Video game retailer GameStop has completed its plan to sell 3.5 million shares to generate funds to help accelerate its transformation to become a successful company. GameStop has now sold those shares and the market value of them brought in about $551 million.
As announced previously, this money will be used to help with GameStop’s transformation efforts and for “general corporate purposes and further strengthening the company’s balance sheet.”
GameStop’s share price currently stands at around $180. It’s down from the madness of earlier in 2021 thanks to the Reddit short squeeze, but it’s still a massive increase over where the stock price was six months ago. The stock price is also higher that it has been for most of April 2021 which may be unusual when a company sells its own stock.
GameStop has big plans to turn things around, and this buyback could help give the company the cash it needs to execute on its strategy. The retailer recently hired a “Growth Officer” whose job it will be to oversee GameStop’s transition. GameStop also just hired new brand development and merchandising executives to help with this move.
Sherman is leaving GameStop with more than 1 million shares, which could be worth over $150 million, depending on how the company’s stock price fares. The Wall Street Journal reported that a series of other outgoing executives are receiving very lucrative exit packages.
As for what Cohen’s plan actually is to help make GameStop a profitable company again, Bloomberg cited sources saying he plans to push “rapidly” into e-commerce, taking some of his learnings from his pet food company Chewy and applying them to GameStop. He also plans to make GameStop’s customer service better and “aggressively” expand the products that GameStop offers. One major potential issue is that GameStop has a lot of physical stores, and the report said the plan is to close stores and transform the ones that do stay open into things like “training centers for aspiring esports gamers.”
Dark Universe was one of the biggest movie failures of recent years. It was Universal’s much-hyped series of interconnected monster movies that collapsed after the release of one film, the Tom Cruise-starring 2017 flop The Mummy. Now Eric Heisserer, one of the writers involved, has spoken about why it failed.
Speaking to The Playlist, Heisserer explained that there was very little agreement amongst the various writers that had been assembled to develop future Dark Universe films. “It was a very strange experience,” he said. “There was certainly a big brain trust of writers around the table. You had a lot of voices and none of them could agree on much. Much like when I’d visit my relatives for Thanksgiving and everyone’s arguing with each other.
“You had some people saying, ‘Should our monsters all be villains in these movies or can they all be heroes?’ And someone else would say, ‘We can build the plane when we fly it.’ And it’s me and Jon Spaihts at the table going, ‘That’s a terrible analogy. We don’t want to be on that plane. What are we doing here?'”
The movie that Heisserer and Spaihts were developing was based on legendary vampire hunter Van Helsing. But Heisserer admits that they had a “terrible motivation” for choosing it. “We were also like, ‘You know? I don’t think some of these movies are going to work at all,” he said. “So what if we create the character that kills the monsters in the movies that don’t work?”
Dark Universe officially launched in May 2017, shortly before the release of The Mummy. Other movies being developed included The Bride of Frankenstein with Angelina Jolie and The Invisible Man with Johnny Depp, but the commercial disappointment of The Mummy led to future films being delayed, then cancelled, and the whole venture was ultimately abandoned. Luckily, we still have this legendary tweet to remind us of the sorry saga.
Nevertheless, Universal is still planning a series of movies based on its monster properties. Last year’s The Invisible Man was a big commercial success, and other films currently in development include The Invisible Woman, to be directed by Elizabeth Banks, The Wolfman, starring Ryan Gosling, and a movie based on Dracula’s servant Renfield.
iOS update 14.5 has added native support for PS5 and Xbox Series X and S controllers to iPhone and iPad.
Available today, the 14.5 update is a major addition to iOS, adding app tracking transparency (meaning apps now need express permission to track user data), a workaround for those wearing face masks while unlocking their phone, new voices for Siri, and more. As part of that, game controller support via Bluetooth has been added, too.
The feature has been hotly anticipated for some time, with users previously forced to find workarounds or use the DualShock 4 while streaming from the PlayStation 5 in apps like PS Remote Play, in absence of proper DualSense support.
Players will also be able to use the DualSense and Series controllers with a compatible Apple TV if they own one, so they’ll be able to play Apple Arcade games on the big screen with a next-gen controller. You can find and install the update by heading to your Settings app, tapping the General tab and then scrolling down to Software Update.
There is a particularly memorable and quotable scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers when an Uruk-hai kills one of his comrades and then loudly declares, “Looks like meat’s back on the menu, boys!” For years, commenters have pointed out that this line is a touch odd, given that Uruk-hai presumably would have no concept of what a menu is. Now, three of the actors involved in the scene have shared their thoughts on it.
Nathaniel Lees, who played the Uruk-hai Ugluk who delivered the iconic line, said in an interview with Thrillist that the choice to say “menu” was to meant to clarify that, “Menu is merely the choice of food available.” Once Ugluk killed the orc, Snaga, his “meat was back on the menu,” according to Lees.
Stephen Ure, who played the Orc captain Grishnakh who suggested maiming Pippin and Merry and eating parts of them, commented that there is plenty in The Lord of the Rings that doesn’t exactly make logical sense. Getting into costume, including extensive makeup and more, was a challenging and difficult experience, Ure said. So raising concerns to scriptwriters that could have delayed production and kept them in costume for longer was not something he wanted to do.
“There’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t really make sense. Of course they wouldn’t know what a menu was,” he said. “You’re not going to start debating the writing, because maybe then they are going to run away and rewrite it and then you are going to be sitting there in all that stuff. Really, at the end of the day, you just want it to be over and get out of that stuff.”
Ure said he’s baffled by how the “meat’s back on the menu” line became very famous. He also said it was probably written by Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning screenwriter who worked with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh on the scripts for all three movies.
“I had no idea that this scene had become so famous. There’s a lot of clunky things in there. It’s Philippa Boyens. She puts all this stuff in there that doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Jeb Brophy, who played the orc who had his head chopped off, said some “modern vernacular” slipped into the script for The Two Towers. Brophy said the “menu” line could be understood when you consider that Uruk-hai may be orcs bred with humans, making it at least theoretically possible that they might understand the concept of a menu.
“I guess when you look at Bilbo Baggins and the types of food he eats. They do talk about banquets, especially in Hobbiton. So ‘menu’ [could] be a common phrase. The Uruk-hai are orcs bred with humans, so who knows where that language comes from, really?” he said.
The full interview at Thrillist dives much deeper into this important matter and you can and should read the full thing to get the complete context.
When the most recent episode of Mayans MC–FX’s Sons of Anarchy sequel series–ended, fans were left with a potentially deadly turn of events for a fan-favorite character. In a season of the show that has seen the titular motorcycle club on the verge of falling apart–and that’s before you take into account that dead Sons of Anarchy member that still needs to be dealt with–this particular twist was heartbreaking.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Mayans MC, Season 3, Episode 7–“What Comes of Handlin’ Snakeskin.” If you haven’t watched the episode yet, stop reading this now and head over to FX on Hulu to catch up. Otherwise, please continue on.
After struggling with a heroin addiction all season, Coco (Richard Cabral) finally went too far. At the end of the episode, we see his lifeless body in his daughter Leticia’s (Emily Tosta) arms after an apparent overdose.
For Cabral, this was the culmination of three years of storytelling, with the seeds for Coco’s downfall having been planted back in the first season. “We were planning this right after Season 1, right? And for Season 2, it didn’t unfold like that,” the actor told GameSpot. “So me and [showrunner] Elgin James had this conversation right after Season 1 that we were gonna try to trickle this back [in] because it only made sense. How much greater a storyline is after you killed your [heroine-addict] mother, that all these demons will haunt you? It’s a beautiful arc.”
And it’s one that Cabral has a personal connection to. “It comes down to me and Elgin, and Elgin having an understanding of who he was prior to being in the industry and Elgin having an understanding of who I was prior to being in the industry,” he continues. “So there was a lot of personal influence that was able to come to Coco. And Elgin knew that I had a little bit more. Being that this is a Southern California story, being that this is a Mexican story, and being that there was heroin influence–and my family has been involved in heroin since the 1970s. I’ve seen it in a personal way.”
Still, while he worked with James to flesh out this particular story, the actual overdose of the character caught him off guard. However, in his mind, this is exactly what Coco wants.
“The first time when I first read the whole season, I didn’t catch [the overdose],” Cabral remembered. “I didn’t know that he was gonna die, but I didn’t even think twice about it because everything else is like he’s trying to attain death anyways. So if it’s not that, somehow this guy is trying to die.”
What makes it such a strong moment, though, is that it was Leticia who found him. “It truly just broke my heart. And I remember that day it was really hard,” the actor admitted. “I remember people behind the monitors just crying that day, you know, [because of Leticia] finding me, her dad, possibly dead in her arms.”
As for what happens next, fans will have to wait to find out. Mayans MC airs Tuesdays on FX.
Click To Unmute
Size:
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
These days, you can stream media on practically any device that connects to the internet, from “smart” TVs to gaming consoles. But when it comes to devices dedicated to streaming, Roku is one of the biggest players on the market, offering a variety of inexpensive devices, TVs, and boxes that can play app-based media. The spectrum of Roku devices, of which there are many, can be overwhelming if you’re new to the brand’s products, so we’re breaking down all the top Roku devices, their capabilities, and what you can expect to pay. Here’s what you need to know before switching to Roku in 2021.
What is Roku?
Roku offers a line of devices you can use to download entertainment apps and watch content from all the best streaming services, including Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Netflix (though YouTube TV might soon disappear). Roku TVs come with the Roku OS and streaming capabilities built in. Roku also sells a line of boxes–devices that can connect to your TV via HDMI or wireless.
Roku isn’t designed to be part of an existing ecosystem. So if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber and/or have an Alexa device, for example, you may want to opt for a Fire Stick instead of a Roku. Similarly, the Apple TV 4K is designed for integration with Apple products, which makes it a great option for those who already have an iPhone in their pocket and an Apple Watch on their wrist. For people who aren’t particularly invested in either Apple or Amazon products, however, Roku devices can be a cheap and reliable option.
Roku devices and compatibility
The Roku Streaming Stick+ is one of the top Roku devices, capable of streaming in 4K with HDR.
Roku boxes
Roku offers a variety of boxes, ranging from $30 on the low end to $180 at the most expensive.
The Roku Express is the cheapest option at $30. This box is the most basic Roku product and only supports streaming in HD, making it the only Roku device incapable of 4K resolution and HDR. The Roku Express comes with the device itself, an HDMI cable, and a simple remote without voice search capability.
The Roku Express 4K+ is one step up at $40. This is a slight upgrade over the Roku Express, boasting 4K and HDR, plus a remote with voice search. This device connects wirelessly, with no HDMI needed. The Roku Streaming Stick+, on the other hand, plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and costs $50. It’s also capable of 4K and HDR, but is smaller and more portable than any other Roku device. Like the Express 4K+, the Roku Streaming Stick+ comes with a voice search-enabled remote.
The Roku Ultra is a major step up in terms of quality and price, but it comes with a higher list price of $100. With a quad-core processor, the Roku Ultra is fast and boasts 50% greater wireless range than cheaper Roku devices. Its other features include Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, private listening, and a lost remote finder. The Roku Ultra includes USB and Ethernet ports as well. Its remote is voice search-enabled and has programmable shortcut buttons.
Roku also sells a pair of Roku-enabled soundbars. The cheaper of the two options is the Roku Streambar ($130), which can connect to TVs and Bluetooth-enabled devices. The Roku Streambar is designed to amplify dialogue volume and dampen commercials. Its remote is also voice-search enabled. On the pricey end of the spectrum, the Roku Streambar Pro retails for $180 and has all the benefits of the basic Streambar, plus virtual surround sound and programmable shortcuts on the remote. Both soundbars are designed to be easily supplemented by additional speakers.
Some of these Roku devices rank on our list of the best streaming devices you can buy, including the best budget streaming device (Roku Express HD) and the best 4K streaming device (Roku Streaming Stick+). So if you’re on the fence about which Roku device is right for you, those are the top two we’d recommend.
Retailer exclusives
There are also a few retailer-exclusive Roku devices that differ only slightly.
Two devices are available exclusively through Walmart. At $35, the Roku Express 4K is five dollars cheaper than the Roku Express+. It’s the same in every way, except it comes with a simple remote that isn’t capable of performing voice search. The other exclusive, the Roku Ultra LT comes in at $69, with 4K, HDR, and a quad-core processor for added speed. It supports wired and wireless connections and comes with both headphones and a voice search-enabled remote with a headphone jack for private listening.
Best Buy also offers one exclusive device, the Roku Streaming Stick+ Headphone Edition, for $60. This device also comes with headphones that can jack into the voice search-enabled remote for private listening, but it’s otherwise indistinguishable from the Roku Streaming Stick+.
Roku TVs
Roku TVs come in hundreds of models from a wide variety of brands. Hisense, TCL, Sanyo, Westinghouse, JVC, Element, RCA, Philips, Hitachi, Magnavox, Onn, and InFocus all manufacture smart TVs that come with the Roku OS built in. Instead of needing to plug in a device, you can use the Roku interface on your TV out of the box–a convenient option for households that stream a lot of different media.
Though many brands offer TVs with Roku built in, the TCL 6-Series is one of the best options you can buy, offering great value for the price. The TCL 6-Series 4K TV with Roku offers a brilliant picture with mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming. It also features a THX game mode that keeps input lag low and gameplay smooth.
Note that it doesn’t have HDMI 2.1 ports, which are required to take full advantage of next-gen console power with 4K and 120Hz, though the number of games supporting that is currently low (see our guide to the best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X if you’re willing to pay more for that future protection). But if you’re looking for an affordable Roku TV with a stunning 4K picture for streaming shows and movies, it doesn’t get better than the TCL 6-Series–and our friends over at CNET agree.
How Roku works
Unlike with a cable box, purchasing a Roku device is a one-and-done deal. You aren’t renting the equipment; you own it. All you need to do is create a Roku account, and once that’s sorted, you can add all your favorite apps, manage subscriptions, and stream content from your Roku device. In order to use Roku, you will need a consistent Internet connection–though Roku TVs, when paired with an antenna, can pick up local stations without the need for a Wi-Fi connection.
Once connected, you will interact with your Roku device using the included remote. The Roku OS has a tile-based look, and you can scroll through your apps using the directional pad on the remote or search for content across all apps. For example, searching “Tom Hanks” might bring up Castaway on Hulu, Greyhound on Apple TV+, Big on Disney+, and Saving Private Ryan on Netflix. You can do the same for other keywords like a movie’s title or a director’s name. This is incredibly convenient when you have a movie or show you want to watch, but aren’t sure which service it’s available on.
Do you need a Roku subscription?
You don’t need a paid subscription to use Roku. Buying your Roku device is a one-time purchase with no strings attached. However, Roku will require you to have a payment method on file when you create your account. This allows you to purchase videos on demand and pay for subscriptions like Netflix and HBO Max if you manage them through Roku–you won’t be charged otherwise. Roku doesn’t require a subscription on its own, but it does provide a hub for managing other services, including canceling or renewing streaming subscriptions. This can be convenient if you want to keep track of all of your subscriptions in one place.
What is the Roku Channel?
The Roku Channel is free and included with all Roku devices, which is good because it doesn’t offer much you would want to pay for (despite recently debuting its first original series). It can also be supplemented with premium subscriptions to Epix, Showtime, AMC+, and others. The Roku App, which is also free, functions as a voice-controlled remote. It allows private listening when watching on your TV and allows lets you watch the Roku Channel on the go. Using your phone, you can easily cast pictures or screen mirror to your TV using AirPlay 2 or the Google Home app.
Final thoughts: Is Roku worth it?
If you’re a console gamer, there’s really no reason to purchase a Roku device. Sony and Microsoft consoles support the vast majority of media apps, and while there are some holdouts (the Criterion Channel, for example, is not available on PS4 or PS5), the biggest apps are available on both families of consoles. But if you’re not a console gamer and aren’t invested in Apple or Amazon products, the Roku family of devices can be a great one-time purchase for those who want to stream content on a TV, and they tend to be more affordable.
If you want to watch a ton of streaming content and manage your subscriptions in one place (and don’t already own a game console or smart TV), Roku is a reliable and inexpensive solution, with a ton of different devices on offer designed to fulfill a wide variety of needs. Whatever your budget, you can find a Roku that won’t break the bank.
The new Mortal Kombat reboot is out in the wild, available to watch in theaters or on HBO Max (at least for the next month or so), but people are already talking about sequels. That might be because the final moments of the film not so subtly name drop one of the series’ core characters, Johnny Cage. Now, the wrestler and actor known as The Miz has a suggestion for who should play the arrogant martial artist: himself.
One of the biggest questions for Mortal Kombat fans ahead of the film’s debut was, “why isn’t Johnny Cage in the movie?” The director had a simple answer: there’s only room enough in the movie for one arrogant jerk, and the story centers heavily around Kano. Kano is an arrogant jerk. Johnny Cage is all but guaranteed to appear in any (currently unannounced) Mortal Kombat sequels, but the movie didn’t go so far as to give him a face.
Michael Mizanin, who wrestles as The Miz, put his name in the hat, saying “I AM the special effects. Let me do the casting for you” in a tweet accompanied by a picture of Cage from the games. Mizanin has been wrestling for almost 20 years and has a few films to his name, including direct-to-video films The Marine 3: Homefront up through The Marine 6: Close Quarters. In other words, while he may not be a superstar on the level of John Cena or Dwayne Johnson, he’s no stranger to being in front of the camera.
Ed Boon, one of the creators of Mortal Kombat and the current Creative Director of Mortal Kombat game developer NetherRealm Studios, backed up Miz’s self-promotion saying that the “guy makes a compelling case” in a retweet.
Commenters have responded to Boon’s retweet with varying levels of enthusiasm, with some suggesting that better casting than this would be impossible. Others, meanwhile, have dropped names like Arrow star Stephen Amell, who has extensive stunt fight experience thanks to his CW superhero show, and is currently filming a wrestling show called Heel for the Starz network; other fan-suggested names include actors like Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds, both of whom have extensive action resumes of their own.
Mortal Kombat is in theaters now. If you haven’t read any reviews, you can check out our review and see what other critics are saying about the film, which is helping the US Box Office reach new highs since last March when things began to shut down due to COVID-19. We also have covered a major change that’s throwing more than a few fans off, and of course scoured the movie for every single Easter egg.
Click To Unmute
Size:
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Apple’s latest round of device updates brings support for the latest console controllers to iOS and tvOS. The iOS 14.5 and tvOS 14.5 updates apply to Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV, and they each add support for both the PS5 DualSense and the Xbox Series X|S controller, among other new features.
The feature, which lists both Series X|S and DualSense wireless controller support, can be found under the Gaming section in the changelog (via WCCF Tech). The same update number is used for the latest tvOS firmware, which will update any Apple TV devices that you have.
The controller support on tvOS isn’t too surprising, as we’ve heard reports that Apple is phasing out its TV remote’s ability to double as a game controller. Instead, newer versions of the remote will prompt you to connect a supported wireless controller like those from PlayStation or Xbox, or to use an older Apple TV remote.
Other new features of the iOS update includes the ability to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch even if wearing a face mask, support for the new AirTag dongles, more robust privacy settings that will allow you to control which apps can track you across other apps, and other quality-of-life features. The tvOS update features a new color balance tool that uses your phone to calibrate its settings.
Apple recently issued a big update to Apple Arcade, adding loads of games including new releases and a selection of classics. If you’re looking for the right controller to use to play games on your iOS or tvOS device, check out our selections for the best mobile controllers.
Apple iOS Update 14.5
Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch
Ability to unlock your iPhone X and later with Apple Watch Series 3 and later when you attempt to use Face ID while wearing a face mask
AirTag and Find My
Support for AirTag to keep track of and find your important items like your keys, wallet, backpack and more, privately and securely in the Find My app
Precision Finding uses visual, audible, and haptic feedback to guide you directly to your nearby AirTag using Ultra Wideband provided by the U1 chip on iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models
AirTag can be located by playing a sound via the built-in speaker
The Find My network with hundreds of millions of devices can help you find your AirTag, even when it isn’t nearby
Lost Mode notifies you when your AirTag is found, and you can enter a phone number where you can be contacted
Emoji
Support for separate skin tones for each individual in all variations of the couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji
New face emojis, heart emojis, woman with a beard emoji
Siri
Siri now includes more diverse voice options
Incoming calls can be announced with Siri, including who is calling, when you’re wearing your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones, and you can answer hands-free
Group FaceTime calls are supported by asking Siri to FaceTime a list of contacts or a group name from Messages
Emergency contacts can be called by asking Siri
Privacy
App Tracking Transparency lets you control which apps are allowed to track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites for ads or sharing with data brokers
Apple Music
Share your favorite lyrics using Messages, Facebook, and Instagram Stories, and subscribers can play the snippet in Messages without leaving the conversation
City charts showcase what’s popular in over 100 cities from all over the world
Podcasts
Podcasts Show Pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening
Option to save and download episodes, automatically adding them to your Library for quick access
Download behavior and notification settings can be customized on a show-by-show basis
Top Charts and popular categories in Search help you discover new shows
5G improvements
Dual SIM support enables 5G connectivity on the line that’s using cellular data on iPhone 12 models
Smart Data Mode improvements further optimize your experience on 5G networks for better battery life and data usage on iPhone 12 models
5G international roaming enabled on supported carriers on iPhone 12 models
News
Redesigned News+ tab enables Apple News+ subscribers to quickly find, download, and manage magazine and newspaper issues
All-new Search experience that helps you find relevant topics, channels, and stories
Maps
Accidents, hazards, or speed checks along your route can be reported by telling Siri on your iPhone or on CarPlay
Estimated time of arrival (ETA) can be shared when cycling or walking, in addition to driving, by asking Siri or tapping on the route card at the bottom of the screen, then tapping Share ETA
Reminders
Ability to sort reminders by Title, Priority, Due Date, or Creation date
Option to print your reminder lists
Translate
Translation playback speed can be adjusted by long pressing the play button
Gaming
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller or Sony PS5 DualSense™ Wireless Controller support
Fitness+
Ability to stream audio and video content from Apple Fitness+ workouts to AirPlay 2-enabled TVs and devices
CarPlay
ETA in Apple Maps can be easily shared while driving with new Siri or keyboard controls in CarPlay
This release also fixes the following issues:
Messages at the bottom of the thread may be hidden by the keyboard under certain circumstances
Deleted messages may still appear in Spotlight search
Messages may persistently fail to send texts in some threads
Mail would not load new emails for some users until restarting the device
Call blocking and identification section may not appear in Phone settings
iCloud Tabs may not appear in Safari
iCloud Keychain could be prevented from turning off
Reminders created via Siri may be unintentionally set for early morning hours
Battery health reporting system will recalibrate maximum battery capacity and peak performance capability on iPhone 11 models to address inaccurate estimates of battery health reporting for some users (https://support.apple.com/HT212247)
Optimization to reduce the appearance of a dim glow that may appear at reduced brightness levels with black backgrounds on iPhone 12 models
AirPods audio routing to incorrect device for Automatic Switching
AirPods Automatic Switching notifications might be missing or duplicated
Although he’s perhaps best remembered for being Nintendo’s affable president until his untimely passing in 2015, the late Satoru Iwata began his career as a highly regarded programmer. During his tenure at HAL Laboratory, he worked closely with Nintendo and had a hand in many of the company’s most celebrated releases, from programming Balloon Fight’s distinctive physics to creating Super Smash Bros. on the side with his then-HAL colleague, Masahiro Sakurai. However, perhaps no series benefited more from Iwata’s touch than Pokemon, and he was particularly instrumental in shaping one of the franchise’s most beloved off-shoots, Nintendo 64’s Pokemon Snap.
At the time of its release, Pokemon Snap was one of the first games spun off from the breakout monster-catching series, but it was not initially envisioned as a Pokemon title. When HAL first began development, the project was known as Jack and the Beanstalk–a “normal game in which you took photos,” as Iwata described it in a 2010 Iwata Asks interview. Nintendo’s legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto was also involved in the project, helping to develop its photo-taking element, but progress stalled because the game lacked a compelling direction–until Iwata made a proposal.
“I was working to make the photo-taking aspect more robust, but Iwata stressed that while a game where you take photos was a decent start, what really mattered was what you could photograph,” Miyamoto recalled in Ask Iwata. “Then, at one point, he told me, ‘Miyamoto, I think it’s Pokemon. That’s what the people really want to photograph.’ I thought this was a great idea, and this became the guiding principle for the game. In summary, Iwata contributed the idea that what everybody wanted to photograph was Pokemon, while it was my job to construct an interesting system for taking all these photographs, making this one of our closest collaborations.”
Not everyone was initially thrilled by the decision to convert Jack and the Beanstalk into a Pokemon game. As HAL’s Masanobu Yamamoto recalled, “I was involved as a designer, so when characters other than the ones we had designed were used, I had a slightly negative reaction to it.” Despite this reticence, however, Yamamoto came around to the idea. “That time, adopting the Pokemon world clarified what we should do and the direction we should head, and I came to like Pokemon, so I felt like that had saved us,” he said.
Pokemon Snap eventually released in 1999 and became a big hit for the Nintendo 64, moving more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. The game would later be re-released for the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console, further cementing its legacy, although it would take more than 20 years for it to receive a proper follow-up in the aptly named New Pokemon Snap, which releases on Nintendo Switch this week. But while Bandai Namco handled development duties for the sequel in place of HAL, it’s a testament to the original’s appeal that the studio chose to stick closely to the N64 game’s formula, which wouldn’t have taken shape had it not been for Iwata.
The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.
