Unlocking Courses

Welcome, aspiring Pokémon photographer! To truly become a Pokémon Snap master, you'll need to explore every corner of Pokémon Island. Unlike its modern successor, the original Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo 64 (also available on Wii and Wii U Virtual Console) has a straightforward, yet engaging, course unlocking system. You won't be dealing with "Research Levels" or "Illumina Orbs" here; instead, your progress is measured by the sheer number of unique Pokémon you photograph and the overall score you achieve in each course. Professor Oak is your guide, and he's looking for quality and quantity!

This comprehensive guide will detail exactly how to unlock each of the seven courses in Pokémon Snap, ensuring you don't miss a single photo opportunity and can complete your Pokémon Report.

The Core Mechanic: Professor Oak's Evaluation

After each run through a course, you'll present your photos to Professor Oak. He evaluates your best shot of each unique Pokémon you've captured. Your score for a Pokémon is based on several factors:

Size: How large the Pokémon appears in the frame.
Pose: The action or expression of the Pokémon.
Technique: How well-centered the Pokémon is.
Other Pokémon: If other Pokémon are in the shot, especially if they're interacting.
Special Bonus: Awarded for capturing Pokémon in unique or rare situations (e.g., a Pikachu on a surfboard).

The total score for a course is the sum of your best scores for each unique Pokémon photographed. To unlock new courses, you typically need to achieve a certain total score in the preceding course or photograph a specific number of unique Pokémon.

Course Unlock Walkthrough

1. Beach

This is your starting point, the first course Professor Oak sends you to. There are no special requirements to unlock it; simply begin your adventure!

Unlock Requirement: Automatically available at the start of the game.
Key Pokémon to Photograph: Pikachu, Pidgey, Doduo, Lapras, Snorlax, Eevee, Chansey, Meowth, Magikarp, Gyarados.
Strategy for Progression: Focus on getting clear, well-composed shots of every Pokémon you see. Don't be afraid to use your Pester Balls and Pokémon Food (Apples) to elicit different reactions. Your primary goal here is to get a good feel for the controls and the game's mechanics.

2. Tunnel

Once you've explored the sunny shores of the Beach, Professor Oak will want you to delve into the mysterious Tunnel.

Unlock Requirement: Achieve a total score of 25,000 points or more in the Beach course.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Play through the Beach course multiple times.
2. Aim for high-scoring photos of the Pokémon present. For example, toss an Apple near Pikachu to get it to pose, or hit a Pidgey with a Pester Ball to make it fly closer.
3. Ensure you're photographing as many unique Pokémon as possible to maximize your potential score.
4. After a successful run that pushes your total Beach score past 25,000, Professor Oak will inform you that the Tunnel course is now accessible.
Common Pitfall: Players might rush through, not realizing the importance of high scores. Take your time, experiment with items, and re-run the course until you hit the target score.

3. Volcano

From the dark depths of the Tunnel, your next destination is the fiery Volcano!

Unlock Requirement: Achieve a total score of 75,000 points or more in the Tunnel course.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Master the Tunnel course. This course introduces some trickier Pokémon interactions.
2. Focus on getting good shots of Pokémon like Zapdos, Electabuzz, and the hidden Diglett.
3. A key strategy for high scores in Tunnel involves waking up the sleeping Snorlax (by hitting it with Pester Balls) and photographing it, as well as getting a good shot of the rare Zapdos (which requires hitting a switch with a Pester Ball).
4. Once your cumulative score for the Tunnel course exceeds 75,000 points, Professor Oak will open up the Volcano.
Strategy Tip: use your Poke Flute in the Tunnel to wake up certain Pokémon for unique photo opportunities and higher scores.

4. River

After the heat of the Volcano, cool off by exploring the lush River course.

Unlock Requirement: Achieve a total score of 100,000 points or more in the Volcano course.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Conquer the Volcano! This course is packed with fire-type Pokémon.
2. Look for opportunities to get multiple Pokémon in one shot, such as the trio of Magmar and Vulpix.
3. A high-scoring opportunity involves waking up the sleeping Charmander and getting a good shot of it evolving into Charmeleon (by knocking it into the lava with an Apple).
4. Once your total score for the Volcano course surpasses 100,000 points, Professor Oak will grant access to the River.
Missable: The Charmeleon evolution is a prime example of a "Special Bonus" opportunity. Missing these unique interactions will significantly hinder your score progression.

5. Cave

The River leads to the dark and mysterious Cave, home to many rock and ground-type Pokémon.

Unlock Requirement: Achieve a total score of 125,000 points or more in the River course.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Master the River course. This course features several Pokémon, including Bulbasaur, Poliwag, and Vileplume.
2. Focus on getting good shots of the jumping Magikarp and the dancing Vileplume (use the Poke Flute).
3. A particularly high-scoring opportunity involves getting a good shot of the rare Dragonite, which requires a specific sequence of actions involving the Poke Flute and Pester Balls.
4. Once your cumulative score for the River course exceeds 125,000 points, Professor Oak will unlock the Cave.
Actionable Advice: In the River, try to photograph the three Bulbasaur together after waking them with the Poke Flute for a good group shot bonus.

6. Valley

Emerging from the Cave, you'll find yourself in the beautiful and challenging Valley course.

Unlock Requirement: Achieve a total score of 150,000 points or more in the Cave course.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Conquer the Cave course. This course is known for its hidden Pokémon and unique interactions.
2. Look for opportunities to photograph the Jynx and Zubat.
3. A major score booster in the Cave involves getting a good shot of the Articuno, which requires freeing it from an ice block using Pester Balls.
4. Once your total score for the Cave course surpasses 150,000 points, Professor Oak will open up the Valley.
Strategy Tip: The Cave also has a hidden Mewtwo. While not required for unlocking, finding and photographing it will significantly boost your score and overall Pokémon Report.

7. Rainbow Cloud

The ultimate challenge! The Rainbow Cloud is the final course, and it holds the legendary Pokémon Mew.

Unlock Requirement: Photograph all 62 unique Pokémon across all previous courses.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Ensure you have visited and thoroughly explored all six previous courses: Beach, Tunnel, Volcano, River, Cave, and Valley.
2. Review your Pokémon Report (accessible from the main menu) to see which Pokémon you are missing. Each course has a specific set of Pokémon.
3. Re-run courses where you are missing Pokémon. Use all your items (Apples, Pester Balls, Poke Flute) to coax out hidden Pokémon or get them into photo-ready positions.
4. Example Checklist (not exhaustive, but highlights variety):
  - Beach: Snorlax, Gyarados (evolved from Magikarp), Chansey.
  - Tunnel: Zapdos, Electabuzz, Dugtrio (evolved from Diglett).
  - Volcano: Charmeleon (evolved from Charmander), Arcanine, Rapidash.
  - River: Vileplume, Dragonite, Starmie.
  - Cave: Articuno, Mewtwo, Jynx.
  - Valley: Onix, Sandshrew, Porygon.
5. Once Professor Oak confirms you have photographed all 62 unique Pokémon, he will reveal the Rainbow Cloud as your final destination.
Depth Tip: Some Pokémon require specific interactions to appear or be photographed effectively. For instance, to photograph Gyarados in the Beach, you must repeatedly hit the Magikarp near the waterfall with Pester Balls until it evolves. Similarly, to get a good shot of Articuno in the Cave, you need to free it from its ice block. Consult a full Pokémon checklist and specific interaction guides if you're struggling to find the last few.
Common Pitfall: Players often miss a few obscure Pokémon or evolutions. Always check your Pokémon Report and re-explore courses thoroughly, trying every item in every area.

By following these steps and diligently photographing every Pokémon you encounter, you'll swiftly unlock all the courses in Pokémon Snap and be well on your way to completing Professor Oak's Pokémon Report!