Pokémon Snap (ポケモンスナップ Pokemon Sunappu?) is a first-person rail shooter and simulation video game developed by HAL Laboratory with Pax Softnica and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It is part of the Pokémon series, and one of the first console games based on the Pokémon series. It was first released in Japan on March 21, 1999, and was later released on June 30, 1999 in North America and on September 15, 2000, in PAL regions. It was later released for the Wii's Virtual Console on December 4, 2007, in Japan, in North America on December 10, 2007, and then in PAL regions on The Virtual Console version features the ability to send pictures taken in the game to the Wii Message Board and send them to friends, whereas the Nintendo 64 version allowed players to take their games to either Blockbuster or Lawson in either North America or Japan and have pictures from their games printed. The game plays similarly to other first person games, viewing from the perspective of protagonist Todd Snap. The gameplay takes place on a rail, with Todd moving automatically. The objective of the game is to take pictures of Pokémon, using items such as apples and "pester balls" to achieve better shots. After each round, players are judged based on the quality of their screenshots. Its release was promoted heavily by Nintendo, including being included in more than 86,000 hotels and a contest to send the winner to Australia. By the end of 1999, Pokémon Snap sold 1.5 million copies, and was a strong rental title in 1999 after its release. It was met with mixed reception by critics, described as "addictive" by IGN and Boys' Life, and "innovative" by Electric Playground. It has also been compared to other video games with photography, such as Afrika, Dead Rising, and Beyond Good & Evil. It has also been used as a notable example of video games with photography.
Todd Snap (トオル Tooru?), a Pokémon photographer, is summoned by Professor Oak to an unusual island to help him with a report. Oak needs quality pictures to accompany his scientific findings, and knows from past experience that Todd is the right person for the job. Pokémon Island, which contains a variety of climatic and geographic regions, is a place where Pokémon live relatively undisturbed by humans. Using a motorized, amphibious buggy named the Zero-One, Todd explores the island and takes photographs of the wide variety of Pokémon that inhabit its environments. From Professor Oak's research hub, the player can select between the game's levels and features using a menu system. The path through the levels is linear, similar to a rail shooter. Up to 60 pictures can be taken per visit to a course. After completing a course, the player selects their best picture of each Pokémon to be rated by Professor Oak and added to the Pokémon Report. Scoring takes into account various aspects of the pictures, such as the Pokémon's size, its pose, and keeping the Pokémon in frame. Extra points are awarded for capturing a "special" pose or Pokémon, such as a surfing Pikachu, and if there are multiples of the same Pokémon within the frame. Scoring well in the Pokémon Report and photographing a wide variety of Pokémon is required to make progress in the game.
The game features seven levels: Beach, Tunnel, Volcano, River, Cave, Valley, and the special course "Rainbow Cloud." However, the staggered acquisition of items from Professor Oak ensures that the player must re-explore the courses to discover new material. Levels must be replayed in order to locate hidden Pokémon, alternate routes, or photographic opportunities that yield the best scores. It also features a number of special items used to obtain better photographs. Players start out with only a camera, then soon gain apple-shaped Pokémon food; this is thrown to either stun Pokémon or attract Pokémon. As they progress, they obtain new items. Next, they gain an item called "Pester Balls", which are able to knock out Pokémon or flush them out of hiding. The Poké-Flute item is used in a variety of ways, such as awakening, irritating, or hatching Pokémon. It can cause Pokémon to dance, and it can play three different songs, resulting in different dances from certain Pokémon. The final item obtained is the Dash Engine, allowing players to go faster than normal. The game also features an "Album mark" where players can mark their favorite pictures to view at a later date or show to friends.
Pokémon Snap has had several promotions made by both Nintendo and Blockbuster among others. Nintendo and Japanese convenience store Lawson formed a deal where people could bring their copies of Pokémon Snap and have pictures from the game printed in Japan.[5] Nintendo and Blockbuster formed a similar deal where Blockbuster would exclusively print stickers from players' copies of Pokémon Snap in the United States.[6] They hosted a contest called "Take Your Best Shot", where the player who produces the best picture from Pokémon Snap to Nintendo would win a trip to Australia.[7] Nintendo, partnering with LodgeNet, included Nintendo 64s with Pokémon Snap for more than 86,000 hotels with the intent of capitalizing on the Pokémon franchise for the holiday travel season.[8] Nintendo displayed Pokémon Snap at a Pokémon event called "Pokemon League Summer Training Tour".[9] The game was fourth on the chart for top selling games in Japan for the week of its release, March 18 to March 24.[10] For the week ending May 21, 1999 in Japan, it ranked fifth.[11] In the United States, Pokémon Snap sold in excess of 151,000 copies in the first three days of its release.[12] Since its release, it was the most rented game, up to October 22, 1999.[13] For the month of November, it was featured in the United States' top 10 list of best-selling video games.[14] For the week ending November 27, it ranked as the 10th best-selling video game, while it remained the most-rented video game for the same week.[15] By the end of 1999, Pokémon Snap was the sixth best-selling video game in the United States, having sold in excess of 1.5 million copies.[16] IGN attributed this success with "well targeted promotions" and the tie in with Blockbuster.
Pokémon Snap received above average reviews from the media scoring 77/100 on Metacritic and a 77.05% Game Rankings.[17][18] Pokémon Snap was included among a test of video games that are fun, safe, easy to play, and of value for children.[26] Ars Technica editor Frank Caron commented that Pokémon Snap had become a "fan favorite", while author Marina D'Amato called it "famous".[2][27] Author Amit Dhir called it one of the most popular video games of 1999, alongside Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy VIII.[28] Kotaku described it as a "cash-in branded title".[29] Before its US release, IGN praised it as "strange", yet "fun".[30] Matt Casamassina of IGN called it an "addictive, surprisingly fun" game
GameSpot praised it as a "refreshingly unique game".[20] IGN editors Mark Bozon and Casamassina commented on Pokémon Snap's likelihood of becoming a Virtual Console title; the former called it a "cult classic" as well as a "fresh and entertaining little package". While Casamassina again criticized the lack of Pokémon and length, he noted that a Virtual Console re-release would be appropriate, due to it being "simple and quick".[31] IGN also called it a "wonderful game for kids of all ages", though again bemoaning its lack of length.[32] Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game an 85%.[21] Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game an 83/100.[22] GamePro commented that while "for Pokemon fans, this is a wonderful game", others will not find it as fun
Game Revolution called it "an absolute must-have for Pokemon fans and kids in general" but "for the rest of us, it's actually a decent diversion".[24] Electric Playground editor Victor Lucas called it "innovative" and "worth taking a look at".[33] Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu, praised it for its "sense of peace", as well as its reproduction of "the feel of a safari or a theme park."[34] The Detroit Free Press editor Mike Floyd commented that while it has a "lot of initial flash", it "lacks depth to make it a great title".[35] Wired editor Susan Arendt commented that while Pokémon Snap was considered the "***** child of the Pokémon franchise" by some, the people in her office loved it.[36] The Denver Post editor David Thomas commented that the concept of Pokémon Snap should have "never worked", but it turned out to be "one of the most creative and entertaining games on the market".