On April 30, 2021, New Pokemon Snap came out on the Nintendo Switch. The video game was developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. This first-person simulator is a sequel to the original Pokemon Snap which released in 1999 on the Nintendo 64.

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In the game, the player hops in a vehicle that takes them around different environments where they snap photographs of Pokemon. Each location in the Lental region contains different species that do different things. The pictures taken are scored and there are plenty of things they may do to try to get the highest amount of points possible while exploring the world to the fullest.

8 Check The Settings

New Pokemon Snap Pikachu

By default, the game puts the player at a sensitivity level that is not too slow but not too fast, probably to target the average gamer. However, most players should crank it up to whatever speed they can manage, since Pokemon will zoom right by.

Also, the default controls may feel weird. These can be changed as well. For example, the shutter could be switched to the R button instead of the A button.

7 Use All Shots

New Pokemon Snap Tentacruel

Every round, the player gets 72 opportunities to take pictures. They might as well use them all since, the shots refresh for the next research. However, it should be noted that if all get used, then the player immediately gets sent back to the lab.

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Also, they might as well submit a photograph for each Pokemon, even if the picture is bad. Since the player gains experience regardless, there's no downside for doing this.

6 Understand Star Rating

New Pokemon Snap Sobble

Professor Mirror will determine whether a photograph is one star, two stars, three stars, or four stars. While it seems like these stars are based on the quality of the picture, the rating actually has nothing to do with that. The stars are based on the action the Pokemon is performing (or not executing) in the shot.

That being said, Professor Mirror does not exactly tell the player what pose is assigned to each of the four star ratings. To get the best photos, players often need to photograph the Pokemon in different situations. Remember to use the D-Pad to turn around quickly if one whizzes by!

5 Recognize Good Scoring

New Pokemon Snap Onix

There are six categories when it comes to the scoring system Professor Mirror follows:

  • Pose: The action the Pokemon is taking (or not taking).
  • Size: How much space the Pokemon takes up in the photograph.
  • Direction: How well the Pokemon is looking at the camera.
  • Placement: How close the Pokemon is in the center of the frame.
  • Other Pokemon: Additional points for having other species of Pokemon in the shot.
  • Background: The environment behind the Pokemon, and how pretty it is.

All of these categories come into play, and then Professor Mirror gives the player a final score as follows:

  • Bronze: 0 points to 2,999 points
  • Silver: 3,000 points to 3,499
  • Gold: 3,500 points to 3,999
  • Diamond: 4,000 points or higher

4 Press The Scanner

New Pokemon Snap Scorbunny

One of the tools in the player's arsenal is the scanner. It is used to identify unique parts of the environment, especially things they can interact with. If there are Pokemon around that the player has trouble seeing, the scanner highlights them. It displays their name and gender, as well as where they are located.

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Another useful feature of the scanner is notifying the Pokemon due to the noise that goes off when used. The Pokemon will quickly and briefly look at the camera. This is important for scoring.

3 Hurl Them Fluffruits

New Pokemon Snap Tyranitar

Another tool in the player's backpack is the Fluffruit. These are apples, but lighter, since regular old apples would likely knock many Pokemon out if pelted with one. When thrown near a Pokemon, they will usually try eating it or throwing it away.

Although these kinds of apples are floaty, hurling them at a Pokemon and making contact will sometimes cause them to get angry. They are also useful for waking up sleeping Pokemon. Fluffruits also just make some Pokemon sad.

2 Toss Those Illumina Orbs

New Pokemon Snap Vaporeon

Another tool in the player's inventory is the Illumina Orb. When a Pokemon is hit with one of them, they burst and react to execute a glowing effect. Besides just glowing, some Pokemon will perform an action after absorbing an Illumina Orb, so it is important to test them out on different species. The Crystabloom flowers react to them as well, leading to unique interactions. Here's how to unlock Illumina Orbs:

  • Yellow Illumina Orbs in Belusylva Island and Blue Illminia Orbs in Florio Island: Photograph the glowing Crystabloom in the Jungle level at night.
  • Green Illumina Orbs in Voluca Island: Shoot the glowing Crystabloom in the Sands level at night.
  • Pink Illumina Orbs in the Maricopia Islands: Take a picture of the glowing Frillish in the Undersea level.
  • Purple Illumina Orbs in Durice Island: Photograph the glowing Crystabloom in the Snowfields level at night.
  • Gold Illumina Orbs in Aurus Island: Shoot the glowing Crystabloom in the Ruins level.

1 Play That Melody Player

New Pokemon Snap Blastoise

The Melody Player is a music box that plays a song for around eight seconds (or shorter, if stopped abruptly). Players can use this as a way to wake up sleeping Pokemon gently, instead of pegging them with a Fluffruit.

Beyond waking Pokemon though, some species will actually dance along to the melody. Playing it wherever and whenever is a surefire way to test things out!

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