New Pokemon Snap has received its first free DLC update, adding brand-new areas for players to explore. While it isn't known if the game will be getting more paid or free DLC in the future, there is still plenty of potential for new content.
Currently, there are many different habitats that players are able to explore in New Pokemon Snap. With how many Pokemon there are in the series as a whole, these habitats have the ability to go far beyond normal animal habitats. This can already be seen in-game with how there are Pokemon that live in Ruins, but the future could expand on this, as well as what has been already shown in the free content update.
These possible new locations would be able to introduce more Pokemon from the mainline series, as well as house Pokemon already available in-game. The change in location would additionally allow for many Pokemon to be seen in new situations and poses that make filling out the Photodex that much easier.
Graveyard/Haunted House
While the Lental region in New Pokemon Snap doesn't have any human settlements outside of the lab, it is still rife with old ruins connected to an ancient group of humans. With Professor Mirror constantly researching the region, it could be possible for him to discover an old graveyard or abandoned mansion that has since been taken over by Pokemon. Of course, these Pokemon would mostly be the fearsome Ghost-type Pokemon in majority.
Many more Ghost-type Pokemon have been added to the Pokedex since the original Pokemon Snap, with that game having its own seemingly cut Ghost-themed stage. All of the new Pokemon could have the potential to be right at home in a stage themed around them. With players being on rails, there's the possible addition of minor scares happening as players explore the area.
If the stage were to be a graveyard, players would likely be able to see the silhouettes of Pokemon watching them from beyond the trees, requiring Illumina Orbs to reveal them. Non-Ghost-type Pokemon such as Cubone also have the potential for important moments in the stage. It could additionally end with players going into an underground tomb where Cofagrigus and other Pokemon wait for foolish grave robbers.
For a haunted house, there is the potential for many different hidden branching paths as well and great hiding places for Pokemon. Sinistea and Polteageist could be inside a china cabinet, with Banette and Mimikyu hiding among the toys in a child's room. In reference to the Sinnoh mainline games, lucky players may be able to find Rotom haunting a television or other old electronics.
More of Florio Island
Despite being the starting island in New Pokemon Snap, there isn't too much variety on Florio Island. The newest content update DLC may have added the Side Path day and night courses, but it is still just technically part of Florio Nature Park.
The Nature Park is only a fraction of what is shown of the full island from above. There are plenty of mountains as well as coves and a large lake that cannot be explored, giving a lot of room for possible new areas to be added in the future.
With the lake, another underwater stage has potential. This would allow players to explore fresh water habitats and see the Pokemon that make such environments their home. If players throw a Fluffruit toward the top of the water in certain areas, some Pokemon from the surface might even dip their heads in the water in order to eat, providing quite the photo opportunity.
Other Shrunken Side Paths
Players are able to access the Florio Nature Park side path via using the shrinking function on the NEO-ONE. This allows players to see Pokemon from a much lower angle, as they are now smaller than their surroundings. Because this feature by Professor Mirror is still in testing, players are only able to use it in Florio Nature Park.
The wording of Professor Mirror implies that this feature may be available in other maps at some point in the future, but this is still technically unconfirmed. Its further usage could make for some amazing secret side paths in other maps.
One map that could benefit from a Side Path via the shrinking feature is Shiver Snowfields. At one point in the map players come across a large crack in the ground. If players had the ability to shrink in and explore what goes beyond that path, there is potential for some beautiful sights in the glowing ice caverns below.
More Alternate Times
While many of the maps in New Pokemon Snap offer the ability to explore during either day or night, there are some that only offer one option. Maricopia Reef is the only stage in-game where players are presented with the option to explore during evening.
Since Maricopia Reef is currently the only map with the evening option, others should get this option as well. This will give maps that many players have gone through over and over again a new way to enjoy them, with the possibility of new Pokemon able to appear during this time. Additionally, Maricopia should get a nighttime option, allowing players to see the ocean at its darkest.
Other maps that need more time options include the Lental Seafloor, Elsewhere Forest, Outaway Cave, Volcano, and the Ruins. These maps have large portions where the sun likely wouldn't make a difference, but that doesn't mean that time of day wouldn't affect the Pokemon inside. For example, the Lental Seafloor would likely have more dangerous Pokemon swimming around after the sun has set. Players would additionally need to rely more on their own light, Crystablooms, Illumina Orbs, and Pokemon such as Chinchou and Lantern in order to see their surroundings.
No further DLC is currently confirmed for New Pokemon Snap, but there is still plenty of room for speculation based on information available in the game. Either way, there is still much more to see in the Lental Region.
New Pokemon Snap is now available for the Nintendo Switch.