New Pokémon Snap review roundup — Here's what others are saying about the game

The game plays at just the right speed so that you're desperate to try again to get the perfect snap, but without it feeling overwhelming and absurdly complex. I will admit that for those who aren't so big on replaying levels, it may get tiring. Still, it helps that the personalities of the Pokémon really shine through, the cheeky Scorbunny, the cheerful Grookey, the bouncy Pichu; why wouldn't you want to go and spend more time with them?

New Pokemon Snap could very well be the next "chill" hit for Nintendo in the vein of last year's Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game itself has very low stakes, but there's still lots to explore and find, and it should be a great distraction for players over the rest of the spring and summer. New Pokemon Snap is an impressive re-debut for the Pokemon Snap franchise and should hopefully give Nintendo and The Pokemon Company motivation to make additional Pokemon Snap games. Less than a quarter of all Pokemon species is represented in New Pokemon Snap, so there is certainly room for more exploration, more discovery, and more photos in the future.

New Pokémon Snap delivers an experience similar to that of the original while expanding on the formula in ways that prolong the appeal of the expedition. In the two decades since the first game's release, the Pokémon world has changed in innumerable ways, but the simple appeal of immersing yourself in this universe and taking pictures has remained unchanged.

New Pokemon Snap is exactly what the name implies. It is a new Pokemon Snap, and that's it. It doesn't reinvent the gameplay, nor does it add to it or even clean it up. Quality of life issues that were present in 1999 stand proudly untouched in 2021. That being said, if you just wanted another Pokemon Snap, this is exactly that. It is significantly bigger than the original, and photo editing options in combination with Twitter and Facebook integration make it a somewhat more social experience. While it is easy to say this is the definitive Pokemon Snap experience, I can't help but find myself wanting something that truly feels new rather than simply more. New Pokemon Snap is a loyal-to-a-fault sequel, that hopefully harkens to something a bit more adventurous down the line.

It is still enjoyable, because the Pokémon themselves are so interesting to look at; it's just not wildly exciting. It's a laid-back game and one that offers many hours of gentle photographic research to anyone drawn to Pokémon's weird world – whether you're a veteran of 90s Pokémania, or a nine-year-old.