Pokémon Snap

Infobox VG
title=Pokémon Snap


caption=
developer=HAL Laboratory Pax Softnica
publisher=Nintendo
released=Nintendo 64
vgrelease|Japan|JP|March 21, 1999
vgrelease|North America|NA|June 30, 1999
vgrelease|PAL Region|PAL|September 15, 1999 [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/n64/data/198311.html GameFAQS]
Virtual Console
vgrelease|Japan|JP|December 4, 2007
vgrelease|North America|NA|December 10, 2007
vgrelease|PAL Region|PAL|December 11, 2007
genre=First person rail shooter/simulation
modes=Single player
ratings=ESRB: E
ELSPA: 3+
OFLC: G
platforms=Nintendo 64, Virtual Console
media=128Mb (16MB) cartridge
requirements=
input=Controller

nihongo|"Pokémon Snap"|ポケモンスナップ|Pokemon Sunappu is a video game developed by HAL Laboratory with Pax Softnica and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is part of the "Pokémon" series, and was first released in North America on June 30, 1999. [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/n64/data/198311.html GameFAQS]

It was released in Japan on the Wii's Virtual Console on December 4, 2007, in North America on December 10, 2007 then in Europe and Australia on the next day, three days earlier than previously planned. [ [http://gonintendo.com/?p=30662 Pokemon Snap hitting NA VC on December 10th] ] The Virtual Console version features the ability to send pictures taken in the game to the Wii Message Board and send them to friends. [ [http://www.destructoid.com/oh-snap-virtual-console-games-to-get-new-wii-specific-functionality--56791.phtml "Oh snap! Virtual Console games to get Wii specific functionality?"] . Destructoid. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2007.] This is the first Pokémon game to get a Virtual Console release, and the first Virtual Console title which has been modified to take advantage of features of the Wii console. The default name of the main character, Todd, was changed to Todd Snap for unknown reasons, likely due to retcon as he was called Snap in the home video versions of the "Pokémon" anime. It is currently available for 1,000 Wii points. [ [http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/_RSlYU7hZA_yb-mvRqDeol7mHtsaGmS6 "Pokémon Snap @ Virtual Console Games"] ]

"Pokémon Snap" was originally revealed as a Nintendo 64DD game. [ [http://ign64.ign.com/articles/066/066304p1.html "Pokemon Snap Moves to Cart"] . IGN. 6 January 1999. Retrieved 21 May 2006.] The game features 63 of the original generation of 151 Pokémon.

tory

nihongo|Todd Snap|トオル|Tōru, a fledgling 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.

Gameplay

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 Todd's technique (keeping the Pokémon centered in the frame). Extra points are awarded for capturing a "Special" pose or Pokémon, 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. Each of the first six levels also contains the hidden likeness of a certain Pokémon in the environment, called a "Pokémon Sign." When the player photographs all the signs and presents them to Professor Oak, the seventh level is unlocked.

The game also features an "Album mark" where players can mark their favorite pictures to view at a later date or show to friends. [http://www.nintendo.com/gamefaqgallery?gameid=m-Game-0000-210 Pokemon Snap Nintendo page FAQ] [http://www.nintendo.com/gamefaqgallery?gameid=m-Game-0000-210#m-FAQItem-0000-560 Pokemon Snap Nintendo page FAQ - Album Mark] In the Virtual Console version for the Wii, players have the ability to send photos to the Wii message board, other people with Wii consoles, or the photo channel.

Marketing

Upon the game's release, Nintendo launched a marketing campaign in which owners of "Pokémon Snap" could bring a memory card with game data on it to a retail store and print a sheet of 16 stickers featuring the photos they'd taken. Nintendo partnered with Blockbuster in North America Lawson in Japan and Toys "R" Us and Myer in Australia for the promotion. Stores in these franchises carried "Pokémon Stations" which could print the stickers for a fee of $3. In North America, the promotion ran through the US Thanksgiving of 1999 in more than 4,500 Blockbuster stores. [ [http://ign64.ign.com/articles/068/068057p1.html "Nintendo Strikes Blockbuster Deal"] . IGN. 13 May 1999. Retrieved 11 May 2006.]

Reception

Fans were disappointed by the small number of courses, along with the fact that only 63 of the original 151 Pokémon were included. [Casamassina, Matt. [http://ign64.ign.com/articles/152/152335p1.html "Pokémon Snap review"] . IGN. 27 July 1999. Retrieved 15 August 2006.] Despite this, the game received good reviews in the media.

References

External links

* [http://www.pokemon.com Official Nintendo Pokémon site]
*GameFAQs|type=/console/n64|num=198311|name="Pokémon Snap"
* [http://ign64.ign.com/objects/002/002335.html?ui=gamefinder IGN's coverage of Pokémon Snap]