New Pokemon Snap Solves What The Others Have Struggled With
"New Pokemon Snap" isn't trying to directly emulate the Nintendo 64 classic. In fact, the game has many improvements and differences from the original "Pokemon Snap." That being said, one of the most important changes solves an age-old problem in "Pokemon" games: size representation.
Just like some Pokemon are more powerful than others, Pokemon also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some are massive, big enough to carry trainers through open waters or strong enough to break boulders. Other Pokemon are tiny, resembling common household objects. Regardless of the diversity of Pokemon, the franchise has long had an issue showing differently-sized Pokemon in the same space together. For example, "Pokemon" games tend to render Joltik, a tiny bug, as significantly larger because otherwise, well, he'd be hard to see. "Pokemon Go" attempted to accommodate size differences by including size and weight listings in its Pokedex, but the series as a whole hasn't always portrayed Pokemon consistently. The anime, in particular, often struggles with size discrepancies.
Some fans have already noticed odd size differences in "New Pokemon Snap," including the presence of a gigantic Meganium. It's possible that the Meganium in "New Pokemon Snap" is affected by the Illumina phenomenon, which Professor Mirror diligently studies in-game. Aside from Illumina-afflicted Pokemon, which fans don't know much about just yet, it appears that most of the creatures in "New Pokemon Snap" are accurately-sized and consistently represented, at least according to the Pokedex.
Part of the fun of "New Pokemon Snap" and its predecessor is the element of exploration. Players can roam the many locations of the new Lental region to their hearts' content in "New Pokemon Snap," observing Pokemon in their natural habitats. "New Pokemon Snap" provides a safari-like experience for players who want to watch Pokemon instead of capturing or training them. Part of portraying Pokemon in a more naturalistic way, as opposed to one on one random encounters or trainer battles, involves showing Pokemon interacting with each other in a way that feels somewhat realistic.
Just as animals coexist in real life, Pokemon must live together no matter their size. Some might even form friendships. For example, the "New Pokemon Snap” official website shows a pack of Bouffalants grazing as Vivilions fly by happily. In the foreground, a Dodrio lounges comfortably, two heads fast asleep. Though the scene intends to demonstrate how to take a high ranking picture for Professor Mirror, it also shows that "New Pokemon Snap" differs from other "Pokemon" games because it's main goal is to capture pictures of Pokemon in a relaxed, natural state. To give these scenes a sense of believability, Pokemon must be proportionate, and it looks like "New Pokemon Snap" has finally managed to nail that particular aspect.
Aspiring photographers will be able to fully experience "New Pokemon Snap" when it releases on April 30 for the Nintendo Switch.