Pokémon Snap
| |
| Pokémon Snap | |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| System | Nintendo 64, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U) |
| Release Date | Nintendo 64 JP March 21, 1999 US July 1, 1999 EU September 15, 2000 Virtual Console JP December 4, 2007 US December 10, 2007 EU/AU December 11, 2007 Wii U Virtual Console JP April 4, 2016 PAL August 18, 2016 US January 5, 2017 |
| Rating | ESRB: E |
Pokémon Snap is a Pokémon spin-off game based on photography, in which players must try to take good quality pictures of Pokémon.
Development
The game started development as Jack and the Beanstalk, which was based on the fairy tale of the same name. It was being developed for the 64DD and was intended to be based around photography. However, the developers started to feel that the project was aimless in its original form, and with the rise of the popularity of the Pokémon franchise, it was ultimately decided to retool the game into being a Pokémon game, while retaining the focus on photography.
After becoming Pokémon Snap, it was still in development for the 64DD, and but it was eventually switched into becoming a normal Nintendo 64 game with the ultimate failure of the 64DD.
Story
Todd has been summoned by Professor Oak to Pokémon Island in order to help Oak with a report on the island's Pokémon. Oak has just finished a report and needs pictures to accompany his findings. Riding in the Zero-One, Todd must travel around the island and get the pictures Professor Oak needs.
Gameplay
Starting at Professor Oak's research center, players may choose the course they want to play. The game is like a rail shooter, with the player unable to change their path. They can take up to 60 pictures on each level. After they finish, Professor Oak rates the player's pictures based on position, posing, clarity, and whether other Pokémon are in the shoot.
The game has only seven levels all together. However, some of them are locked away until the player uses the right item to open up the new level. Each one has a different environment and different Pokémon. The game contains 63 different types of Pokémon.
Shortly after the game's release, Nintendo provided a service to print out photos from the game as stickers at certain stores for US$3. Blockbusters in America, Lawson in Japan, and Toys'R'Us and Myer in Australia all provided the service.
Legacy
The Zero-One appeared as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Rereleases
- Pokémon Snap was released for download on the Wii as part of its Virtual Console in December 2007. The game was modified to utilize some of the Wii's features, as photos taken in the game can be sent to friends over the Wii's message board. Other alterations involved changing Jynx's skin to match its new design. This release was notable as being the first Pokémon game to released for the Virtual Console.
- In 2016, Pokémon Snap was released for the Wii U as part of its Virtual Console. This version was compatible with Miiverse in place of the Wii Message Board.
Sequels
It received a follow-up more than 20 years after its original release, when New Pokémon Snap was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2021.