Pokemon Snap (Hints & tips)


  • Freeze Pokémon:

    When you see a Pokémon, throw a pester ball right at it. The Pokémon will be stunned for a while, so you can go right up to it and get a good picture. This is hard to do, so practice.

  • Perfect Pose score for Mew:

    When Mew flies by, hit him with a pester ball and Mew will spin around. Then snap him.

  • Close-up pic of Lapras:

    At the beginning of the Beach, look for Lapras out at sea. Take at least 3 pictures of him. Then near the first Meowth chasing Pidgey, take another 3 pics of Lapras. Then look to your right just before you get to Kangaskahn for a close-up of Lapras.

  • Fighting Magmars:

    Throw an apple between the two Magmars near the end of the volcano to make them fight... HOT SHOT!!

  • Ghost Photos:

    In the first tunnel, take pictures of the purple mist that floats around. When they develop you'll have a picture of Haunter.

  • Better pic of Sandslash/dancing Gravelers:

    Go to the place in the valley where there are two Geodudes on one mountain to your left. Throw pester balls at them (if one of them gets back on the mountain this trick won't work). A Graveler will fall down and a Sandslash will pop out. Further down the river when you almost stop and a Staryu is flying around, play the Pokéflute and turn left to see 3 dancing Gravelers.

  • Group of Charmanders:

    To find a group of Charmander, go to to the place where you can find the Moltres egg. The pelt the egg with Pokémon food, and if you've received pester balls, throw those. Then you'll see a Charmander call his buddies. From then on, it's a waiting game. After the Charmander come, take a picture and you'll receive bonus points from Professor Oak.

  • Regular colored Porygon:

    In the river/jungle level look for the tip of the Porygon's mouth against a hill. Then throw a pester ball at him. If he pops out, hit him 2-3 times with an apple to see him change to his true colors: pink and blue.

  • Get snaps on all Pokémon:

    If you can get a shot of Snorlack and Pikachu at the same time, take the picture and you'll earn a snapshot of all the Pokémon instantly.
    Or try this: while taking a picture of a Pokémon hold down A, B, R, Z, and then press all the C buttons.

  • Posing Pikachus:

    To see Pikachu rolling on a ball go to the Tunnel. When you start the stage take pictures of the Pikachu immediately. He should move farther down. Keep taking his picture. He will stop and jump on a rolling Electrode.
    To see Speed Pikachu go to the River. At the very end on your left you should see Pikachu hiding behind a tree. Throw an apple at Pikachu and it should fall down. Then he will run back and forth as the Speed Pikachu.
    To see Pikachu surfing, go to the Beach. Throw apples at the first Pikachu you see. Throw the apples on the right side of your tracks. There will be a surf board there so try to lead him there. If you do it right he will surf.
    To see Pikachu on a stump go to the Beach stage. The first time you see Meowth chasing a pidgey out of the long grass, throw pester balls into the long grass to get Scyther. After you get Scyther, 2 Pikachus should come out to the stump on your left side. Lead them with apples and play the Pokéflute.
    In the cave, towards the end, you will see a zubat carrying Pikachu. Hit the zubat with apples and pester balls until he drops Pikachu. Pikachu will sprout balloons and fly away.
    Save Pikachu from the Zubat in the Cave and awaken Articuno from his egg by playing the Pokéflute. When you get to the end of the level next to where Jigglypuff's stage is, turn around and you'll see Pikachu riding on Articuno.

  • Best scores for Pikachu and Mew:

    The highest Pikachu you can get is Pikachu on Articuno in the cave and that is 8,000 points. The highest you can get on Mew is 9,800.

  • Save the Jigglypuff:

    On Level 5 there will be a Koffing chasing a Jigglypuff in three different spots. Throw Pokémon food or pester balls at the Koffing to make them stop. If you free all 3 Jigglypuff they will sing for you at the end of the level. (Don't play your flute while they are singing.)

  • Snap Blastoise:

    Once you have beaten the game, go to the level where you see about 7 squirtle shells on the water. Throw as many pester balls as you can, and Blastoise will jump out of the water with some squirtles.

  • Evolutions:

    MAGNETON = To get Magneton, throw Pokémon food toward the three Magnemite. If they're close enough they'll link up into Magneton.
    DUGTRIO = When you see Diglett, take a picture of it. Take another picture of Diglett when Pikachu moves. Do this step again. Dugtrio will appear after the third Diglett.
    SLOWBRO = Lead Slowpoke with the Pokémon food toward the wooden Shellder sign. Slowpoke will stick his tail in the water and evolve.
    STARMIE = Take a picture of Staryu when it's facing you. If you're lucky, Staryu's jewel will change color. Staryu starts to follow you and jumps into the whirlpool. You have to quickly take a picture of Starmie before it disappears.
    MUK = Get the second Grimer to face you, then take some pictures. When you see the three Dittos pretending to be Bulbasaur, throw a bunch of pester balls at the Grimer on the left.
    CHARIZARD = Go to the volcano level and find Charmeleon. Wait until it's blocking your way, then throw an apple at it. It will fall into the lava and evolve into Charizard. If you want Charizard to throw fire, just toss an apple at it.
    VICTREBELL = Similar to Charizard, only knock the Weepinbell jumping around the cave pool with a pester ball.

  • Signs:

    NOTE: You must first beat the Valley level to use these.

    Beach sign = When you get to Pikachu turn to the right and hold the Z button. When the RED light turns on you will see some stones shaped like a krabby. Snap a picture of it.
    Tunnel sign = When you reach the Pikachu close to an egg, lure Pikachu over to the egg. Then play the Pokéflute. Pikachu will do an electric shock. Zapados will burst out of the egg. Snap some pics of it. Zapdos will turn on a machine. LATER, after you pass the 2 Electabuzz you will see a large shadow. Take a picture of it.
    Volcano sign = At the beginning of the level look to the right when you see the first volcano. Throw a pester ball in it. If you see a face come out of the volcano, take a picture of it.
    River sign = When you get to the Vileplume, play the Pokéflute and the Vileplume will start dancing. If you look up you will see a giant Cubone. Take a picture of it while the Vileplume is dancing and the smoke is out of the way.
    Cave sign = When you get a little past the Weepinbell turn to the left and you will see some stars the pictures of those stars. Take a picture of a star not in between two stars. NOTE: For best results take a picture of the brightest star close to the middle.
    Valley sign = In the very beginning you will see a big mountain. Take a picture of the middle head. You can't miss this one.

  • The Secret Switch:

    You must be on the River stage to do this trick:

    1. Go through the Metepod Tunnel.
    2. Look on the right side.
    3. Look for something going up and down on the rocks (it is the same color).
    4. There will be 3 of them; throw a pester ball at the last one.
    5. A Porygon will pop out and jump on a putten.

    You can also take a pic of Porygon 2.

  • Mythical Birds:

    Each of the three birds will be in an egg.
    The first Mythical bird is Moltres (he is in the Volcano level). He will be easy to find since his egg is blocking your path. all you have to do is hit the egg with Pokémon food or pester balls and a Moltres will emerge from the hot lava.
    To get Zapdos you must lure Pikachu to the egg sitting in the tunnel, then play a Pokéflute. If you did it right Pikachu will hit the egg and he will shoot the egg out. The egg will blow up, revealing Zapdos.
    To get Articuno, play your Pokéflute when you see the Jynx and the egg.

  • Rainbow Cloud Stage:

    To get to the secret level (Level #7 The Rainbow Cloud Stage) take pictures of these following landmarks on all of the 6 stages:

    Stage #1 - The Kingler rock formation is on the left after you pass Pikachu's surfboard.
    Stage #2 - The Pinsir shadow will appear some time after you release the Zapdos from the beginning of the level. You will see the Pinser shadow on the right after you pass the second Electabuzz.
    Stage #3 - The Koffing cloud appears on the left at the very beginning of the level.
    Stage #4 - The Cubone rock formation will be above the Vileplume you see (to see the Vileplume, play the Pokéflute in front of a large purple bag you see near the beginning of the level.)
    Stage #5 - Mewtwo's energy form will appear on the left soon after you see the Weepinbell.
    Stage #6 - The Dugtrio Rocks are right in front of you when you start the level.