New Pokemon Snapis filled with plenty of charm, providing players with in-depth looks into the behavior of hundreds of Pokemon in the wild. While many of the Pokemon from the original game are present, some have taken more of a back seat role compared to how they were back then.
With Pikachu being the main mascot of the Pokemon franchise, players can find one multiple times throughoutPokemon Snapon the Nintendo 64, as well asNew Pokemon Snapon the Nintendo Switch. How Pikachu is handled in both games however is very different, but this is due to how different the games are designed.
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TheoriginalPokemon Snaponly had 63 Pokemon, so certain Pokemon had to make quite the impression. Because of this, Pikachu had many different photo opportunities in the majority of the game’s levels. These special Pikachu moments, however, are mostly absent inNew Pokemon Snap, most likely due to how many more Pokemon are present and them all needing time to shine. It still leaves a bit of a hole in the hearts of original game players however.
Surfing Pikachu
Both the originalPokemon SnapandNew Pokemon Snaphave a beach level where players can encounter Pikachu while they comb through the sands. The new Pikachu can befed with Fluffruit, be triggered into having electricity flow through its cheeks, as well as other photo opportunities, similar to those of other Pokemon.
Pokemon Snap64 has another special thing that Pikachu can do, something that is suspiciously absent from the newer game. If players throw fruit in the right way, they can get Pikachu to ride on a surfboard, which provides a high scoring picture if taken right. This is in reference to an event Pikachu had in the originalPokemongames that could learn the move Surf. Players could additionally use it in a special minigameexclusive toPokemon Yellowknown as Pikachu’s Beach.
No matter what course level players have for the beach at day or night inNew Pokemon Snap, there is no surf board any of the Pikachu can use on the course. The presence ofAlolan Raichuon the course however is likely a reference to the original event. This is because Alolan Raichu itself is a reference to Surfing Pikachu, with its ability to surf with its tail.
Balloon Pikachu
Another biome course available in both the new and originalPokemon Snapis a cave area. The one inNew Pokemon Snaphowever doesn’t contain any Pikachu like the original, which is a shame due to yet anotherspecial Pikachubeing found here.
Balloon Pikachu is also known asFlying Pikachu. Like Surfing Pikachu, it was a special event exclusive Pikachu that had the ability to learn the HM Fly. Due to it lacking wings or any other kind of flight capabilities, Flying Pikachu had to use balloons to fly. This has since been referenced inPokemon GO,Pokemon Dash, and otherPokemonspin-off titles.
to find and photograph this Pikachu in the originalPokemon Snap, players had to look carefully for a Pikachu being attacked by a Zubat in mid-air. After rescuing it with Pester Balls, the Pikachu would suddenly get balloons to fly around with and provide players with a valuable photo.
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Riding Pikachu
New Pokemon Snaphas plenty oflegendary Pokemonscattered throughout it for players to discover on their adventures. The original legendary bird trio, however, are very noticeably absent despite their very notable roles in the original. This is very fitting with how one of the best hidden special Pikachu photos in it is related to Articuno.
After players fulfill the steps to make Balloon Pikachu appear inPokemon Snap 64, there are even more things they can do in order to trigger Pikachu ridingthe legendary bird, Articuno. As expected, this is a very high scoring photo if taken with its hidden properties often making it unknown to even veteranPokemon Snapplayers.
Once players get Balloon Pikachu, they can pop Pikachu’s balloons while positioned above the hatching Articuno. If timed right, players will be able to see Pikachu riding Articuno right behind them as they reach the Jigglypuff concert area at the end of the course. With both Articuno and Pikachu being absent from the cave course inNew Pokemon Snap, this hidden event is nowhere to be found in this game.
Replacements for the Pikachu Events
Pikachu fans likely aren’t a fan of Pikachu losing its exclusive events that were memorable to manyPokemon Snapplayers. Events similar to these however are still kind of present inNew Pokemon Snap, though. They just aren’t as noticeable at first due to them being spread between many different Pokemon, instead of just Pikachu.
As mentioned before,New Pokemon Snaphas more than double the original amount ofPokemon present in the original Nintendo 64 title. Each of these Pokemon have their own special behaviors that can be photographed, with some requiring special steps similar to the special Pikachu poses. There are additional legendary Pokemon that have their own special interactions with ordinary Pokemon in a similar vein to that of Pikachu’s interaction with Articuno. With them being more spread out, however, they are a bit less memorable than a singular Pokemon having so many different possibilities.
Despite there being good reason for Pikachu taking more of a back seat with this game, it is still very curious whyPikachu was featuredin the way it was in some of the trailers, even though its special events are no longer available. The most likely reason for this is probably the nostalgia factor helping advertise to players of the original game. Players inNew Pokemon Snaphowever can still interact with Pikachu in multiple courses with Pikachu additionally serving as the tutorial Pokemon at the game’s start. There might not be any Surfing Pikachu or Balloon Pikachu to find, but there are still plenty of other discoveries still waiting to be uncovered in the game.
New Pokemon Snapis available now on Nintendo Switch.
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