Pokémon Snap
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| Pokémon Snap {{#if:{{{image|}}}|<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">{{{image|}}} | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | HAL Laboratory {{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)<td>{{{publisher|}}} |
| Release date(s) | March 21, 1999 (JP) July 27, 1999 (US) September 15, 2000 (EU) |
| Genre(s) | First person rail shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player {{#if:{{{ratings|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)<td>{{{ratings|}}} |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 {{#if:{{{media|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media<td>{{{media|}}} |
Pokémon Snap is a Pokémon game released for the Nintendo 64, where the objective is to travel in the ZERO-ONE and take as many quality photographs of pokémon in their natural habitats as possible. It was possible for you to save your favorite photographs and print them out as stickers at a local Blockbuster Video with a Pokémon Snap printing station.
The player plays as the character Todd Snap, who has also appeared in the Pokémon TV series, in which he temporarily joins up with Ash and friends to persue his career in pokémon photography. In Pokémon Snap, he is summoned by Professor Oak to an unusual island in order to help him with a report. Professor Oak needs some good pictures for his report, and from past experiences he knows Todd is the right person for the job. He sends Todd to Pokémon Island, a large island with varying climatic and geographic regions where pokémon live relatively undisturbed by humans.
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Gameplay
Up to 60 pictures can be taken on each course. They are rated on the pokémon's pose, if the picture is centred, the closeness to the subject, and whether other pokémon of the same type are in the frame. These add up to give a total score for the course. Various upgrades become available later on in the game. These include apples and music to attract Pokémon and the ability to speed up the buggy.
The gameplay is similar to a rail shooter. The path through the levels is largely pre-determined. The aim is to "shoot" the best pictures possible.
Acclaim
Pokémon Snap has been praised for its originality and fresh ideas. The game is also praised for its high production value, such as featuring voice-acting for each individual Pokémon (corresponding with their voices in the animated series). Pokémon Snap has been criticized for including only 60 of the original 151 pokémon and having seven levels.
Scoring
When a stage is finished, the pictures are taken and shown to Professor Oak; he evaluates them using the following criteria:
- Special: if the pokemon is in a special situation or performing some sort of attack (Pikachu flying on Articuno's back, Pidgey using Gust, Jigglypuff singing on a crystal stage, etc), an automatic bonus is given right off the bat.
- Size: this category concerns the size of the pokémon on the screen. If it is too small or goes over the edge of the picture, full points are not given.
- Pose: this evaluates the pose the Pokémon is presenting on the picture. It is influenced by both the Pester ball and the Poké Flute.
- Technique: if the subject is in the middle of the shot, points from everything other than "other Pokémon" are doubled.
- Other Pokémon: If there are two or more of the same Pokémon, a bonus is given.
Items
Items received from Professor Oak serve two purposes in Pokémon Snap: the first is to interact with pokémon and the environment, resulting in new and better pictures. The second is for convenience. All items must be unlocked by meeting certain in-game criteria.
- Pokémon Food: Red apples the player can lob into the environment. They can be used to provoke a positive reaction from pokémon. It can also be used to lure or hit a target and interact with the level. To unlock this item, the player must score 14,000 points in the Pokémon Report.
- Pester Ball: A gas-filled device that can be thrown at pokémon to provoke a negative reaction. It can also be also be used to incapacitate a target or interact with the level. To unlock this item, the player must score 75,000 points in the Pokémon Report.
- Poké Flute: Playing the flute will usually affect pokémon that do not respond to food or the pester ball. The music may cause the target to wake up, dance, perform a special move, or doing some other unusual action. To unlock this item, the player must take a picture of a Pokémon Sign after Oak explains their existence.
- Dash Engine: This item allows the Zero-One to travel at a faster pace. It is not only convenient but, if used industriously, can be used to strategically place the vehicle for better shots. To unlock this item, the player must score 175,000 points in the Pokémon Report.
Levels
Pokémon Snap only features seven levels. However, the staggered acquisition of items from Professor Oak ensures that the player must re-explore the level to discover new material. Any of the first six levels has immense replay value if the gamer hopes to locate hidden pokémon, alternate routes, or photographic opportunities that yield the best reviews. Each of the first six levels contains the hidden likeness of a certain pokémon in the environ (called a "Pokémon Sign"). When the player photographs them all and presents them to Professor Oak, the seventh level is unlocked.
Level 1: Beach
Todd's adventure begins on the beach. However, he has no time to relax. There are pokémon all over the place to photograph, including a sleeping Snorlax, surfing Pikachu, and a Meowth being gusted by Pidgeys.
Todd's description: What a sunny beach. It looks great! I should get some awesome shots there!
Pokémon Sign: Kingler - A rocky formation at the beginning of the course. The player must pass the rocks (and look back over their left shoulder) to be at the proper angle to see it.
Level 2: Tunnel
Once there was an old power plant here, but it has now been abandoned and is home to mostly electric pokémon. Be on the look out for Zapdos.
Todd's description: There used to be a Power Plant in this long, dark tunnel. I can't wait to check it out!
Pokémon Sign: Pinsir - A shadow cast on a wall of the right side of the course (very near the end). The player must release Zapdos from its egg beforehand.
Level 3: Volcano
The action heats up as Todd rolls into the island's volcano. Fire types are the only sort of pokémon that can handle the intense temperatures within the crater. Be on the lookout for a large egg; rumor has it that inside is a young Moltres is itching to be born.
Todd's description: The boiling magma here makes this place very hot. I'm sweating already!
Pokémon Sign: Koffing - Throwing a pester ball into a certain volcano near the start of the course results in a Koffing-shaped gust of purple smoke.
Level 4: River
After the heat of the volcano, it is time to cool off with a lazy ride down a peaceful river. In this course, the player can guide the Zero-One between the river's banks.
Todd's description: The river here is flowing gently. Someone might be hiding nearby...
Pokémon Sign: Cubone - A large rock formation on the right bank of the river hidden behind the smoke of Vileplume's flower.
Level 5: Cave
It's dark and mysterious in the cave. Many different Pokémon await your arrival. Can you save Jigglypuff and Pikachu from Koffing and Zubat, and help a young Articuno break free of its shell?
Todd's description: This is a scary-looking cave. I bet if I listen carefully, I'll hear lots of strange noises.
Pokémon Sign: Mewtwo - Seemingly stars of light mid-course. When the picture is later developed they are revealed to compose a Mewtwo-shaped constellation.
- Magikarp
- Muk
- Pikachu
- Victreebel
- Weepinbell
- Zubat
Level 6: Valley
Todd better fasten his safety belt and hold onto his camera! It's a bumpy, wild ride down the river rapids that carved out this valley.
Todd's description: This river is rapid! I'll have to concentrate hard, or I could miss a good shot!
Pokémon Sign: Dugtrio - Three mountains in the shape of Dugtrio at the very beginning of the course.
Level 7: Rainbow Cloud
The culmination of Todd's adventure: a chance to snap the most elusive of the original 151 pokémon, Mew! The challenge is no longer to find the pokémon, but to penetrate its psychic aura that spoils the exposure.
Todd's description: This is a secret course... In that case, I should find the rarest pokémon!
Pokémon Sign: None, although the first six can be seen as constellations in the night sky.
Trivia
The music in the Cave level is a remix of the file select music from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
External links
- Official Nintendo Pokémon site
- Pokémon Snap game profile at Nintendo.com
- Template:GameFAQs
- IGN's coverage of Pokémon Snap
Template:PokémonGameses:Pokémon Snap fr:Pokémon Snap ja:ポケモンスナップ sv:Pokémon Snap