New Features Coming In New Pokemon Snap's First Free Update

Nintendo gave fans an unexpected gift when it released a follow-up to 1999's "Pokémon Snap" with "New Pokémon Snap" last April. The new game retained the spirit of the Nintendo 64 title with a simple focus on navigating through the Pokémon world to take photos, but it included modern updates like editing and photo sharing functions to make "New Pokémon Snap" appreciably different from the original.

Considering just how much the "Pokémon" world has grown since the late '90s, getting the roster of Pokémon down from the 900 or so that exist in the universe down to the 200 that made the cut was a task in itself. With such an expansive universe, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the game to grow over time, in the same sense that gamers have become accustomed to with the regular updates to "Animal Crossing: New Horizons." Since most players can beat the game in about 10-15 hours, some fans wondered when they would have more content on the way.

That's all about to change, however, as Nintendo just revealed the first major, free-of-charge update that promises tons of new content and some fun new features, all of which arrives on August 3. Here is everything that players can expect in the first significant update for "New Pokémon Snap."

The first significant content drop for "New Pokémon Snap" is pretty impressive, especially taking into account the fact that Nintendo is offering it to all players for free. As outlined on the game's official website, the update will include three new areas, each explorable in Day and Night modes.

Aspiring Pokémon photographers will first be able to venture into the Barren Badlands located on Voluca Island. The Barren Badlands include dry desert terrain with expansive canyon features, in addition to exciting geologic features such as gas-emitting swamps and even explosive geysers, all of which appeal to different types of Pokémon.

Next, gamers can float down the Mightywide River on Belusylva Island, where they will find another canyon-like valley, this time covered in lush greenery. Making it down the river will require gamers to navigate rapids while keeping an eye out for Pokémon in the water and on the shores.

The last new explorable area added to the Lental region is called the Secret Side Path, and this section perhaps changes "New Pokémon Snap" more than anything else coming in the update. The Secret Side Path is located in the first place players explore in the game, Florio Island, but shrinks the NEO-ONE to a miniature size, making even the tiniest Pokémon, like Wurmple, appear gigantic. This area promises to offer a whole new perspective on fans' favorite Pokémon and some thrilling new photo opportunities.

While the information from Nintendo regarding the first major update for "New Pokémon Snap" is primarily focused on new areas being added to the game, it also hinted at some new features fans could expect.

Right off the bat, gamers will have 20 new Pokémon to seek out and photograph. While the complete list of additions is yet to be seen, images on the official website and footage from the trailer appear to show at least eight of the new Pokémon: Swalot, Rockruff, Tropius, Psyduck, Snorlax, Gyarados, Shroomish, and Feraligtar.

Fans can also expect some new behaviors for Pokémon added in the update and those already in the game. For example, in Barren Badlands, some Pokémon will be hiding in the cliff face or underground, while sound effects like heavy footsteps and breathing will be audible when the NEO-ONE is miniaturized on the Secret Side Path.

There will also be some new conditions and activities added to the game. When players explore the Midghtywide River, not only will they have to dodge rapids while they search for Pokémon, but they will be helping to conduct research during their trip as well. Fans can experience all this and likely much more when the first free update to "New Pokémon Snap" arrives on August 3.