Snap Happy | New Pokémon Snap REVIEW

It took over twenty years, but it's finally time to review New Pokémon Snap!
If you like what I do, please consider supporting me on Patreon!
/ arlostuff
TWOOTER: @ArloStuff
BOOKFACE: ArloStuff
This video was edited by the lovely Kane!
/ farfetchdreviews
Additional footage provided by Yoshiller and Masae Anela.
Lab background provided by @NateGullion (Twitter)
"Reloaded Installer #11" by LHS.
/ @lhschiptunes

[@ColinHuth]

Never before has a new release put me in such a strange “will this be fun” position. When the original came out, I was a toddler… and now, *I do the main mechanic of the game for a living.*

[@animeartist888]

That does put a specific kind of worry on the main mechanic. Will you be constantly feeling like you're at work, and therefore not have fun? Will you keep comparing the video game-y mechanics to how it feels to use a real camera and get frustrated? Or will it breathe new life into a hobby that *captured* you so well that you made it your career in the first place? Hmmm. I'd say you should try borrowing it if possible.

[@thespeedyyoshi]

That’s awesome man!

[@matthewmatthew981]

22 years later, and they still don't follow the Rule of Thirds.

[@NASCARFAN160]

Your pfp is perfect

[@TimeShifter42]

If it helps at all there's at least three videos out there where a professional photographer plays Pokémon Snap (Pretty much just search that) maybe that will help and/or be relatable?

[@SupremeMarioGamer]

Game Freak should outsource more spinoffs, because I REALLY want a new Pokemon game like Colosseum or Gale of Darkness. Or perhaps another tactics game like Conquest, or maybe even a Pokemon themed rhythm game?

[@mco7478]

This outsourced, d/p remakes are outsourced.... we have good chances for more outsourcing

[@Scum42]

I hope they outsource all their games, because they seem to be having a really hard time making their own recently.

[@mco7478]

@@Scum42 let's wait for Legends Arceus. But I understand your concerns.

[@spacejunk2186]

If this keeps going we will reach a point where Gamefreak is to Pokemon what the emperor was to Edo period Japan.

[@Magic_Ice]

They do with Mystery Dungeon

[@Hawlo]

I think this is a pretty good review overall. I do think you might've missed out on the auto-pick feature for the photos. If you press -, the game selects the best photo of each Pokemon you took pics of. It prioritizes new dex entries if you don't have them, and if you do, it just shows the pic that'd get the biggest score. I use it all the time, except for when I have to present specific pics for the requests.

[@denimchicken104]

Not quite. Auto pick selects a random photo, but prioritizes a pose you haven’t catalogued yet. It definitely doesn’t just pick the highest scoring photo.

[@Hawlo]

@@denimchicken104 Every time I compare the selected photo with the others I took, it's the best-looking one, though. I feel like I definitely would've noticed if it just picks one randomly.

[@denimchicken104]

@@Hawlo I’ve specifically tested this function by taking 2 pictures of a bunch of Pokémon, one close up and centered, and one far away and off center. That way it was obvious which on was worth more points. When I auto picked them, it sometimes picked the garbage shots. So it is random. If you want the best points, you’re better off picking them yourself. Unless you can’t tell the difference, then auto picking might bail you out.

[@catastrophetheendismeow8571]

I think you need to test this again because your very incorrect.

[@denimchicken104]

@@catastrophetheendismeow8571 lol okay. I’ve retested numerous times. I assure you, I am correct.

[@Rhinneh]

I was so impressed with the amount of content in new snap. Every time I was sure I was playing the last level, more would appear! Somehow I got to 110 hours and I’d still be playing if my sister wasn’t hogging the switch.

[@eddiegomez2911]

How can she be hogging the switch if u played 110 hours???

[@the_legendary_fire]

@@eddiegomez2911 hey it happens I know though I managed to convince her to get a lite for herself and now I've got 40 hours on miitopia in 9 days

[@captainnintendo]

That Last Unicorn reference hit pretty hard. Such an accurate analogy

[@linkspokemon4114]

Da last uniiiiicorn

[@jasonulloa]

@@PikaLink91 1:19

[@MrMathGames]

@@PikaLink91 It was an animated movie back in the 1980s.

[@KairuHakubi]

my entire 30s "oh NOW you're going to pander to me? now you're finally going to release perfect replicas of the movie TMNT? high quality gargoyles figures? you waited til NOW for that? when I'm old and broken down and poor? not when I was young and had good eyes and disposable income..."

[@SecondController]

Never seen it

[@mattb6522]

Roses are red, Arlo is blue. If you were a Pokemon, I'd throw apples at you.

[@cameronspencer9619]

*Ow,* what the heck?!

[@theunknown4834]

Roses are red, Mirror is not Oak, Would like a fluff or a very nice poke

[@PeterGriffin11]

Roses are red Violets are blue if I were a Pokémon I'd hurt you

[@mattb6522]

@@PeterGriffin11 So cruel! 😥

[@cristianjimenez3657]

Arlo your review really put this game into perspective. You framed it quite well and even opened an aperture of possible sequel potential.

[@ian-blum]

Boooo bad joke

[@tadpoleon1802]

@@ian-blum nah this is legendary

[@Immortalangel14]

You were close

[@netweed09]

😂 His +ve review does help it that much more with the exposure it may need coming reely late, 20 years!

[@nickk3077]

I am so surprised this game didn’t come out during the Wii U era! I mean, that console was just PERFECT for a new Pokémon Snap game! Maybe they were working on my it for Wii U at some point, but then they shifted focus on the Switch because of poor Wii U sales. I mean, I think Luigi’s Mansion 3 was originally a Wii U game at one point, so this could’ve been too!

[@frozenpancakes]

I completely agree

[@matthewmuir8884]

The sad thing is that games that could actually utilize the Wii U's second screen beyond inventory or map screens without ruining the controls could've really helped the Wii U's sales. A camera game like this would probably have helped the Wii U a lot.

[@louisebrown103]

It was on 64 then ported to switch 4 the annivetsary

[@realhumanbean46]

Weird everyone said they should've made one for 3ds because it has a camera and mic. As of now people like this game for the graphics but disappointed that the gameplay is not as good as the N64.

[@jamesacosta2535]

According to interviews, Bandai Namco was only given the chance to make this game because they did well on pokken tournament. Given that the first game was released in 2015 and the switch version was released in 2017, its VERY likely that they wouldn't have been able to start development until after the switch came out. If this was a Wii U game, the timeline does not add up.

[@HarrisBoe]

“I probably spent most of my time throwing apples at charmanders to make them bend over...” Oh no “...to make it look like they were tossing their cookies” Oh thank god.

[@Lightspeeds]

Rule 34: *Fool, you've already lost!*

[@teero121]

"Got me pegged."

[@austins.2495]

Bent over Charmander 🥵

[@InnerRise]

He did it wrong. I was never thinking about their cookies. I was thinking about their groceries.

[@tompotter8703]

I could have lived the rest of my life not knowing that in 1999, GameFreak released a game where one of their most popular creatures could twerk.

[@MegaDude10]

I always imagined that the Professor and his assistant are actually just lying to you about the "fluff fruit" to make sure the kid doesn't feel bad using them. If you get a picture of Pokemon hunting each other, the prof will comment "Playing Tag", as if to hide the fact the prey was trying not to be eaten. If they're willing to hide natural stuff like that, who says they didn't lie about the fruit too?

[@rchaelk2319]

Well yeah, it's for the kid in the game AND outside of the game considering the target audience. But that's actually a fun thought.

[@scootermcpeanuts6699]

@@rchaelk2319 When you look at it that way it kinda adds a funny bit of characterization to the professor.

[@KairuHakubi]

What I found really interesting about the star system, beyond how it lets you capture more than one picture as the 'best' for each one (that was so frustrating in the old game), it's also deceiving.. there aren't just four behaviors for each one, there are usually several behaviors. one-star might include standing, walking, sleeping.. two-star might include eating, being beaned in the gourd, or being surprised by something..

[@RPG_Hacker]

Personally, my favorite feature in New Pokemon Snap is something most people probably won't even notice: The addition of realistic Pokemon screams. I like how the developers took the established screams of each Pokemon, but then modified and twisted them until they sounded like something that might actually come from the respective Pokemon in real life. They also gave each Pokemon multiple variations of their screams to fit their different animations. That's what I call "walking the extra mile", and it makes the entire world feel so much more real and immersive. If nothing else, the realistic Pokemon screams are the one feature I'd like to see adopted into the main series at some point.

[@paragonyoshi4237]

Realistic Pokemon screams actually were a thing since Pokemon Stadium. So glad to see that back. But yeah, I will never understand the "saying their own names" thing. Like how can you listen to that for 30 minutes, without going completely insane?! oO

[@RPG_Hacker]

​@@paragonyoshi4237 Oh, didn't know that. Missed many of the Pokemon spin-offs, especially from the earlier days. Mainly know the screams from the main line games, which tend to sound very artificial an monotonous. The variations in New Pokemon Snap feel like a major improvement over that.

[@EvyDevy]

Masuda said in an interview before SwSh came out that Pokemon would have realistic animal cries if the games had voice acting (Whereas the anime has Pokemon say their name with a VA voicing it) so this is what he was likely talking about. Likely might be the case the core games eventually if not already.

[@RPG_Hacker]

@@EvyDevy Sounds like an interesting, but also kinda random and confusing rule. Sure hope the main line series will see this implemented at some point.

[@EvyDevy]

@@RPG_Hacker I wouldn't view it as a rule. Masuda did say there are exceptions I think. Pikachu and Eevee still use voice actors. That and some pokemon still use words like Calyrex saying "crown". But probably like 95% of the pokemon will use animal cries as trying to voice HUNDREDS of Pokemon AND in like NINE languages is wayyyy too much complexing work. Though SwSh already implemented realistic animal sounds such as when they step around and stuff.

[@joltx9909]

This game made me realize even stronger how beautiful megenium's design actually is

[@HamsterMaster8]

I loved it when I knocked squirtle into a whirlpool and todd said 'Wow! That was great technique'. Thanks todd

[@HotelMari0Maker]

PETA has entered the chat.

[@zzuxon]

The thing I really like about the star system is that there will always be a place for a really good "basic" shot in your photodex. In the original, the point bonuses for even a mediocre "special" shot would throw out a basic shot.

[@ShinyGaara65]

I am a simple man. I hear that specific "boonk" sound. I laugh my butt off. You are a man of good taste, Arlo. :D

[@Alex_1A]

I think that was Kane. Good use of for sure though.

[@pikmaniac1557]

That was very funny

[@Legend_Zone]

I can tell you really took a magnifying *lens* to this game, Arlo. Truly, this review is so good it could be part of a *film* if you wanted. You've convinced me in a *flash* that it's definitely a good game, though I have yet to *develop* a full fledged interest in Pokémon games. Anyway, great video, I hope your *resolution* to keep up with Nintendo games stays strong!

[@AshkarBehek0]

"lens","film","flash","develop","resolution". I don't get it. Can somebody help me ? :/

[@rhettmitchell]

@@AshkarBehek0 hmmmm I don’t get it either 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@marioalbertomoreno3819]

you guys are serious?

[@cv6531]

@@marioalbertomoreno3819 forgive them for their lack of exposure

[@cyankoopa8111]

@@marioalbertomoreno3819 All they need to do is *focus* for a little, and they'll get it..

[@dewtheone]

I'd love to play this game, but I *shutter* at the $60 price tag

[@saikanzen1762]

It just doesn't click with me either.

[@cinderfeather]

games are 60 bucks now gotta deal with it lol I like the game it's cute.

[@KonDragon008]

It could be because I got super *focused* on the game, but I felt it was $60 well spent.

[@LuisMorales-gr2rs]

It's worth it! More that many other games. Its made with a lot of love. At least ask a friend to share it with you first.

[@Ronald_Whitesel]

I got it off eBay for $40

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

The problem with Requests is that you complete a lot of them before they're given, which doesn't count. And then to complete it again, you need to turn in a *better* shot of it, which can be very hard.

[@DirectorOfChaos9292]

Yeah, it's complete BS. Like I already got the photo! Why do i need to take it again

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

@@DirectorOfChaos9292 And somehow, these are the only times when I get a great photo the first time, so I can never top it and complete the Request.

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

And sometimes it's something easy like "take a picture of a sleeping Exeggutor." Of course I already did that.

[@cortster12]

I learned to ignore requests. You have a MUCH better experience.

[@pkmntrainermark8881]

@@cortster12 Yeah, but once you've beaten the game, they're a decent guide to finding high ranking poses.

[@tizardon3301]

I love the new snap, but i kinda miss pokemon evolving ingame. Those charmeleon and magikarp evolutions just hit different!

[@Level1Sword]

You are the only KZbinr I follow who has ever referenced The Last Unicorn. Well done, sir.

[@deegedeegerson9286]

I spent 55 hours in this game, nearly completed the Photodex, maxed the levels on every stage... and I only have about 30 requests completed. So yeah the request system could be better.

[@DirectorOfChaos9292]

Like they should already count the one you took

[@PownUnoobs]

My face lit up, honest to God, when the video opened with Oak's theme.

[@stevencraeynest7729]

that is one hell of a good sounding (and nostalgic) tune!

[@astromouse9745]

I'm just glad they're bringing old series back to the table and not severely butchering them like OTHER series in the Nintendo world.

[@rohanrodrigues7115]

@@PassTheMic2006 earthbound is done, finished. All that one can really hope for is a remake of sorts for one or all the games. But then again, getting the third game over to the west is really difficult

[@isaiahdavis9486]

@@PassTheMic2006 They didn’t butcher either of those series, they just stopped making them, which is still tragic, but at least it wasn’t a Hey Pikmin or ChiBi-Robo Ziplash deal.

[@bs321321]

Paper Mario. Grrr.

[@astromouse9745]

@@bs321321 ^^^

[@rohanrodrigues7115]

@@bs321321 it's better now at least lol

[@Gelgoog]

"How I long for a VR Nintendo system" Nintendo tried that already. it's called the virtual boy

[@silentdebugger]

don't forget Labo Cardboard VR

[@bubblesnopemporium5880]

Yeah but virtual boy wasn't VR though

[@LampenBrille]

Virtual Roy

[@AidanRatnage]

@@bubblesnopemporium5880 What was it then?

[@bubblesnopemporium5880]

@@AidanRatnage it's just like looking at a 3ds screen with only black and red and nothing in you peripheral vision

[@RolandGoose]

I appreciate The Last Unicorn references

[@TheBlueArmageddon]

Is it really a refrence if he directly names it?

[@berylliosis5250]

@@TheBlueArmageddon He's certainly referring to it

[@BingBong67489]

@@TheBlueArmageddon Yes, that's still a reference. I think you are confusing "reference" with "allusion".

[@TheBlueArmageddon]

@@BingBong67489 Hmm no, what he does in this video is more of a Shoutout

[@BingBong67489]

@@TheBlueArmageddon It's a reference according to the dictionary definition of reference.

[@nimbasaboy2124]

My favorite detail is that each Pokémon gets its own request, so that one Pokémon doesn’t get favored over the rest

[@timwoods2852]

I'm certainly enjoying my experience. Something you didn't really mention, or at least go into detail on, was the personality of each Pokemon. Some are just doing their thing, but then you've got Machamp who poses for you. It wants you to see it's muscles. They don't all feel like static or robotic characters just going through their set tracks, even if they technically are.

[@donesparce6870]

Game: here’s a hint in a quest to help you find a cool Pokémon action! :) Hint: “Man this Pokémon is cool! Wonder what it’s doing?” Way you get the picture: throw five fluff fruits at two trees, scan a flower, jump out of the cart punch a Pokémon and pray Professor mirror likes your effort

[@tacoman1592]

I love that if you look really closely at Arbok, it's covered in scales. A really subtle texture but adds a lot when you're getting so close up!

[@KoopaKontroller]

One of my best 4 star pictures is a picture of Heliolist running over the water. That is totally obscured by grass and completely unrecognizable.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

"Looking for answers online probably...." *Austin John Plays:* HELLO THERE hungry for apples?!

[@Play_Dreams]

Never expected to get 20hrs out of this game. There are just so many secrets.

[@auntjimima9709]

I’m going to hurt you

[@DarthRaichu]

I have 50 😂. I also have no idea how I got that much time out of this gamw

[@tomascarrasco371]

It's sad that people these days feel like getting 20 hrs out of a sixty buck game is incredible

[@vanchovski]

@@tomascarrasco371 It's not about how many hours you got out of a game, it's about how many of them you truly enjoyed. I don't think that a raw number of hours actually reflects a game's quality in any way

[@legendarygamez1540]

@@vanchovski agreed

[@2bitbyte]

I can't just come up with a pun in a snap, Arlo. But seriously, this game was the best Pokemon experience I've had in years. Never was one of the people asking for this sequel, but now I get where they were coming from.

[@jackall-trades6149]

And now to wait for the flash bulb to go off at Nintendo that reminds them “Pokémon Colosseum” was a thing.

[@Alex_1A]

Just getting another Miror B. appearance would be great.

[@jackall-trades6149]

@@Alex_1A Heh, any Pokémon game would be better with those sick beats!

[@Alex_1A]

Now we just need a return of Conquest, Colosseum, Poképark, Rumble, etc.

[@caviicape]

i would give anything for a poképark 3 on switch

[@austingordon3709]

And Ranger.

[@YerkDiff]

can we talk about how gorgeous this game is though? Best Pokemon's ever looked hands down!

[@LapisPebble]

Pretty sad if you think about it, looks like this game could run on the PS3

[@henryarnold8084]

@@LapisPebble 🤡

[@rchaelk2319]

@@LapisPebble I mean, to be fair the switch HAS only the power of a ps3 (maybe a little better but that's it).

[@da45r]

@@LapisPebble WHAT DO YOU WANT

[@LapisPebble]

@@da45r you 😉

[@KittMouri]

I'm glad folks are having fun with this. I watched a bunch of playthroughs and this game isn't for me and that's fine. I'm glad you guys are able to get a really good remake of a nostalgic classic. Have fun! ♡

[@lancelovecraft5913]

These are my feelings for monster hunter. It looks great but its not for me but i am really happy for the fanbase and glad everyone is having fun with monster hunter

[@lpnp9477]

Hey so, not a remake. It's a bona fide sequel.

[@iamapie13]

I've sorta neglected the pockemon series for a while now everything about it just didn't feel like my thing, but lately I decided to watch the original series (the animated series) and I remembered why I loved it so much as a child and how much different it used to be, it was definitely a nostalgia trip and one I wasn't expecting, turns out my child self liked pokemon more than I remembered

[@Eggmancan]

I hope next gen we get *Pokemon Snap: Breadth of the Wild*, a giant open world snap game where we go hunting for wild pokemon to take pictures of in order to fulfill requests so that we can earn money to buy new equipment and tools that allow us to take even cooler pictures.

[@GuardedLegacy]

This review makes me want a Jurassic Park Snap.

[@banndsand]

"I just didn't know if I really wanted a new pokemon snap, or if I only thought I did because I used to..." Honestly I was in the same boat on this one. Thanks for the review! This really put things in perspective for me.

[@thatdanjamesguy.330]

Most Arlo endings: You’re awesome, have a great day This video’s ending: Make puns my loyal subjects, my happiness depends on it!

[@notsoAceTrainer]

I was never that into the first one (never owned a N64 and I felt like it wasn't my "thing"). Bought the new one for streaming/hype purposes and well, I never thought I would love it as much as I do! It looks beautiful and it's impossible to see everything on the first run! Just turned the game off a few minutes ago and I was gleaming with just noticing a Shaymin sleeping in the grass! What a surprising game!

[@introdeathripper]

I don’t have this game (yet) but I’ll have it someday. It certainly captured my attention when it first came out.

[@TheJamesHayesShow42]

Did you end up getting? asking a year later :)

[@introdeathripper]

@@TheJamesHayesShow42 Nah not yet, I’m thinking about it though.

[@TheJamesHayesShow42]

@@introdeathripper It's a fun game. But it's kinda lost on me because I dont have the magic of being a kid lol

[@MazCat]

I love this game SO MUCH and it's really great to see a proper in depth review of it. Brilliant, thank you!

[@FreePokemonGiveaway]

This is just what I needed! I bought the game last week but haven’t had time to play it yet and now I can go in with the learning curve being a little easier. Thanks Arlo!

[@MatthewMinson]

I really like how Arlo goes over both sides of Pokemon Snap, the goods and the bads. It definitely lens some credibility to his review!

[@HellfireComms]

It's every bit the sequel I wanted all these years. Couldn't be happier tbh

[@Hirochicken]

I found the leveling down a stage handy for introducing a new player to the level, such as my kids and wife. The pokemon are a bit more low-key and less chaotic.

[@MajoraZ]

I only just started to play, but something I've sadly noticed is a lot of the video game disscusion places I frequent have already stopped talking about it and I don't see potos posted to twitter anymore. I really feel like that social element is important for a game like this and it will be a shame if it dries out this early. If anybody knows of communities still sharing photos and talking about it, let me know!

[@denimchicken104]

You can try the Reddit page. Although that is very empty as well. Unfortunately Snap is just a pretty niche game and it just didn’t grab everybody’s attention when it came out.

[@LuisMorales-gr2rs]

I don't post because I don't want to spoil other people's run. Maybe others feel the same?

[@kickmonlee3390]

When you got a 20 hour game with little interactivity you arent gonna get much of a subreddit. Also most of the articles I saw about pokemon snap when it first came out were like "why your snap photos suck?" Maybe that's why people arent posting their pics as much

[@PredictableEnigma]

@@denimchicken104 i think the crowd that loves this game tends to not use reddit

[@denimchicken104]

@@PredictableEnigma it was just an option. I don’t know where people can go to discuss Pokémon snap… I hear the cool kids hang out on discord?

[@dapperdabber13]

_A wild Todd Snap appears_ *Todd used attract!* IT'S SUPER EFFECTIVE Yeeeeeah Todd got the glow up of the CENTURY. Whew.

[@offthewall2017]

"Does anyone actually enjoy characters like this?" Yes, actually, Arlo. They do. That's been a common complaint from people in the last few generations of Pokemon, that your rival is too nice to you. They want a rude asshole to beat and feel superior too.

[@shigerumiyamoto9612]

Except this rival isn't like Blue nor silver... He is just annoying

[@Dev_Astral]

@@shigerumiyamoto9612 Not only that but he’s not even a rival. He does nothing outside of whining.

[@lpcaiser]

12:48 Is that Alex Olney holding the cartridge? Don't tell me it isn't, I'd recognize that ring anywhere!

[@TheForNoReason]

Last Unicorn references always gets the thumbs up.

[@Torencresent]

one thing. when reviewing your pictures, it actually does tell you if its a request photo. I think the only actual issue with it is that you can only turn in one request photo per pokemon per trip, and that sucks if you have a really good picture of the same pokemon that you are missing from your dex.

[@denimchicken104]

It only tells you if it’s a request photo AFTER it’s evaluated. So if it’s slightly off, or you have no idea if you’re on the right track, it can waste a lot of time and effort.

[@eonbree8593]

all the bonk sound effects really enhanced this video

[@dinogolfer]

Just a tip on 'Leading' pokemon places. From the footage you used and what you said, it sounds like you're waiting for them to finish eating to continue leading them to the next spot. In reality, to lead them, just chuck them in a line, one after the other. If the pokemon is on the way to one fluffruit and spots another one thrown, they will start walking to the second one. Once they start eating, it can't be interrupted, so you specifically DON'T want them to eat the fluffruit. Just thought I'd give this tip as it is EXTREMELY helpful for a good third or so of the requests.

[@animalcrackin]

My biggest concern with the game is the apparent lack of player interactivity with the Pokémon / environment and just the lack of things happening and how static the environment feels in general. I can't help but just feel bored at some point running through the levels, realizing my illumina orbs and fluffruit aren't really going to change much of anything other than the poses of the Pokémon. For instance, there are a few spots in the game where you can clearly see a Pokémon den, and you would hope that throwing a fruit into the den entrance would prompt a Pokémon to come out and eat, but instead nothing happens. Or like the first time you knock a Magicarp into the water, I was so hyped and ready to see Gyrados pop out, but nothing happened. I feel like the original game had so much to do and see in each level, with the ability to evolve Pokémon, force them into doing certain things and interacting in ways that wouldn't be possible if you weren't influencing it, but with this game it feels like what is going to happen is already happening without your help. You use to be able to hit switches and unlock levels by finding new paths through the environment. But now, the new paths you find in levels are nothing more than choosing to go left or right around a tree or rock, or like.. Bidoof finished building his damn, so now you can go over the damn to cross the creek instead of going over the bridge which is less than 20 feet away. Yay! I'm sorry, it all just feels so underwhelming to me. I really expected interactivity to be the one thing they expanded upon the most, but it seems like the one thing they completely neglected. Also, considering the fact that this game has had 22 years to evolve, it's really a massive disappointment to see how little it has changed. In all reality, it has been stripped of certain things that made the original so fun (evolving Pokémon, unlocking new levels organically, Pokémon signs, etc.) and leaves us with literally the most bare bones experience possible for this game. So much has changed with technology over the years, it almost feels like a crime to see that this game could have come out on the Gamecube like Arlo said. He kinda just brushed over this at the end of the video like it wasn't that big of a deal, but I feel like this is a huge issue with Pokémon games as a whole. Each new game that comes out feels like the absolute most minimal amount of effort was put in to create a game that in all reality could have come out a decade ago and still would not have been impressive. For instance, I would have been much more impressed with this game if each time you load into a level the Pokémon were always different, spawned in different locations and could move around freely without having a fixed path or set of actions to perform. You know.. like.. how it would be in real life to go on a safari taking photos of animals. They could even have a pre-determined set of Pokémon that show up randomly in every level with each Pokémon having its own spawn chance and locations and some even being super rare. This would make the game so much more dynamic and make each run and photo you captured unique to your own experience, which in turn would make sharing photos with your friends infinitely more satisfying. The technology is totally there to do something like this, but I guess mediocre is all we can ever hope for from Pokémon games. All in all, I truly, truly loved the original Pokémon Snap, but this one just feels like another massive waste of potential from the highest grossing franchise of all time.

[@kickmonlee3390]

Yeah this is basically a remake of a 20 year old game in new graphics with less interactivity all while being sold for 60$. But it's also completely expected given the pokemon companies track record. Sadly my hopes are quite low for the upcoming pokemon games

[@beec6801]

Great review! I agree with basically everything you said. My main complaint personally was that I wish the environments and Pokemon actions were a little more dynamic. I think because it focuses so much on beauty it lacks in being super dynamic. Still a great game though!

[@HFRC56]

Damn, last time I was this early my mom wasn't disappointed with me yet.

[@zoiker3512]

So, before you were born

[@chrange9714]

@@zoiker3512 Got im

[@ryanbeam8698]

After watching your review, the game just *clicked* for me. It's definitely in my *frame* now!

[@DrMatrix1231]

"AGGRESSIVELY INHALES" ha

[@drowningin]

o_o subtle NOT

[@Socioromanticism]

I appreciate someone reviewing the game. I very much want to spend a lot of time playing it, but life gets in the way. I'm glad it's as good as I think it is having just played a little of it.

[@cortster12]

I've never played the first, but after playing the new one I can't say it looks appealing... Because New Pokemon Snap is just so beautiful! While the older one is a product of its time.

[@SuperWiiBros08]

I'm snapped Arlo still can't be fully satisfied

[@TheCoolDudeYT]

Dude you are EVERYWHERE

[@segasaturn8188]

I see what you did there 😏

[@Dizz2K7]

You tried.

[@shaobues]

My only issue is that it's not run by Prof. Oak. Hearing "you were close" evey second was hilarious

[@dmaprojectlogan]

I think playing the game undocked is such a different experience. Once you let the Gyro controls take over it almost is a VR experience. That to me was the game changer and really validated it for me.That and the auto pick feature. Good review 👍

[@Tb40556]

Arlo quoting Molly Gru is literally everything I ever needed

[@skibot9974]

2:55 depends on the context. He was unnessecary in this game but in the mainline series the lack of a hostile rival is one of the biggest issues of the modern games

[@X3nophiliac]

hes not even that twerpy tho. Bebe was far more mean than Phil. All phil does is say "Bill is my mentor, don't take him" and "i could've taken a shot that good just you wait!" That isn't really that "mean". hes more like a cute annoying friend with a little bit of a childish/tsundere personality.

[@benjiglaab3045]

Great review Arlo mate. I punched about 10 hours into this on the weekend. Definitely a fun game if you are patient and cycle through all the levels

[@chunes5801]

Pretty sad that this is the best Pokemon game on switch

[@roshipower]

It would be the best even if the main series games were good

[@Magic_Ice]

Naw Rescue Team DX is.

[@oryx4954]

PLA was kindo cool tbo

[@500werewolf]

It has been so long since I've heard and seen of the last unicorn. That just hits such an obscure nostalgia for me you have no idea.

[@jacobtidwell8869]

Haven't played the game myself and instead watched a walkthrough of it on KZbin, but I gotta say, those Pokémon animations and behaviors look nice and flashy! I'd imagine that if I was to ever buy this game, it'd really click with me. There, those are my camera/photography puns. Happy?

[@zconqueror]

All I want is more Arlo Pokemon Skits uh insert camera pun here

[@TheLadyLiddell]

"Even nicer is the ability to quick turn" Me, 45 hours into the game: Wait, what? I really need to *focus* more, because I aparently missed that mechanic.

[@rykeman916]

Didn't get to play the original growing up but always wanted to, now I finally got to and I loved it

[@Rwhalt]

5:16 “scored on angle, size, & positioning” Story of my life.

[@brycedavenport4810]

@Arlo, mad props for not only the reference to The last unicorn but bring it up twice in one video. Definitely the last thing I expected to hear was this game being related to one of the most obscure animated movies I've ever seen.

[@King_Nipper]

Professor Oak said it best.... "Wonderful!"

[@robert3487]

Did anyone else expected we could use the labo camera, it would have been a really fun feature.

[@rec8127]

I can just tell how long Arlo's been waiting for this game. :D

[@Fralexion]

So, if Nintendo World doesn't eventually make a Pokemon Snap shooter ride in the vein of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, but where your "gun" is a camera and you get to keep one of the photos you took of pokemon at the end, what are they even doing?!

[@jasper-ul7kd]

only thing keeping me from getting this game is the price tag

[@oscarzxn4067]

I don't really see the issue with the price tag, as Arlo said this game can give you hours of fun if you want to get most what it can offer you and there is a lot of effort put intro the presentation, and while the main story is not super long, that's not too different from for example Mario Odyssey were the best stuff is after the credits

[@InnerRise]

Only thing keeping me from getting the game is the gameplay.

[@InnerRise]

@@oscarzxn4067 Mass Effect Collection. $60 for THREE WHOLE BIG RPG game. And they are more current games. Pokémon snap......and old as h311 game.......nothing new.....short....and only 1 game.....$60 dollars? Gurl bai.

[@PinkBunnyCorporation]

Honestly I already got more playtime in this game than I did out of sword and shield and I'm still not done. Also it's a better value even compared to the original pokemon snap. Normally I understand the argument, but here, the context seems to show me that it isn't really all that bad. Still, you will have to wait a while to pick up this game for $50 either used or on sale.

[@oscarzxn4067]

@@InnerRise Aren't those ports of old games with improved visuals though? also in that case every game that only includes one game and that's not an RPG it's not worth $60

[@josiahgarber3761]

On the topic of game length, I think that it would be interesting to look at how the standards for game length and price have changed over the years and how that relates to the price of the game, both to create and to buy, now and in the past. A video on that would be super interesting!

[@miket.1933]

I was hoping that in the last seconds of the video an apple would hit Arlo ^^ That would have been amazing

[@SegaDisneyUniverse]

Okay but I can definitely relate to that Last Unicorn reference. How I wish all these games existed when I was a kid, maybe I'd be able to enjoy them more because sometimes It's just nice to play a game blind.

[@JasonPuckettNY]

i think you really zoomed in on the right issues here arlo

[@chrissessions6108]

For anyone who enjoyed the original, this game is a must. I agree that the biggest problem is just how insanely long we had to wait for a sequel, to the point that everyone is hesitant to even try the sequel for fear of tainting a childhood memory. Overall they did a wonderful job of making it true to the original while also adding in some new twists. Personally I'm not a big fan of the scanner. I would rather have to figure out creative ways of interacting with the environment to trigger events like changing paths. I also wish that you could select one photo for every star category you caught during a run.

[@TheBlueArmageddon]

Imagine if this game was in VR

[@gamerkingdom1442]

Just finished the game a few days ago. COMPLETELY LOVED IT!! It’s the game that reminded me why I love Pokémon.

[@roshipower]

I shutter to think about going another 20 years without another Snap

[@TheNinjaScones]

I agree with your comments on the requests!! What I found really annoying is when I've already done the request, but I need to snap it again after the request is given because maybe I'm too clever for my own good. This is SUPER annoying with the Illumina/'boss' pokemon.

[@hotcocoabomb_]

Honestly it's amazing that they made a game with such a slow pace have really *snappy* gameplay

[@KairuHakubi]

that classic SNap64 music playing every time I boot this game up I start humming those memorable old tunes. sadly this one does not remotely live up to that music legacy, but it sure is great in every other way! ... man this video showed me a ton of pokemon i haven't found, or in locations I haven't found them, despite looking RIGHT THERE. that's replay value! oh, camera puns? uhh.. aperture right hand in, aperture right hand out...

[@nickb6425]

This game took me 15 hours to beat the main game! I didn’t think it would Pan out like that 😏

[@Lordodragonss]

You havent even toouched photo edit right? This alone took me like 40h xD

[@PhilFromTheAbyss]

Thank you for referencing The Last Unicorn, which I coincidentally just watched about a month ago :D Can you believe that none of my 3 housemates even heard of the film??

[@oliviac5476]

When I clicked on the vid, it had 151 views 😎 Been looking forward to your review, Mr Arlo. I've been waiting 20+ years for this game.

[@flarky6465]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one struggling with these requests. I spent way too long looking for "Meganium's little friend" that I got to level 3 on that course before that happened.

[@UltraBall23]

The main thing I hate is that requests are not intuitive at all. They are hyper complex and basically require a guide to complete.

[@flarky6465]

@@UltraBall23 I don't think that's true for all of the requests, since many of them are pretty straight forward and you can get on your 2nd time through, but there are a lot that I did have to look up

[@TheOfficalAndI]

"A few more unique phrases..." Not needed, just call everything "wonderful" again xD

[@PleasePleasePepper]

I'm glad to know i'm the only one who really struggled with the requests!!! I had to google most of the ones i actually got

[@gamersinger5118]

PepperTroopa The problem is how they were handled too often by very obtuse actions. The original's puzzles were hinted at and designed simply enough to understand but not be so overly confusing on how to accomplish them. Some took some thinking but they were not approached so seemingly random like the new one is. Still a good game and all but it is very odd how many of the requests work and I can't see any one person figuring every single one out on their own without some kind of guide. The titles of the requests do not help either nor does it find a way to fully explain what the primary pokemon is supposed to be in the picture to complete it when multiple pokemon are needed. Despite all this I was actually surprised at just how many they were able to fit in the game and many of the interactions were so cleverly designed. Since I did not expect much for a new Pokemon Snap game it actually impressed me how much they accomplished with the game. But it is just as Arlo said. It could have been a lot better in many areas on how they went about it. I am sure many are mixed overall on the final verdict when it comes to the criticism but it is at least a good solid overall game. That gives me some hope.