Pokemon Snap Randomizer Setup Guide

Required Software

• One of the two emulators below:
  • BizHawk
    • This is the recommended emulator! Project64 is supported for legacy reasons.
  • Project64 (PJ64) 3.0.X
    • 3.0.1 is the latest tested version the devs have checked.
    • Dev / 4.0 versions currently do NOT work with Pokemon Snap, as the emulator fails to load this game properly.
    • It has been confirmed to work with Linux systems using Wine.
• Pokemon Snap APWorld
• An American/US version of Pokemon Snap

General Concept

Installation Procedures

1. Download and install the most recent Archipelago Multiworld Suite from the link above, making sure to install the most recent version.

2. Acquire the most recent APWorld from the Releases page and place the pokemon_snap.apworld in the custom_worlds folder of your Archipelago install

3. Download and install either the Project64 or BizHawk Emulator from the link above. Run the emulator at least once to make sure it is working.

   • Note: If using Project64, the first time you setup this world, let the APWorld run before Project64. Why? Because this world will update some settings within Project64 itself and it cannot save the file while the program is open. This includes creating the connection between AP and Project64. If you have a client that fails to communicate with AP, this might be your error.

Create a Player file (.yaml)

What is a player file and why do I need one?

Your player yaml file contains a set of configuration options which provide the generator with information about how it should generate your game. Each player of a multiworld will provide their own file. This setup allows each player to enjoy an experience customized for their taste, and different players in the same multiworld can all have different options.

Where do I get a player file? (Easy)

Run the ArchipelagoLauncher.exe from your Archipelago install and click Options Creator. In the new window that opens scroll down on the left until you find Pokemon Snap. Enter your Player Name in the Player Name box. Once you have chosen your desired options click Export Options in the top right to export your player file.

Where do I get a player file? (Hard)

Run the ArchipelagoLauncher.exe from your Archipelago install and click Generate Template Options. This will produce a /Players/Templates folder in your Archipelago install, which contains default config files for every game in your custom_worlds and lib/worlds folder. You can manually edit the config file using a text editor of your choice.

Generating a Single-Player Game

1. After modifying your yaml, place it into your Archipelago/player folder
2. Open the Archipelago Launcher and click "Generate". This will create a zip file in Archipelago/output
   • You will need to open this .zip to get your .apsnap patch file if you are not using the Archipelago website
3. Navigate to the Archipelago website and go to the Host Game page (top right menu)
4. Click upload file and pass it the .zip created in your output folder
5. Click the "Create New Room" link. You are now able to download your patch file from here (as of AP 0.6.2).
6. Run the ArchipelagoLauncher.exe and click Open Patch. Select your .apsnap patch file. You will be prompted to locate your vanilla/original USA Pokemon Snap ROM the first time you do this.
   • This action will automatically run the Pokemon Snap Client (and connect to the webhost if the patch was downloaded from there).
   • The patch will be placed in the same folder as your patch file by default.
   • You will not need to patch the game every time you resume the same session, and can simply run the Pokemon Snap Client from the list on the right of the Archipelago Launcher to continue later.
7. Open BizHawk/Project64 (if it has not opened already), open your newly patched Pokemon Snap Rom. Load all the way into a brand new save file.
   • You must use a brand new save file.
8. In the server page, there will be a port number. Copy this port number into the top of your Pokemon Snap Client if it did not populate on its own.
   • The field should read archipelago.gg:<port number> for example
9. Once you have loaded into the game, click the Connect button at the top of the Pokemon Snap Client. You are now connected and ready to play!
   • Unfortunately, due to the nature of some checks, you must be connected to a server while playing. Please keep a link to the webpage on hand
10. To rejoin the room later, you need to open the webpage, open the Pokemon Snap Client through the Archipelago Launcher, and open the patched ISO with BizHawk/Project64. Then you can click connect on the Pokemon Snap Client so long as the port matches what is shown on the webpage.

Joining a MultiWorld Game

Obtain your patch file and create your ROM

When you join a multiworld game, you will be asked to provide your config file to whoever is hosting. Once that is done, the host will provide you with either a link to download your patch file, or with an .apsnap patch file that they have extracted from the zip.

Put your patch file on your desktop or somewhere convenient. Open the ArchipelagoLauncher.exe and click Open Patch. This should automatically launch the client, and will also create your ISO in the same place as your patch file. On first time patching, you will be prompted to locate your Pokemon Snap USA ROM and BizHawk/Project 64 installation.

Connect to the client

When the ISO patched, the Pokemon Snap Client should have also automatically launched in the background. If it did not, please check the log in your Archipelago/logs folder. If this is its first time launching, you may be prompted to allow it to communicate through the Windows Firewall. You must reopen the client each time you connect to a different randomized ISO.

1. If it didn't launch automatically, open Project64/BizHawk, open your newly patched Pokemon Snap USA Rom
2. In the server page, there will be a port number. Copy this port number into the top of your Pokemon Snap Client and press Connect.
   • The field should read archipelago.gg:<port number>
3. If asked, enter your slot name (the name from your YAML file).
4. (Project64 only) Start the connection script in Project 64: Click Debugger -> Scripts..., highlight the ap_snap_pj64_adapter_30.js script, and click Run.
   • Until you do this, you'll see the message "Unable to connect to Project 64. Attempting again in 5 seconds..."
5. (BizHawk only) If you're using the Mupen core in BizHawk, you may need to enable the Expansion Pak. After loading any N64 game, enable the option under N64 -> Use Expansion Slot. Then reboot the core (Emulation -> Reboot Core).
6. The client should log that BizHawk/Project64 has been connected. You are now connected and ready to play!

Play the game

Hitting issues?

See FAQ for troubleshooting tips