New Pokémon Snap Reviews
It is significantly bigger than the original, and photo editing options in combination with Twitter and Facebook integration make it a somewhat more social experience. While it is easy to say this is the definitive Pokemon Snap experience, I can't help but find myself wanting something that truly feels new rather than simply more. New Pokemon Snap is a loyal-to-a-fault sequel, that hopefully harkens to something a bit more adventurous down the line.
Pokémon Snap left me in a worried state for the franchise.
New Pokémon Snap is a beautiful exploration of the world of Pokémon with thoughtful mechanics and puzzle solving, though its tendency towards forced grinding and replays makes some of the charm wear off near the end.
There are countless video games designed to bring simple joy to players, usually with adorable visuals and relatively easy and relaxing mechanics. Even still, mainstream video games are obligated to include objectives and a sense of challenge, often to a point where you have to work and jump through hoops for some solace and a pleasant shot of dopamine. Enter New Pokémon Snap, the long-awaited sequel, and a game that has you grind to earn that wholesomeness.
New Pokemon Snap could very well be the next "chill" hit for Nintendo in the vein of last year's Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game itself has very low stakes, but there's still lots to explore and find, and it should be a great distraction for players over the rest of the spring and summer. New Pokemon Snap is an impressive re-debut for the Pokemon Snap franchise and should hopefully give Nintendo and The Pokemon Company motivation to make additional Pokemon Snap games. Less than a quarter of all Pokemon species is represented in New Pokemon Snap, so there is certainly room for more exploration, more discovery, and more photos in the future.
With New Pokémon Snap, Bandai Namco has not only made the best-looking Pokémon game in years, but also one of the most delightful.
The intrepid sense of navigating new terrain that this game could have offered is thoroughly undercut by imposing design decisions that ultimately cost the game its heart.
New Pokémon Snap is one of the most relaxing games I have ever played… until it isn’t. But once I let my frustrations with Professor Mirror’s strict and often nonsensical rating system go, I had an absolute blast. At its core, the notion of being able to become immersed in the world of Pokémon in such a unique way, interacting with them and getting to know them at such close quarters, is such a valuable and wholesome experience and I can’t wait to keep snapping these Pokémon for years to come.
New Pokémon Snap is lovely, not just as a solitary, soul-cleansing experience, but as a shared adventure with friends and family both in your living room and all over the world. Trust us, it’s been worth the wait.
"Fresh faces, old rails."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
At its core the gameplay is exactly the same as the original, but it’s all about presentation with this game probably being the best looking Pokemon game ever made, yes Im aware I just said I hadn’t played a Pokemon game since Gold and Silver, but I doubt anyone here will be defending Sword and Shield. The design of each track is absolutely breathtaking, with so many Pokemon to discover.
Pokémon Snap did not come to quench the thirst for fans of the main games. What it offers, however, is something equally important to many people out there. It is able to fill a gap in the franchise through a different perspective: it is a journey of relaxation.
Review in Greek | Read full review
New Pokémon Snap is does everything the original Pokémon Snap did, but more, bigger and better. Fans of the original are in for a treat, but new fans should really first decide if the casual and relaxing photography gameplay is worth their time and money.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
For the sheer amount of content alone, New Pokémon Snap is well worth the price of admission especially if you already have an idea of what to expect. However, if you’re expecting the game to move the needle as far as real advancements in gameplay over the last 20 years, you’re not going to find that here.
I had an enormous amount of fun with New Pokémon Snap. That's especially because it's so wonderfully decelerating. Just turn on the Switch and dive into the tropical forests for a few hours and look for the perfect picture of Arbok. Since the game concept doesn't overwhelm, even children will have their fun with the title. Of course, it should not be forgotten that the gameplay is very repetitive and almost doesn't change at all from the beginning to the end. It also leaves the bland aftertaste that you only move along predefined routes. All in all, it's a good remake of the original title. If you can get excited about the likes of Animal Crossing, you'll definitely enjoy New Pokémon Snap.
Review in German | Read full review
New Pokémon Snap is nearly everything fans have been clamouring for during the last couple of decades. The Pokémon are more alive than ever, and it’s a true splendour watching their behaviours and interactions. Gameplay is still simple and appealing, adding a few well thought features. Despite some questionable design choices, and some notable performance issues, this is a game every Pokémon fan will want to play, even those who never even touched the original Snap
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
New Pokemon Snap offers one of the most complete and complex insights into a world with living breathing Pokemon ecosystems. It is filled with magical moments to enthral and delight, and has some of the most beautifully realised Pokemon ever seen on a Nintendo system. The Lental region is varied, detailed and gorgeous; but quickly loses its magic once the repetitive nature of the title takes hold. The result is an experience with an exceptional amount of promise, side-railed by ageing gameplay mechanics that eschew from the overall experience.
New Pokémon Snap is best consumed in short bursts — while waiting for a bus, during downtime between appointments, or tucked up before bed — and it’s sure to hit the spot for those with fond memories of the original or who enjoy a wholesome palate cleanser to savour in small bites.
I’m happy to report that New Pokémon Snap improves upon the original game in nearly every respect. It’s filled with well-animated interactions between Pokemon, a wide variety of evolving environments, and over 200 Pokémon to add to your Photodex. Despite all of its quality-of-life improvements, its relaxing vibe, and decent presentation, however, it’s more of an evolution of the concept than a revolution, and soundly geared to younger audiences. I imagine that because of its simple gameplay, it’s not going to satisfy everyone.
New Pokémon Snap is the spin-off that many fans have been yearning for years. Nintendo has not only managed to satiate the hunger of hardcore fans, but the simple yet inviting approach to the world of photography means the entry point is far more forgiving than most games. The repetition and some of the technical issues can hinder the experience, but all of that is eliminated thanks to that joyous moments of discovery.