New Pokemon Snap: Release date, trailer, story, preorders & gameplay details

It may have taken over 20 years to happen, but Nintendo is finally releasing a Pokemon Snap sequel on Switch, and we now have a trailer and release date to look forward to.

Pokemon Snap first launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1999 as one of the franchise’s earliest spin-off games. Its laid-back gameplay wasn’t what fans were used to, but it still managed to gain cult status and is fondly remembered by many gamers to this day.

Because of this, players have spent the last two decades campaigning for a sequel. It seems Nintendo has finally listened, as a sequel is coming to Switch in 2021, and it’s looking pretty incredible.

We’ve rounded up all the details we can find about the upcoming sequel including the release date, a new trailer, and what players can expect from the tropical Lental region.

New Pokemon Snap release date

Pokemon fans will no doubt be thrilled with how the sequel is coming along. Just by the trailer alone, the graphics looked to be an improvement on Pokemon Sword and Shield, and the gameplay seems fresh yet familiar.

Fortunately, there won’t be too long to wait for the new title to arrive, as it will be released exclusively for Nintendo Switch on April 30, 2021, and the game is available to pre-order right now.

New Pokemon Snap preorders

The title is also available now for pre-order on sites such as Amazon, Best Buy, and GAME. For those in the UK, Amazon’s site also discounts the price by £5, throwing in a fantastic double-sided poster, alongside a sticker sheet.

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Without any special deals for US players, the game will cost you $59.99 to preorder at all stockists. For UK players, the average price is £49.99, but the Amazon version chimes in at just £44.99. Looking for further reductions? The Game Collection stocks the same deal as Amazon, yet even cheaper still, clocking in at a low £42.95.

You can keep up to date with the best prices and any pre-order bonuses you can get with our New Pokemon Snap pre-order guide.

New Pokemon Snap trailers

The upcoming Pokemon Snap sequel is, of course, inspired by the classic Nintendo 64 title, so it looks like it’s going to follow a very similar gameplay style – although with much-improved graphics, of course.

A number of teasers and trailers have been released so far, all of which give us a better idea of what to expect when the game finally drops.

New Pokemon Snap release trailer

The release trailer below shows off the lush island locations you’ll be visiting during the game, as well as a few of the more than 200 Pokemon you can take photographs of including Grookey, Heracross, and Pichu.

It ends with an encounter with a giant Meganium, the Grass-type Pokemon that arrived in Gen 2. Shining with a bright aura, it will no doubt be linked to the Illumina phenomenon at the heart of the game.

New Pokemon Snap overview trailer

The overview trailer gives us a bit more insight into the inner workings of this new iteration, giving trainers a guided tour of the Lental region. There’s also more information about the NEO-ONE vehicle and the photography mechanism.

With new features allowing you to edit your photos, scrapbook them and record Pokemon behavior, it’s a very modern take on an iconic classic.

What is New Pokemon Snap?

Just like the original Nintendo 64 game, the game gives Trainers a break from catching and battling Pokemon. Instead, they’ll spend their time traveling around wild locations to capture their favorite creatures on camera and fill out their Photodex.

The sequel takes place in the Lental region, which is made up of several unknown islands to visit. Using the NEO-ONE travel pod, players will explore beaches, jungles, and deserts while uncovering the mystery of the Illumina phenomenon alongside Professor Mirror.

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Photographs taken by the player will be evaluated by the Professor and scored based on “the subjects’ poses, how large they appear, how directly they’re facing the camera and where they fall in frame”.

Unlike the original game, which saw fans take on the role of a character called Todd Snap, it seems that you can choose a male or female original character like the mainline Pokemon games.

New Pokemon Snap Screenshots

Below are a few of the best screenshots from the Pokemon Presents trailer that give you a glimpse into the Pokemon Snap universe, including the updated graphics and the photography mode.

New Pokemon Snap confirmed Pokemon

Over 100 Pokemon have been confirmed to be in the game so far. While the first game focused only on creatures from Gen 1, with a total of 63 creatures, the new title has ‘mon from across all generations.

These are all the confirmed Pokemon appearing in New Pokemon Snap:

Kanto (Gen I)

• Bulbasaur
• Venusaur
• Squirtle
• Blastoise
• Caterpie
• Metapod
• Pidgeot
• Arbok
• Pikachu
• Meowth
• Machamp
• Tentacruel
• Dodrio
• Onix
• Exeggutor
• Kangaskhan
• Starmie
• Pinsir
• Magikarp
• Lapras
• Eevee
• Vaporeon

Johto (Gen II)

• Meganium
• Hoothoot
• Ariados
• Chinchou
• Lanturn
• Pichu
• Bellossom
• Sudowoodo
• Aipom
• Wooper
• Quagsire
• Espeon
• Murkrow
• Qwilfish
• Heracross
• Corsola
• Octillery
• Mantine
• Tyranitar
• Lugia
• Celebi

Hoenn (Gen III)

• Torchic
• Wurmple
• Beautifly
• Lotad
• Shiftry
• Tailow
• Wingull
• Pelipper
• Shroomish
• Slaking
• Sharpedo
• Wailmer
• Wailord
• Trapinch
• Flygon
• Cacnea
• Zangoose
• Seviper
• Cradily
• Kecleon
• Clamperl
• Luvdisc

Sinnoh (Gen IV)

• Torterra
• Starly
• Bidoof
• Brifblim
• Hippowdon
• Skorupi
• Finneon
• Lumineon
• Tangrowth
• Yanmega

Unova (Gen V)

• Stoutland
• Liepard
• Unfezant
• Garbodor
• Ducklett
• Swanna
• Deerling
• Sawsbuck
• Emolga
• Alomomola
• Frillish
• Stunfisk
• Bouffalant
• Mandibuzz
• Bunnelby

Kalos (Gen VI)

• Vivillion
• Florges
• Pancham
• Espurr
• Inkay
• Clawitzer
• Heliolisk
• Dedenne
• Trevenant

Alola (Gen VII)

• Alolan Raichu
• Primarina
• Pikipek
• Toucannon
• Crabrawler
• Cutiefly
• Lycanroc (Midday Forme)
• Lycanroc (Midnight Forme)
• Mareanie
• Morelull
• Shiinotic
• Bewear
• Bounsweet
• Comfey
• Golisopod
• Sandygast
• Pyukumku
• Minior

Galar (Gen VIII)

• Grookey
• Scorbunny
• Sobble

These are all the Pokemon confirmed to appear in the Snap sequel based on promotional information and footage released so far, but it’s expected that many more will be unveiled when the game arrives.

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We’ll keep this article updated as more Pokemon Snap information gets announced, so make sure you check back soon.