To add on to the recent inundation of New Pokémon Snap updates as it approaches launch, it’s been revealed that the game will feature online play on Nintendo Switch. Last week, the highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic Nintendo 64 game received a brand-new trailer along with an official release date of April 30. The game was initially revealed during a Pokémon Presents video presentation in June 2020 with a long silence between then and now, so Nintendo seems keen to make up for lost time this year.
New Pokémon Snap‘s file size and price were also discovered through the game’s official eShop listing. It has a relatively small file size of 6.8GB, especially when compared with the most recent mainline installments, Pokémon Sword & Shield, which are 9.5 GBs. New Pokémon Snap is also a fully priced game, meaning that it will be sold for $59.99.
As listed on Nintendo’s official website, New Pokémon Snap will have online gameplay of some kind. At the bottom of the game’s eShop listing, it’s noted that it will support “Online Play” and “Save Data Cloud” via Nintendo Switch Online. However, it is unclear what type of online functionalities this single-player game will have. Plenty of details about the online gameplay for New Pokémon Snap are unknown at the time of writing, but that news is sure to be cleared up soon enough.
Online play in New Pokémon Snap could entail just about anything. It could range from bona fide online multiplayer (such as snapping photos with other players) to rudimentary social functions (leaving messages for other players or being able to participate in shared events), but it could just as easily be more mundane, such as online leaderboard support. There isn’t any indication on the listing as to what this online functionality could be, but it’s worth noting that Nintendo lists New Pokémon Snap as a single-player game, making simultaneous multiplayer with an online friend or stranger less than likely.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that unique online opportunities have been ruled out as a possibility for New Pokémon Snap. Judging from what’s known about the game already, though, online co-op feels unlikely. Players shouldn’t get their hopes too high, though, as Nintendo’s reputation for completely positive online experiences is not particularly high compared to competitors PlayStation and Xbox. Regardless of online functionality, New Pokémon Snap will still likely be the single-player experience players have been waiting for since 1999.
New Pokémon Snap will be available for Nintendo Switch on April 30, 2021.
