Why New Pokémon Snap Needs Shiny Pokémon | Screen Rant
Despite the fast-approaching release date of New Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo Switch, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the spin-off title. It has yet to be revealed which 200+ Pokémon will make the cut, how many levels players will be able to explore, and how long the game will actually be. However, Bandai Namco could greatly increase the lifespan of New Pokémon Snap if it includes Shiny Pokémon encounters.
New Pokémon Snap is a sequel to the original Pokémon Snap, which was released in 1999 for Nintendo 64. Pokémon Snap strayed away from the traditional method of collecting Pokémon and instead allowed players to capture them through the lens of a camera. Only 63 of the original 150 Pokémon appeared in Pokémon Snap, and later that same year, 100 new Pokémon were introduced to the franchise via Gen 2, along with the brand-new Shiny Pokémon mechanic.
Shiny hunting has become a popular hobby for Pokémon fans, and players have found some intense and obscure ways to increase their Shiny-catching odds. Some players will go as far as to Shiny-hunt Pokémon they can't catch, just to experience an encounter very few have. The addition of Shinies in New Pokémon Snap could extend the game's lifespan and draw in a wider player base.
Like any Pokémon title, New Pokémon Snap is bound to do well in terms of sales, so developers should also focus on longevity. Mainline Pokémon games have perfected a formula for replayability, allowing players to train their Pokémon in a number of ways and battle against other experienced players. For players who aren't fond of the battling scene, Shiny Pokémon provide a reason to return to older titles. The Shiny-hunting community has exploded in popularity, to the point where even niche games like Pokémon Colosseum have seen a resurgence of players. Visiting Twitch or YouTube's Pokémon categories will net players hunting for Pokémon in every generation, from Johto to Galar. Adding Shiny Pokémon to New Pokémon Snap would extend the game's lifespan by years, giving players another reason to continue to come back to the title.
The addition of Shiny Pokémon could also help the title reach a broader audience of players, as photography is not everyone's jam. Shiny hunters are usually already some of Pokémon's biggest supporters, as the hobby can be demanding and mentally taxing, so adding Shiny Pokémon may not have a massive effect on sales. However, there could be players on the fence about purchasing the game because a large portion of the Pokédex is missing. Seeing over 600 Pokémon missing from the game's roster may cause players to think there isn't enough content to justify buying New Pokémon Snap, but adding Shiny Pokémon would add 200 extra hunts to the game - and hundreds of hours of content.
Of course, New Pokémon Snap has already teased the inclusion of Illumina Pokémon, which are "shiny" in their own way. These Pokémon glow in the dark by eating a special plant native to Lental, but it looks more like a gimmick than an interesting mechanic. Hopefully, Illumina Pokémon don't take the place of Shinies, as it would be more interesting to find Shiny Pokémon living in their natural habitats.
New Pokémon Snap will come to Nintendo Switch on April 30, 2021.
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