Update [Fri 24th Jun, 2022 02:05 BST]: Pokémon Snap has now been made available to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers. You'll be able to access it via the Nintendo 64 games library.
Original article [Fri 17th Jun, 2022 02:05 BST]: Nintendo has announced the N64 release Pokémon Snap will be coming to its Switch Online service next week on June 24.
This game was originally created by the Kirby developers HAL Laboratory and released on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Players take control of Todd Snap, a photographer who is tasked with taking photos of over 60 different Pokémon by Professor Oak.
Pokémon Snap happens to be the last game in the previously confirmed line up for Switch Online's N64 library. Japan will also be getting Custom Robo and the sequel at some point, but Nintendo has not yet revealed what else we can expect from the N64 service in the future.
Apart from Pokémon Snap, the most recent N64 release for the Switch Online service was Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards in May. Pokémon Snap was previously released on the Wii Shop in 2007 and the Wii U eShop in 2016.
Are you excited about this classic N64 release returning? Leave a comment down below.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Comments 93
The final NSO Expansion Pack game of the batch announced in the September 2021 Direct.
Calling the "overpriced, I'll emulate it" comments...
(Including mine haha)
@Grumblevolcano maybe I’m mistaken but I thought they also announced DK64?
@theberrage Nope. I'm not even sure what it would take for DK64 to get released.
Wishful thinking I guess!
DK64, Smash, and Pokemon Stadium are all I ask for.
Oh snap.
Does make me wonder if we'll get any of the main Pokémon games from the GameBoy on this service if/when NSO GB(A) becomes a thing. I'd play the heck out of those.
Me and the boys playing it on Vita instead (it’s free and runs smoothly)
@MamaSelkie DK64 was on Wii U Virtual Console, so it could definitely come to Switch as well.
@dkc_fan Donkey Kong 64 was on the Wii U also put on both Pokemon Stadiums as well.
Edit: to complete the Zelda games add OoT - Master Quest as a Special Edition!
@MamaSelkie Probably not as much as Banjo-Kazooie.
What comes next is obviously the rest of the old N64 virtual console lineup:
-Wave Race 64
-Excitebike 64
-Donkey Kong 64
-Mario Party 2
-1080 Snowboarding
-Super Smash Brothers
With some luck, Ogre Battle 64, Harvest Moon and Bomberman.
A game that can be as short as any of the DDI games on Wii, but also far more enjoyable (and stable) than any of those.
EDIT: It should be noted, Japan is still missing the previously announced Custom Robos. Either we're getting those in the west as well or we get something else in their place.
@Yomerodes hopefully all 3 Bomberman games Hero, 1&2. At this rate we will have them on the next system maybe... 🤔
Out of the next batch I really mostly just want Mario Party 3 and Harvest Moon 64. Don't expect either though.
Give me Conker’s Bad Fur Day you cowards!
I'm just waiting for Ogre Battle 64 and Harvest Moon 64.
.......and then they announce the NSO Expansion Pack PLUS....featuring Gameboy and Advance games....for $120.
Gen 1 is the still the goat 🐐 🙌 😤
If nintendo announces gb/gba games for nso, will they make game boy and gba shaped controllers? 🤣
@Moonlessky They’d just show the SNES and GameCube controllers in use for those systems because Super Game Boy and Game Boy Player.
HYFR - now just let me buy the controller
Had a lot of fun with this game back in the day. Currently playing the new one that was released on Switch.
Can’t wait for the game to come out with a glitch that completely freezes the entire app if you take a picture of a jigglypuff from a certain distance that they’ll have to patch 2 weeks later
Instead of announcing an old game for rent, Nintendo needs to make some new games and sell them.
Ooo, I loved the new Pokémon snap, so I’m keen on giving the original a go!
I still don't care to rent my games.
Smash Bros, Road Rash 64, Shadows Of the Empire, Goldeneye, Conkers, Pokemon Stadium, Destruction Derby and Rogue Squadron
What we want but won't get:
Battle for Naboo
Blast Corps
Body Harvest
Goldeneye
Jet Force Gemini
Perfect Dark
Rocket Robot on Wheels
Rogue Squadron
Shadows of the Empire
Space Station Silicon Valley
Tetrisphere
What we'll get:
1080 Snowboarding
Donkey Kong 64
Mario Golf
Mario Tennis
Pilotwings 64
Smash Bros
Wave Race 64
Hey this is coming out a day before my parents anniversary!
So in a way this is kinda like a early anniversary gift for me!
(Context, on my parents anniversary we give each other gifts)
Hopefully the Direct announces GB/GBA games. I have little love for N64 as it was before my time and only a few of the games aged well
Really been wanting to play the original Smash Bros for a long time now, missed my chance back in the Wii days I guess.
Mischeif makers and snowboard kids thanks. Splash a bit of wave race 64 and dk 64 and i will be a happy man. Oh and tooie
Omg space station... i so forgot about that amazing game. Gimmi gimmi gimmi
No mention of NEW snap?
Huh...
I have the original N64 version but admittedly the thought of playing it on the go is appealing to me. Next please add Pokèmon Stadium 1 and 2 and then I'll be impressed.
@Joeynator3000 Oh God don't be giving them any ideas. It's bad enough Sony did it, I'd hate to see it happen here. I know it's all optional but still.
@Hero-of-WiiU Compared to Smash games now I really don't think you're missing out on that much really. I have the N64 version of it but I haven't played it in donkey's years.
NSO- N64 needs to also add...
.. Expeditiously at that please.
… Wun can only hope.
This game doesn’t look anything like Wave Race
Give me Wave Race 64 you cowards!
Never played this, looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about.
Never played Snap so really looking forward to this but for the love of all that is holy give us Wave Race already.
@dkc_fan It would be interesting to see how they would make Pokémon Stadium work, unless.... we're getting GB games added... Wishful thinking!
I'm definitely going to give Pokémon Snap a go, I've been enjoying the new instalment as well. Such a relaxing and fun game!
@sketchturner speak for yourself but that bottom list is a lot better
@wuntyme8 Mario Tennis is already on NSO.
@MamaSelkie
Why should it "take" anything? It's a Nintendo game and they can add it whenever they want.
I found Pokémon Snap (which I played on Wii back in the day) to be surprisingly good as I wasn't expecting such... personality (for wanting of a better term) from an N64 game.
But with the Switch sequel out in the wild, this wouldn't compare favourably nowadays. These earlier instalments of long-time franchises really should just be a complementary bonus with the newer games as they'd hardly occupy any space at all and provide some extra value to the package (while perhaps also being available to "rent").
Yay! Will be interesting to compare with the New entry, it's been a while.
@Hero-of-WiiU
Played it again in a bar a few days ago.
For me it's the purest Smash experience.
@wuntyme8
I always felt that, whilst not a masterpiece, Earthworm Jim 3D was unfairly maligned.
Mystical Ninja will convince me I think.
Add Pokemon Puzzle League and the Cruis'n games to the list everybody else is creating in the comments section.
I keep hearing that there are not many games that can be added for the Nintendo 64, but the NES/SNES games have shown us that they are not afraid to put obscure games on the service.
I've been holding off getting New Pokemon Snap until this came out on NSO so I'm incredibly excited for this. Can't wait to see what all the hype is about!
@solarwolf07 its under 25bux for 1year, 2,2bux monthly
and you get discount if you already have the another nso....
@sketchturner
I don’t know who ‘we’ is there but on balance I’d rather have the bottom list
Yea yea! Nice to have access to the original (without digging out my N64) alongside the new one.
Great news, when they first announced all the N64 games coming to NSO, this is one of the ones I was looking forward too the most.
Admittedly, I've never played the game in full, I only ever played it at a kiosk, inside of Blockbuster.
Ok cool now give us smash bros, Banjo tooie, Mega Man 64, Smash Bros, Conker even tho that will never happen
Hybrid Heaven, Mega Man 64, and Mischief Makers is all I ask for. If Tooie, Jet Force Gemini, Wave Race, etc., then great.
@SteamEngenius Same. Nintendo will always face a problem from people like us. I wouldn't be surprised if they're banking on the incoming generations who will grow up thinking that renting all your media is just par for the course, and I suppose it will be.
Awesome! I'm excited to revisit this one again. I skipped the new one, maybe this will reignite something and lead me to picking up the new one.
@electrolite77 @Bustacap
I meant no insult to the games on the bottom list. They're terrific games. I'm just saying that a lot of great games seem to have no possible chance of release.
As much as I love Stadium 1 & 2, aside from if the mini games had online, they're not as fun using the rental Pokémon. It's important that they exist but they're also really bad. Won't be nearly as good w/o GB games & Expansion Pak compatibility. But I'd love to see Conker's Bad Fur Day, Smash 64, & GoldenEye.
@Franklin
I really admire the style and sound of the game the most a bit more cartoony than the later entry’s.
@shonenjump86 I'm curious to get back into the original. I liked New Pokemon Snap, but man it felt like there was a ton of grinding
@Moistnado didn't Mario Strikers just been released a few days ago?
@Zequio Mario strikers is not a proper new game. It's a filler, low effort project, that recycles a bunch of old assets and re-encacts an old GameCube game.
@wuntyme8 I like your list but Turok is already available for the Switch. And it's a very well done port.
@geiseldiesel I haven’t gotten too far in New Pokémon Snap, but I am enjoying it so far.
Whoa, slow down, Nintendo! You're being way too generous with the one-game-per-month business model!
Xbox - no exclusives in 2022 - within their sub model that is based on exclusives day one as their big draw.
Sony - rebrand now - charge over double remove half the content and add 12 retro games in the top most expensive tier.
Nintendo - add one game a month to their premium tier.
Are they having a competition/race to the bottom. Who can make the most money whilst insulting its user base?
I own all three so feel triple insulted.
I played this on my N64 to cheer myself up over the disappointment of Sonic Origins. I still can't get over just how bad the new music sounds when compared to the original.
Really hoping we get one of the wrestling games, like No Mercy or Wrestling 2k. I'd even take WCW Revenge or WWF Warzone.
I think the service is looking quite solid now, with the DLC drops and all these classic games, it's really a no brainer now.
@Stocksy I dumped Xbox and it was the best thing I ever did.
@shoeses Idk about that. I managed to beat both Stadium 1 and 2 100% using Rentals and I enjoyed them a lot more. I like the strategy that comes with using Rentals unlike the powerhouses you can use from your games.
@NotoriousWhiz you just reminded me of that. Years ago after I heard about 1 & 2 coming to switch, I was hoping for Turok Evolution, but it never came. Now the physical copies of Turok are around 100-140$. Crazy
Really wish the two best N64 games ever Goldeneye and No Mercy could be possible
@Gravitron I would like to see bomberman hero and snowboard kids myself
And that's the last of the initial batch. Makes you wonder how they'll announce the forthcoming games. Will they shadowdrop it like the other NSO services? Announce a new batch in an upcoming Direct? Or maybe throw a curveball and announce the rumoured Game Boy/Advance service? It's exciting stuff to speculate about.
@Grumblevolcano
Sources????????
@Gravitron Goldeneye could work, No Mercy is sadly impossible because of Chris Benoit being on the roster. :/
@Axecon
This but GameCube games instead of GB/GBA games, because I’d much rather play Mario Kart Double Dash!! or Kirby’s Air Ride on my Switch than their handheld counterparts. 💯
@sullivans2004 there is no source because it didnt happen
Since we're basically done with the batch announced in 2021's September direct (as mentioned by another person), I wonder if we'll get DK64...
Goldeneye Online for NSO Expansion Pack is my prediction.
@BASEDSAKRI I've never heard of Bomberman Hero somehow. Looks awesome. I loved Bomberman 64 that game ruled, surprised I didn't know there were other Bomberman games on 64
@Gravitron one of the best soundtracks in a game ever
i only want Hey You Pikachu, can't believe how much it costed back then. Now looks like a really dated mobile f2p game
@RubyCarbuncle They're bad, but it's far from impossible. But an easy example is that the Kadabra is better than the Alakazam because the Alakazam's only Psychic attack is Psywave.
@shoeses Oh for sure they're bad, definitely can't argue there and the move pools...lol don't get me started on those. I like the strategy but there are certain aspects of playing with Rentals I don't like.
@RubyCarbuncle The point I was getting at it is it very doable with the rentals, but it's more fun & feels a bit more balanced if you have your own. It'd also be worth it if they do go the extra mile and add online, so you can Battle with your RBY & GSC 'Mons with sprites or the 3D models.
@Franklin mmm…. It doesn’t stand up that well i’m afraid.. always ahad trouble emulating this game, but niw i played it…if you’ve seen the lush switch environments this seems like an early prototype, nice curiosity but not really worth your time..
Tap here to load 93 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...