay charms of the original, and to wet the feet of every employee involved and work out any bugs before expanding to something grand.
This was the only announcement they needed. I’ve been waiting for Pokémon Snap 2 for years and it looks great. Super stoked to play it eventually!
This is a very nice surprise! I'm kinda bummed that like the original its on rails, I would've loved to have been able to go out and explore however I wanted. I hope that to compensate for the lack of an ability to explore they really add some polish to this game and make it look spectacular maybe even make it one of the best looking Switch games.
What a pleasant surprise, can't wait!
I remember quite enjoying Pokemon Snap back in the day, this looks like it could be fun and relaxing after a long day of adulting.
Just makes you think what a proper open world game on flagship consoles would be like, doesn't it? Either way it looks nice enough, for the right price I'd be willing to grab it but I can't see myself paying £40-50 for it.
I'm weary about any Pokemon related game these days as pretty much everything from the series in recent years has been just awful but this is good news if done right. Pokemon Snap has always been my favourite spin-off.
Oh, sweet childhood memories! One of my faves on the N64.
First good pokemon game since stadium 2? I'm in
If this doesn't get support for the Labo VR camera...
Gotta Snap 'Em All!
It's finally time to play the sequel to my favorite Pokemon game.
20 years... I have the quarantine beard to show for it
I'm so, so happy about this !! We've all been waiting so long for a sequel for Snap, and this looks lovely !
I remember during the Wii U years, Eurogamer did a poll asking what Nintendo franchises everyone wanted a new game from, with Miyamoto personally the one to ask it and would be following the results, Pokemon Snap was the overwhelming winner, even above a new Metroid or F-Zero, so it's good to see Nintendo can listen to what their fans want, once in a while
Still using that "New" prefix, eh?
If you didn't want to call it Pokemon Snap 2, just create a decent subtitle.
@MrBlacky Cheap@$$gamer.com is about to be my friend for the next little bit! I'm going to check for any Labo VR sales.
I won't lie, "I played the absolute nonsense out of the original" made me chuckle quite a lot lol
@KingBowser86 @MrBlacky I bought the Labo VR starter kit for $40 a few weeks ago. It's kind of hard to find so I wouldn't expect any sales. W/ the starter kit, which only includes the visor and blaster, I've so far been able to fake the fan using my vehicle kit gas pedal and I'm just playing the underwater camera game using the visor. Haven't figured out the elephant yet, may try pipe cleaners, and I doubt I'll build the bird, not into those flying levels.
But first thing I saw, and typed int he live chat while watching this, was 'better have Labo VR support." I really don't think it will, especially since Bandai Namco is making it and not Nintendo, but it certainly would be nice. Though knowing it's on rails I'm not sure I want to play it anyway. Though I've been playing the VR blaster game on rails and it's very cool, but looking around and shooting w/ a pump action blaster makes up for the on rail parts. So we'll see. Never played the original so I have no nostalgia.
One of the games I never ever thought I'd see announced. Best bit of gaming news for weeks.
I'm more stoked for New Pokémon Snap than any of the PS5 reveals. The first one is something I still dig out and play every couple of years just to try and beat my scores in the gallery.
This is so awesome! I have wanted a full fledged sequel to Pokemon Snap for so very long, and the Switch is the perfect console to do it on! I hope it has a little more playtime than the original though as it was a tad on the short side but it is so cool to see another game in this style!
Did not expect this at all.
@Alundra-1998
Kinda was
now just give the mainline games over to bamco next.
Yes! This looks amazing!
I've been a bit down on the Pokemon brand lately, but this is awesome. I really enjoyed the original N64 game.
Out of nowhere a pokemon spin off sequel I'd thought would never happen delighted. Now what's the chances of puzzle league 2 or Pokémon Colosseum 3.
@Harmonie Usually I'm skeptical about your posts, but this time I have to agree with you.
Whoa, did not see this coming. Day 1
Why people love the original game so much?
@AJDarkstar By open world, you mean a normal linear game with a barren N64 wasteleand in the middle? Sure open world
@Harmonie most of the gaming community would disagree with you pokemon snap being a rail type game fits right in it might be for everyone like you but so far theres more hype for it then negativity.
Why so much on rails hate? I like a good open world game, but I also like amusement park rides. In the original I like that interacting with the pokemon could take you off on side paths sometimes, just do some more of that and give me gyro aiming in portable mode with the camera button on L or R and this game will be perfect. I'm hyped that it looks like it plays just like the original.
@Harmonie I probably wouldn’t be interested if they removed the rails. That’s part of the charm and it would just feel too different. Maybe if the series had regular releases, but for the first Snap game in over 20 years, I want the same mechanics with just new areas and Pokémon.
@Harmonie My thoughts as well. I was just thinking the other day how fun a Pokemon Snap game would be if it offered free-form movement. Oh well, on-rails would probably be pretty fun too. Come to think of it, an on-rails version in real VR would be amazing (not that that will ever happen.)
This announcement has made my day! I didn't play the original Pokemon Snap until 2-3 years ago via the Wii U VC. Even with N64 graphics not being what they once were, this Pokéfreak enjoyed the game and found it a nice change of pace.
I'll definitely be snapping up this entry!
I am of the opinion this should stay on the rails.
SNAP 2 BAYBEE!!
@rjejr Costco had it and the Robot Kit for $26.99 a month ago, and nothing's concrete yet, so I'm definitely not in a hurry to buy. Bamco did work on Smash Bros. which has a VR Mode though, TPC loves gimmicks (toothbrushing???), and Nintendo would want to move Labo units, so I wouldn't be surprised at all to see it supported.
All of the Pokemon will gurn towards the camera when the music goes “wah wah”.
Unbelievably stoked about this. I’ve gone off the core series but still like the designs and world of Pokémon so it’s nice to have a spin off that looks good. I also loved the original so this is kind of a no-brainer.
Finally... Gotta shoot em all!
@Laoak
Because this is a cute game about taking pictures from a rail system, Pokemon Sword and Shield is an RPG
You know, the more I think about the camera controls needing to be close to the Switch Labo VR Headset to be immersive and some other factors, the less likely I think it is that it'll use the current Labo VR setup, if at all. Could, just not as likely as I thought.
Damn you, @Nejsayer! I was perfectly content with the Pokemon Snap announcement until you made me realize there's a hole in my gamer heart where a Pokemon Pinball game for Switch should be.
This is a must buy for me didnt see this comming
I'll probably buy it but to be honest I didn't really get in to the original Pokemon Snap back in the day. I'll admit it was pretty cool to go to Blockbuster or a hospital and see the machines to print out the photos with. I am glad for all the people who have been wanting a new Pokemon Snap game though:)
@Incarna
Ships with, and can only be played with, and N64 controller & adapter.
Everyone’s hyped, but I think it could look better. Honestly, it looks like it could easily run on the WiiU and I can‘t understand how Gamefreak (who make millions off the Pokémon brand) don‘t step up their game a bit in the graphics department. Take a look at Mario Odyssey or the Spyro and Crash remasters. They also feature a more comic like artstyle but environments look a lot richer in those games.
I bet this will work with the Labo VR headset an the Labo Camera
None of the screenshots reflect the end product
My only concern will be the price to content ratio, as none of the Pokemon Switch games so far have been good on that front, though neither was the original Pokemon Snap. Being developed by Bandi makes me slightly more hopefully.
@Duffman92 GameFreak doesn't make the spin-offs, barring Pokemon Quest I think. This is being made by Bandi. Besides, GameFreak isn't solely responsible for the Pokemon series' quality - that's on The Pokemon Company as a whole.
Oh, snap!
Bend... and snap!
Snap out of it!
Snap to it!
(free tag lines)
Will Todd Snap be returning?
I never played the first one, so what can I expect from this?
Is it just walk round an island and take pictures of pokemon? If so then the game will get stale once you've done a lap of the island
I remember playing pokemon snap in 1999 when I was 13, I liked it alot and taking pictures of mew in outer space at the end, I cant wait to play the new pokemon snap, I'm very excited
100% Pokemon Snap was pretty satisfying. Mew stumped me until I had to look it up on gamefaqs lol.
@YoshiAngemon amazing response, thank you for making me smile today ❤️
@Duffman92
It looks to have a higher resolution and 60fps unlike crash and Spyro on Switch.
@playstation_king It is On-Rails, and if it's anything like the original, it'll be a set handful of themed areas.
The trick is, completion isn't that simple. The photos need to have a good enough combined score to progress. You gradually obtain apples, Pester Balls, and the Poké Flute to cause certain reactions out of Pokémon and portions of the environment. Getting to the palmsweat-inducing true final area takes a little puzzle solving and completing the island's Pokédex will stretch your brain quite a bit more. On top of that, you can try to get higher photo scores by unique interactions between Pokémon (some you have to figure out how and when to trigger).
Sharing the photos (was printed stickers, now it'll be social media posts) is the cherry on top.
I too wish it was open world but it at least looks like they slowed the speed of the rail (maybe that is customizable?) Total nerd condition but I get simulation sickness and got totally nauseous replaying this on Wii. Cant wait!
It would be a crime if the Labo Camers didn't work with this game.
cant wait, loved the original
Miss curly red hair of Snap
This BETTER support the LABO camera!
I won't go as far as @RPGamer is willing to, but I'm still pretty stern in my demand! I will... I will NOT BUY THE GAME if it doesn't support VR!!!
Now THOSE are high quality animations. I don't believe GF is working on this game
@AJDarkstar the wild area doesn’t not make the game “Open World”. It’s one specific place, the bulk of the game didn’t even take place in the wild area. The bulk of the game still takes place in set zones with set paths. You could actually complete the game and complete your dex without it for the most part. Minus a few drops in here or there.
While we are at it, the range of different biomes in the wild area is lacking. I mean the area around the meeting place looks exactly the same as the area around the Lake of Outrage.There is a reason crown of tundra is snowy as my proof. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the different weather effects which they use to alter the biomes a little, or the camping aspects but the game is hardly like I don’t know Xenoblade. Which BTW looks the same if not better than SwSh and was made 10 years ago. Explain that to me? Xenoblade btw the way is “open world” game you should play it or I don’t know Xenoblade 2? Witcher 3? SwSh has one “open zone” compared to an “Open World”.
And don’t talk my game habits when you have no idea. For a reference, I’m 20 pokemon shy of a full dex for SwSh and part of that is there’s no end game like I don’t know B2W2 which you know that was on the DS.
@graysoncharles time must drag when hoping for something, huh?
@AJDarkstar I don't think criticising a game makes me a troll
Time to start reopening all the Blockbuster Videos!
Best news today. I've waited for this longer than a new F-Zero.
@Laoak The same reason Fast Racing Neo looked more realistic than anything else on the Wii U, I would say. Games where you move along a fixed track can save on memory by not having to load in large areas at once. I think that's a technique called "culling," if I'm not mistaken. Sorry if someone else already answered this, there are a lot of comments, haha. I don't have Sword/Shield, but I know a lot of people complained about the graphics in that game. So if you're just commenting on being upset they didn't optimize their mainline Pokémon game better and weren't looking for a technical breakdown, my bad! I've definitely seen the ugly, N64-looking tree textures and agree they probably could've done better.
I'm not a Pokémon guy. Like, AT ALL. But I'm so happy for all the people who have wanted this for so long! Glad to see Nintendo fans finally get something big after that stellar PlayStation conference in what would have been E3 month. Hopefully we'll see more announcements in the relatively near future!
Looks great. The original on N64 was a surprisingly fun game, glad we're finally getting a sequel.
Oh I'm buying this for my kid.
Oh yes, now THIS was exciting! The entire presentation still felt strange, but this definitely hyped Also, this looks like it's being made with Unreal Engine 4, which makes sense considering Bandai Namco is actually developing it.
Awesome. I grinned as this was presented. Hope that Todd is referenced somehow.
@BlackenedHalo it's stupid fun, I never played it, however I did read up on it in a Nintendo power magazine way back... not sure if I'll get it, but it does bring back memories from that era.
I had to sit down and started screaming when the camera zoomed in on Pikachu. YES! I'll basically pre-purchase this one as soon as I can, that's my hype level
day ONE. about time.
@Laoak Because it's on rails. So when they design the game, they know exactly what will be on the screen at any one time, so they can optimise it for that. hope that answers your question.
Just let it have a lot more content than the original. Please.
@shoeses Thanks for pointing that out, my little rant goes out to The Pokémon Company.
What a great surprise, excited for this, hope it turns out well...
I hope it comes with the minigame Pokémon OH SNAP! about delivering memey poképun zingers at just the right moment!
No thanks.
This game was fun for about 1 hour on the 64. Got bored so fast.
Pokémon Stadium was decent though.
Very pleasant surprise, I'll be looking forward to it. As a side note I really wish this was made on the Wii U though, Pokemon Snap is probably one of the most perfect use cases of the gamepad I can think of, oh well.
Pokemon snap fans must have gone ballistic: They requested a sequel for such a long time. I personally played it too back in the day (I rented it) and it was pretty fun. The new one looks pretty cool, I could see myself buying it. However, is this a proper sequel or just a updated version of the original? Please, let it be a sequel!
Never played the original. Gotta give it a try and see how this will pan out
@PlzUnderstand Nothing the Pokemon fandom isn't used to already.
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