Behind the scenes: How New Pokemon Snap carefully selected its 200+ creatures through ecological research
The Art of Pokemon Selection
New Pokemon Snap’s development team, led by director Haruki Suzaki, approached creature selection with scientific precision. Rather than simply picking popular monsters, they conducted extensive research into habitats and behaviors to create authentic ecosystems.
The selection process involved balancing fan expectations with ecological realism, resulting in a carefully curated roster that tripled the original game’s offerings while maintaining biological coherence.
From 63 to 200+: Evolving the Roster
While the 1999 original featured just 63 creatures, the Switch sequel more than triples that number with over 200 Pokemon. This expansion introduced new gameplay elements like Fluffruit (interactive food items) and Illumina Orbs (special lighting effects) that required particular creature behaviors.
Nintendo / HAL Laboratory
The original’s limited roster reflected technical constraints of the N64 era.
Ecosystem Design Philosophy
“The selection of Pokemon was truly hard,” Suzaki told Game Informer. His team prioritized creating believable ecosystems where creatures would naturally interact. This meant considering:
- Climate compatibility (water types near oceans, ice types in cold areas)
- Food chain relationships (predator-prey dynamics)
- Social behaviors (pack animals vs solitary creatures)
They even consulted Game Freak, the Pokemon series creators, to verify behavioral accuracy.
Photography-Focused Behaviors
Unlike mainline Pokemon games, Snap requires creatures to perform photogenic actions. The team designed unique behaviors specifically for great shots:
The Pokemon Company / Bandai Namco
- Dramatic poses during territorial displays
- Playful interactions with Fluffruit items
- Reactions to environmental changes (weather, time of day)
These considerations added another layer to the selection process beyond simple habitat matching.
Player Tips for the Lental Region
To make the most of New Pokemon Snap’s carefully crafted ecosystems:
- Observe first: Watch Pokemon routines before shooting
- Time your shots: Many special behaviors occur at specific times
- Experiment with items: Different Pokemon react uniquely to Fluffruit
- Replay levels: New interactions appear as you progress
The game releases April 30 on Nintendo Switch, offering countless hours of photographic exploration.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » New Pokemon Snap director reveals how Pokemon were chosen for the game Behind the scenes: How New Pokemon Snap carefully selected its 200+ creatures through ecological research