Pokemon Snap 2 Requires a "unique twist" to be Made

Pokemon Sword and Shield is the next huge entry in the long-running core Pokemon series. Despite the game already confirmed not to have all the Pokemon in the current lineup many are looking forward to the title. Outside from the core series, the N64 classic Pokemon Snap has been one of the most requested titles to get a sequel within the Pokemon gaming franchise. During an interview with Pokemon Sword and Shield's producer Junichi Masuda and director Shigeru Ohmori with GamesCentral at Metro, we finally got an answer about a sequel. And it's not a good answer for fans hoping for a Pokemon Snap 2.

In the interview, it was stated by Junichi Masuda that they are waiting for something unique to create a new installment.

GC: If I could just end with two quick requests, one of which I think you get a lot and one of which I’m sure you don’t. Firstly, I can’t believe it’s 2019 and there still isn’t a Pokémon Snap 2.

Both: [laughs]

GC: You had the Wii U GamePad and now you’ve got Nintendo Labo VR, which has an actual physical camera, why is there not a Pokémon Snap 2?! I’ll pre-order it right now if you agree to make it!

Both: [laughs]

JM: [laughs] All I can say is that I don’t think we can just make the same thing again. So we’d have to come up with a very unique twist on this if we do make another one.

The interviewer did state that Nintendo has provided various ways to use a camera within a game. This includes the Wii U's gamepad and the Nintendo Switch LABO set. But guess this isn't enough.

My guess is that despite the cult following there isn't enough demand for a Pokemon Snap 2. The first game did sell well, exceeding 1.5 million copies by 1999 but the game was very short and included only 63 of the 151 Pokemon that existed then.

Having a new installment would require a lot more Pokemon to be animated in unique ways, far beyond the animations found in the core series. And considering that Game Freak's reasoning for not including every Pokemon in Sword and Shield is animation development perhaps there needs to be greater demand for Pokemon Snap 2 to become a prudent investment.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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