Metacritic Games

Pokemon Snap (Nintendo 64)

In Pokémon Snap, you're on assignment from Professor Oak, the world-famous Pokémon professor. He needs lots of photos taken on Pokémon Island, where you'll cross six fascinating environments in search of all the Pokémon you can find. Pidgey will soar over your shoulder on the Beach. Diglett will pop up in the Tunnel. A group of Charmander will run by in the Volcano. And that's only in the first three environments! Wait until you see all the lively Pokémon in the River, Cave and Valley. When you return to Professor Oak's lab, he'll score your photos based on several merits: Did you capture the Pokémon in a great pose? Does its size fill the photo frame? Is it centered within the shot? And have you snapped more of the same kind of Pokémon in the background? Taking photos on Pokémon Island is a lot of fun, but it's a true test of your photography skills, too! [Nintendo]

Nintendo
Puzzle, Simulation
Players: 1
E (Everyone)
Developer: Nintendo
Released July 1, 1999

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

77 / 100

Critic Reviews

91 Gaming Maxx
If your a Pokémaniac then this game is definitely for you. If you aren't that big on the whole Pokémon craze, then this is at least worth a rental. Very original and very fun to play.
90 TotalGames.net
Without a doubt, Pokémon Snap is a game of the highest quality and brings a new genre to the N64 … but if you hate the little creatures, we’d recommend that you give it a miss.
90 Game Critics
If it inspires you to take up photography, visit a zoo, or go on a real wild safari (not that phony Disney stuff), the experience would be far richer.
85 Electric Playground
The idea that a game can entertain by simply asking its participants to carefully observe and document the virtual world that's been created for them is quite profound. I wouldn't be surprised if Pokemon Snap becomes the first in a brand new genre.
83 Electronic Gaming Monthly
"OK, Bulbasaur, you're on the beach, you're happy...give me some frolic, Bulby!" [Jan 2004, p.189]
80 Hot Games
It's less of a game than Pokemon Stadium to be sure, but fans of the whole phenomenon will leap right to it.
80 Nintendojo
Even for non-Pokémon fanatics, this game is definitely worth a look-- if only for the strange and addictive experience of an unfolding photo-safari on a videogame console.
80 GameSpot
A refreshingly unique game … despite its ephemeral nature, Pokemon Snap is a must-buy for fans of the license and probably warrants interest from those that aren't.
80 All Game Guide
Some gamers will be quickly bored when they find out all there is to this game is snapping pictures, while others, especially younger audiences, will want to gather as many photos as possible to show their friends. Players should be warned that Pokémon Snap can be easily finished within a weekend.
80 GamePro
For Pokemon fans, this is a wonderful game; for everyone else, it's likely a waste of time.
78 GameShark
Despite the deep game play, the game life suffers a bit due to the fact that it's a rail-shooter. The tracks are always the same, and your course is always the same. More tracks than the 7 provided would have added some game play length.
78 IGN
Depth, quite frankly, is our only complaint. Had the game been longer and featured more Pocket Monsters, we would have only criticized the fact that everything runs on rails, which is not really as bothersome as one might think. Otherwise, Pokemon Snap is an addictive, surprisingly fun gem of an experience that definitely deserves a rent.
70 Nintendorks
It's not for everyone, but for the patient type (or a raving Pokémon freak) this game could be a refreshing change of pace, and give you a few solid hours of fun.
58 Game Revolution
Allowing the gamer to actually wander around Pokemon Island on their own would have added a much-needed layer of depth and exploration. It's also safe to say that the appeal of this game is very limited to Pokemon fans.
50 Gaming Age
Pokémon Snap is a poor effort on Nintendo’s part. It is completely obvious that the game was rushed in order to cash in on the Pokémon frenzy. They could have spent six more months creating some new areas and adding all the available Pokémon into it and then it would have been a much better overall game.

CLOSE THIS WINDOW

©2009 CNET Networks Inc. All rights reserved.