This is a game I had as a kid, and I ended up trading it in (for a Robot Wars game on Game Boy, for all things) because of how much is annoyed me. All these years later, I still have the same major problem with the game: I can’t push back my ideals of a great photo in favour of what the game likes to have as a great photo.

Pokémon Snap is an on-rails shooter where you shoot Pokémon…with a camera (I’m sure that joke has been done many times before). Your vehicle moves on its own, but you can look in all directions to try and take photos of pokémon. Throughout the game, you will unlock apples, bombs and a flute that let you manipulate pokémon to get them into special poses, or to cause new ones to appear. This aspect of the game is the best part, as its a puzzle to solve.

At the end of each level, Professor Oak grades you on your photos. They have to be in the centre of the screen, take up most of the photo and ideally be striking a pose. You also get additional points for additional photos of the same pokémon in the same photo – other types don’t count. Which is my biggest issue with the game, especially as the game sets up many nice photos of multiple types – such as a diglet and pikachu playing together.

Solving the puzzle aspects of Pokémon Snap is a lot of fun, but I really don’t like the actual photography part of it.

Fun

Pokémon Snap also has the distinction of being the best realisation of the Pokémmon universe to date. The locations are perfect – familiar and yet somehow other-worldly. The monsters behave just like you’d expect them to, and are cute beyond belief. Plus, there’s a challenging and engrossing game to play.

Martin Kitts, N64 Magazine #45. Review Score: 80%

Remake or Remaster?

Recreating these levels in New Pokémon Snap as additional content would have been nice.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no way to buy a new copy of Pokémon Snap the only official way to play is to rent it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak.

Re-releases

2007: Wii Virtual Console

2016: Wii U Virtual Console

2022: Nintendo Switch Online (Subscription Only)