New Pokemon Snap is finally here for the Nintendo Switch. It's been more than two decades since the classic N64 original, and Pokemon fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. New Pokemon Snap finally fulfills that dream, but it also brings a lot of new content on top of the original formula.
Part of the charm of New Pokemon Snap is all the secret references to other Pokemon media. From references to the Game Boy Advance games to secrets only the most dedicated will find, easter eggs pop up all through the Lental region to those with discerning eyes.
10 Todd Snap Comes Back
Todd Snap, the protagonist from the first Pokemon Snap, makes an appearance in the sequel. That's right — he's back after all these years. Todd's grown up a bit in the years since the original, and when the player finds him, Todd helps them get started in the Lental region.
Interestingly enough, Todd also helped design the player's new vehicle in New Pokemon Snap, the NEO-ONE. Like the character, this vehicle has an easter egg of its own.
9 ZERO-ONE Becomes The NEO-ONE
The ZERO-ONE was the iconic vehicle in the original Pokemon Snap game. The player would ride it to take natural photos of Pokemon in the various zones. In New Pokemon Snap, the vehicle has been redeveloped by Todd Snap himself into the NEO-ONE.
The NEO-ONE has several updates over the old version, but is still restricted to on-rails movement. However, there are ways to change how it moves on the track, just like in the old Pokemon Snap.
8 A Reference To The Latest Pokemon Movie
In the lab in New Pokemon Snap, players who have seen the most recent Pokemon movie might have found this easter egg. Audiences of Pokemon the Movie: Coco (also known as Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle overseas) get a special treat if they look closely on the wall.
On the wall are several photos of locations that appeared in Pokemon the Movie: Coco. These include a Pokemon Center and several other buildings. In the movie itself, Rita, the lab assistant in New Pokemon Snap, appears as well.
7 The Lental Language Translates To English
The Lental language appears throughout New Pokemon Snap, represented by its own unique set of characters and symbols. However, the code works almost like a cipher. Each letter of the Lental language corresponds to a letter in English.
For example, on the NEO-ONE, the Lental symbols actually correspond to NEO-ONE. When Professor Mirror is evaluating your photos, the Lental script translates to "initializing".
6 Ho-Oh Does Its Emerald Version Pose
Legendary Pokemon show up throughout each level in New Pokemon Snap, and Ho-Oh is no exception. Once the player beats the game, most legendary Pokemon will show up. Ho-Oh appears in Fireflow Volcano Level 3.
Look closely, though. This Pokemon will spread its wings over its head in a circular shape, just like its sprite model did in Pokemon: Emerald Version for the Game Boy Advance. It's a very subtle nod, but a nod nonetheless.
5 Each Level Changes Over Time
As the player continues in their journey across New Pokemon Snap, levels and areas will shift and change as more goals are completed. These changes show time passing in the game, and it's neat to see how each area changes.
For instance, "Dam, Sweet Dam" is a request that can players can only take when the Bidoof of Florio Nature Park have completed their dam. This happens by level 3.
4 Every Version Of Eevee Makes An Appearance
In the original Pokemon Snap, Eevee showed up, but none of its evolutions made an appearance. In the sequel, though, every single one of Eevee's evolutionary forms makes an appearance. However, some are much rarer than others.
The player can find Flareon, Umbreon, Espeon, Glaceon, Leafeon, Sylveon, and Jolteon all without beating the game first. Meanwhile, Vaporeon is found in the post-story nighttime version of Maricopia Reef.
3 Suicune and Manaphy Show Up Once The Game Is Beat
Once the player beats the story of New Pokemon Snap, several legendary Pokemon and unique Pokemon suddenly become available in the world. Among these are Suicine and Manaphy, two legendary Pokemon respectively from Pokemon: Gold/Silver/Crystal Version on the Game Boy and Pokemon: Diamond/ Pearl/Platinum for the Nintendo DS.
Manaphy is found in the nighttime version of Maricopia Reef. Meanwhile, Suicine is found through a complicated series of events in the Shiver Snowfields.
2 Vivillon Has A Pokeball Pattern
Vivillon is a Pokemon from the Pokemon: X/Y games for the Nintendo 3DS, with a very unique attribute. The pattern on its wings depends on where in the world the Pokemon came from. In New Pokemon Snap, it even gains a unique Pokeball pattern.
It's unclear why this Vivillon has this specific pattern. Some fans think it's because the Vivillon might have once belonged to a trainer, making a Pokeball its home. Either way, it's relatively easy to find, but the Pokeball pattern is a little bit rarer.
1 Pikachu Hangs Ten, Again
In the original Pokemon Snap one of the most iconic moments of the game was getting Pikachu to ride a surfboard. Pikachu has been able to learn Surf since the beginning of the game, and it was originally a reference to that fact.
In New Pokemon Snap, Pikachu puts aside the surfboard in favor of riding a Stunfisk. It makes for a pretty epic photo as part of the "Near The Water's Edge" request in the Beach.