Pokémon Snap vs New Pokémon Snap: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Two Pokémon snapshot games, 22 years apart, and the answer to which one you should buy hinges on a single question most buyers never think to ask.
Buy New Pokémon Snap if you want 241 Pokémon, 30 routes, and free post-launch DLC on a current console. Buy the original Pokémon Snap (N64, 1999) if you already subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack, because the game is included at no extra cost.
At a glance
| Feature | Pokémon Snap (N64, 1999) | New Pokémon Snap (Switch, 2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Release date (NA) | Sep 25, 1999 | Apr 30, 2021 |
| Platform | Nintendo 64 (also NSO N64) | Nintendo Switch |
| Pokémon photographable | 63 | 241 (incl. 3 free DLC updates) |
| Courses / routes | 7 | 30 (incl. DLC) |
| MSRP at launch | $49.99 | $59.99 (pokemon.com) |
| Observed price (Oct 2026) | $15–$143 | $30–$60 |
| Professor rating system | Oak's single-score % system | 1–4 star behavioral ratings |
| Online photo sharing | No | Yes |
On this page 5 sections
Where New Pokémon Snap wins
241 Pokémon and free DLC depth
At launch, New Pokémon Snap shipped with 214 photographable species across 24 routes. Three free updates released between August 2021 and February 2022 expanded the roster to 241 Pokémon and added 6 new routes, bringing the total to 30.
The original Snap covered 63 Pokémon across 7 courses. That was a substantial portion of the 151-strong Kanto Pokédex in 1999. In 2026 it represents less than 8% of the total Pokédex, which now exceeds 1,000 species.
Behavioral 4-star photography
New Snap replaced Professor Oak's single-percentage score with a 4-star system built around Pokémon behavior. Each species has four distinct "Discovery" poses tied to actions: a sleeping Pokémon earns one star, while the same species caught mid-attack, eating an Illumina Orb, or reacting to a specific melody earns two, three, or four. The system rewards observation over luck and gives completionists a defined target for every Pokémon on every route.
The original's scoring is simpler and arguably more forgiving. Professor Oak rates your best photo on size, pose, technique, placement and whether other Pokémon appear. It's faster to understand and faster to complete.
Online sharing and replay value
New Pokémon Snap lets you share photos with other players and view global submissions ranked by community votes. For a game about photography this adds a genuine long-tail loop the original never had.
Where the original Snap wins
Nintendo Switch Online includes it
This is the factor most buyers overlook.
Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack tier includes a growing library of N64 games, and Pokémon Snap is on the list. If you already pay for NSO + Expansion Pack (or a family plan that includes it), the original game costs you nothing extra. Buying a cartridge at $15–$25 for a game you can already play makes sense only if you want the physical copy for display or collection reasons.
Tight, completable in one session
The original Snap runs about 3–5 hours to first completion. Seven courses, 63 Pokémon, and a clean ending. That makes it an easy recommendation for younger players, for gift-givers who want something with a clear finish line, or for anyone who has tried New Snap's much longer route list and bounced off the open-endedness.
Collector and nostalgia value
A cartridge-only copy in good condition was selling for $15–$25 USD observed October 2026. A boxed, complete-in-box copy commands significantly more.
If you collect N64 hardware and want the Pokémon section of your shelf complete, this is one of the easier pieces to find at a fair price. See our Pokémon handheld and retro collector guide for context on N64 and GBA Pokémon game values.
The deciding question
If you own a Nintendo Switch and want the most Pokémon photography for your money, New Pokémon Snap is not a close call.
241 Pokémon versus 63. 30 routes versus 7. Free DLC already included.
Used copies run $30–$47 USD (observed October 2026), which is competitive with what a complete-in-box N64 Snap commands. If your question is simply "which game is better value in 2026," New Snap wins on content alone.
The original makes sense in three cases. First, you already have NSO Expansion Pack and want to play it tonight without a purchase.
Second, you collect N64 hardware and the physical cartridge belongs on your shelf. Third, you are buying for a younger child who needs a shorter, simpler experience with a defined ending.
For everyone else, the $47 Switch copy covers every need.
One thing neither game replaces: if you want to own and display the Pokémon franchise's full games output, both belong in the collection. You can browse what is currently listed by independent shops at our Pokémon Switch games buying guide.
FAQ
Is Pokémon Snap on Nintendo Switch?
The original N64 game is available through Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack tier, which includes a library of N64 titles. New Pokémon Snap is a full Nintendo Switch retail game released April 30, 2021.
How many Pokémon are in New Pokémon Snap?
New Pokémon Snap launched with 214 photographable species and expanded to 241 through three free DLC updates released between August 2021 and February 2022, per the Serebii New Pokémon Snap pages.
Is New Pokémon Snap worth buying in 2026?
Yes, at $30–$47 for a used copy (observed October 2026) the game delivers strong value: 30 routes, 241 Pokémon, free DLC already included, and online photo sharing. The content volume is roughly 4 times the original.
What is the difference between Pokémon Snap and New Pokémon Snap?
The original (N64, 1999) covers 63 Kanto Pokémon across 7 courses with Professor Oak's percentage scoring. New Snap (Switch, 2021) covers 241 Pokémon from multiple generations across 30 routes, uses a 4-star behavioral discovery system, and added free DLC post-launch. Platforms, scale, and photo mechanics are all different.
Is the N64 Pokémon Snap cartridge expensive?
Cartridge-only copies sell for $15–$25 USD at most used game shops (observed October 2026). Complete-in-box versions with the original manual and box command more. Condition and seller vary widely, so compare a few listings before buying.
Browse both games and everything in between at the Pokémon video games collection on DexHaul, where independent shops list tested, in-stock copies across Nintendo 64, Game Boy, DS, and Switch.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon Switch and retro games from independent shops.