Gameplay- In Pokémon Stadium, gameplay differs from traditional Pokémon RPGs. It lacks a storyline and world, focusing on battles in four Cups totaling 80 matches. The Gym Leader Castle challenges players with Kanto Gym Leaders and the Elite Four. Beating them unlocks a tough battle against Mewtwo, followed by a higher AI difficulty round. Stadium mode features Pika Cup, Petit Cup, Poké Cup, and Prime Cup, each with unique rules. Players assemble teams of six from rentals or Game Boy Pokémon. Only three can be used in each battle. Winning a Cup earns a trophy. Meeting conditions with imported Pokémon unlocks Surfing Pikachu and a Pokémon Yellow mini-game. Gym Leader Castle tasks players with defeating Kanto Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and the Champion. First, they battle three Pokémon trainers in each gym. Like Stadium battles, players choose a team of six, but only three fight at a time. Victory against the Elite Four offers the chance to win one of eight prize Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Eevee, Kabuto, or Omanyte, which can be transferred to the Game Boy games using the Transfer Pak. The gameplay experience remains true to the original Game Boy titles, utilizing the C pad to select moves. However, the absence of transfer capabilities in the Nintendo Switch Online version detracts from the experience, leaving the GB Tower and the Pokémon Lab completely absent and dampening the nostalgia trip.
Modes & Features- Pokémon Stadium offers core gameplay through Stadium & Gym Leader Castle, challenging you to become the ultimate Pokémon Trainer. Gym Leader Castle pits you against Kanto Gym Leaders. The game spices things up with mini-games for lighthearted enjoyment between battles. Sadly, the Game Boy Tower, which allowed you to play Game Boy games on the big screen, is inaccessible due to the absence of the Transfer Pak in the Switch Online version. Victory Palace proudly showcases your winning Pokémon team, celebrating your successes. On the other hand, Oak's Lab, a feature that interacted with Game Boy titles, is regrettably missing from the Switch Online version. The game caters to different playstyles with Free Battle, offering customizable rules for battles between two players, and Battle Now, providing quick battles with predetermined teams for fast-paced action. For Pokémon fans, the Gallery lets you admire detailed 3D models and artwork. One of the original Pokémon Stadium's standout features was Transfer Pak compatibility, allowing you to transfer Pokémon from Game Boy games like Red, Blue, and Yellow into Stadium. This enhanced the experience, letting you battle, save, research, and trade them within Oak's Lab. Unfortunately, these features are absent in the Nintendo Switch Online port, leaving fans yearning for the complete experience.
Mini Games- Pokémon Stadium boasts thrilling battles and a collection of nine mini-games for up to four players, with CPUs filling in if needed. Here's a quick overview of the mini-games:
Clefairy Says: Follow Clefairy's directions in this Simon Says-style game to be the last one standing or with the fewest mistakes after five rounds.
Dig! Dig! Dig!: Race as Sandshrew to dig for water faster than your opponents.
Ekans' Hoop Hurl: Skillfully toss Ekans over popping Diglett for valuable points.
Magikarp's Splash: Make a splash as Magikarp by hitting the counter above with the Splash move to win.
Rock Harden: Protect yourself from incoming boulders as Metapod or Kakuna by using the Harden move while conserving stamina.
Run, Rattata, Run: Dash as Rattata on a treadmill, leaping over hurdles to reach the goal first.
Snore War: Use Hypnosis as Drowzee to make your opponent fall asleep on a swinging pendulum.
Sushi Go-Round: Feast on sushi as Lickitung while avoiding spicier foods and tea to win with the priciest bill.
* Thundering Dynamo: Choose Pikachu or Voltorb and rapidly press buttons to charge up electricity in sync with the light bulb's color.
While not as extensive as Mario Party, Pokémon Stadium's mini-game collection adds extra fun to the Pokémon experience. It hints at the potential for a Pokémon-themed party game with the excitement of Mario Party in the captivating Pokémon universe.
Summary
Gameplay: 7
Graphics: 8
Characters: 5
Content: 7
Music: 8
Difficulty: Nightmare
Length: 11 hours
Audience: 7+
Perk: Play Then Sell
Final Score: 7 (Good)
Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo Switch Online isn't the worst Pokémon game by any means. It's a nostalgic journey that evokes fond memories of the original. However, it's not without its flaws. The most significant issues are the frustrating movesets of rental Pokémon and the absence of features like the GB Tower, which hampers the experience. It's clear that there was potential for greatness, but it falls short of its N64 counterpart. Allowing players to bring their Pokémon over would have greatly improved the experience. Despite its drawbacks, Pokémon Stadium still manages to capture the essence of Pokémon battles and offers an enjoyable experience for fans
Modes & Features- Pokémon Stadium offers core gameplay through Stadium & Gym Leader Castle, challenging you to become the ultimate Pokémon Trainer. Gym Leader Castle pits you against Kanto Gym Leaders. The game spices things up with mini-games for lighthearted enjoyment between battles. Sadly, the Game Boy Tower, which allowed you to play Game Boy games on the big screen, is inaccessible due to the absence of the Transfer Pak in the Switch Online version. Victory Palace proudly showcases your winning Pokémon team, celebrating your successes. On the other hand, Oak's Lab, a feature that interacted with Game Boy titles, is regrettably missing from the Switch Online version. The game caters to different playstyles with Free Battle, offering customizable rules for battles between two players, and Battle Now, providing quick battles with predetermined teams for fast-paced action. For Pokémon fans, the Gallery lets you admire detailed 3D models and artwork. One of the original Pokémon Stadium's standout features was Transfer Pak compatibility, allowing you to transfer Pokémon from Game Boy games like Red, Blue, and Yellow into Stadium. This enhanced the experience, letting you battle, save, research, and trade them within Oak's Lab. Unfortunately, these features are absent in the Nintendo Switch Online port, leaving fans yearning for the complete experience.
Mini Games- Pokémon Stadium boasts thrilling battles and a collection of nine mini-games for up to four players, with CPUs filling in if needed. Here's a quick overview of the mini-games:
Clefairy Says: Follow Clefairy's directions in this Simon Says-style game to be the last one standing or with the fewest mistakes after five rounds.
Dig! Dig! Dig!: Race as Sandshrew to dig for water faster than your opponents.
Ekans' Hoop Hurl: Skillfully toss Ekans over popping Diglett for valuable points.
Magikarp's Splash: Make a splash as Magikarp by hitting the counter above with the Splash move to win.
Rock Harden: Protect yourself from incoming boulders as Metapod or Kakuna by using the Harden move while conserving stamina.
Run, Rattata, Run: Dash as Rattata on a treadmill, leaping over hurdles to reach the goal first.
Snore War: Use Hypnosis as Drowzee to make your opponent fall asleep on a swinging pendulum.
Sushi Go-Round: Feast on sushi as Lickitung while avoiding spicier foods and tea to win with the priciest bill.
* Thundering Dynamo: Choose Pikachu or Voltorb and rapidly press buttons to charge up electricity in sync with the light bulb's color.
While not as extensive as Mario Party, Pokémon Stadium's mini-game collection adds extra fun to the Pokémon experience. It hints at the potential for a Pokémon-themed party game with the excitement of Mario Party in the captivating Pokémon universe.
Summary
Gameplay: 7
Graphics: 8
Characters: 5
Content: 7
Music: 8
Difficulty: Nightmare
Length: 11 hours
Audience: 7+
Perk: Play Then Sell
Final Score: 7 (Good)
Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo Switch Online isn't the worst Pokémon game by any means. It's a nostalgic journey that evokes fond memories of the original. However, it's not without its flaws. The most significant issues are the frustrating movesets of rental Pokémon and the absence of features like the GB Tower, which hampers the experience. It's clear that there was potential for greatness, but it falls short of its N64 counterpart. Allowing players to bring their Pokémon over would have greatly improved the experience. Despite its drawbacks, Pokémon Stadium still manages to capture the essence of Pokémon battles and offers an enjoyable experience for fans