Pokémon Stadium
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| Pokémon Stadium | |
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| Developer(s) | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date |  April 30, 1999 February 29, 2000 March 2000 April 7, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | Strategy game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E OFLC: G |
| Media | 256Mb (32MB) Nintendo 64 Cartridge |
| Input methods | Nintendo 64 Controller, Transfer Pak |
Pokémon Stadium is the first Nintendo 64 incarnation of the Pokémon video game series.
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[edit] Versions
[edit] First (Japan only)
A first game of the series, called Pokémon Stadium (ポケモンスタジアム Pokemon Sutajiamu?), was released in Japan in 1998. This version featured only 42 Pokémon instead of the full 151 Pokémon from the Game Boy versions. This version was not released outside of Japan, and as such the numbering of subsequent Japanese releases is ahead of the North America releases. This game was originally intended for the Nintendo 64DD format, but as the Nintendo 64DD was a commercial failure, Pokémon Stadium transferred to cartridge format. There was also a Pocket Monsters Stadium Expansion Disk proposed as an add-on for the Nintendo 64DD but was unreleased.
The 42 Pokémon included in this version were:
[edit] Second (first outside of Japan)
The second game in the series was called Pokémon Stadium 2 (ポケモンスタジアム2 Pokemon Sutajiamu Tsū?) in Japan and was released as Pokémon Stadium in North America. This version features all 151 original Pokémon featured in the original Game Boy games. The North American version of this game featured support for transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow via the N64 Transfer Pak. The first game had met widespread criticism for its difficulty, and in Pokémon Stadium 2 the AI was toned down to make it easier for average players to beat.
If the player used the Yellow game, the talking Pikachu from this cartridge was a hidden character. The North American version could also be purchased in a bundle that included the game with Transfer Pak, an N64 with controller, a second purple controller, a small Pokémon magazine, and a "Cool Porygon" Pokémon trading card.
[edit] Game goals
While Pokémon Stadium does not have a storyline per se, progress in the game can only be made by winning Cups in the Stadium and completing the Gym Leader Castle. When all Cups have been won and the Gym Leader Castle completed, Mewtwo will appear in the sky over the Stadium. Defeating Mewtwo will unlock Round 2, in which the player must re-challenge the Stadium, Gym Leader Castle, and Mewtwo in order to complete the game.
[edit] Stadium
Pokémon tournaments take place in the Stadium. There are four Cups to participate in. Players choose a team of six Pokémon, comprised of any combination of pregenerated rental Pokémon and Pokémon imported from a Game Boy cartridge. Each round consists of eight three-on-three battles, and the Poké and Prime Cups consist of four rounds, named after Poké Balls, that must be cleared to win that Cup.
- Pika Cup: Battle using Pokémon from levels 15 to 20.
- Petit Cup: Battle using Basic Pokémon from levels 25 to 30 who fall under a certain height and weight. The most restrictive Cup.
- Poké Cup: Battle using Pokémon from levels 50 to 55.
- Prime Cup: Battle using Pokémon of any level. All opponents' Pokémon are at level 100.
[edit] Gym Leader Castle
The player can challenge the eight Kanto Gym Leaders of the video games, as well as the Elite Four and the Champion (Rival). Each time that the player defeats the Elite 4, a Pokémon selected at random will be awarded as a prize, which can be transferred to the player's Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow game using the Transfer Pak. Some of the prize Pokémon are Eevee, Kabuto, and Omanyte. Gym Leader Castle is one of the most difficult aspects of the game.
[edit] Optional features
Pokémon Stadium has many features aside from the main battling sequence, such as mini-games, a Game Boy player on the N64 cartridge, and more.
In Free Battle mode, players may conduct practice battles. Players can select rules from any of the tournament cups, or use modified rules. Up to four players may participate, using any combination of rental Pokémon and those imported from cartridges plugged into a Transfer Pak.
At the Game Boy Tower, the player can play Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow on the Nintendo 64. Winning tournament cups in the Stadium and completing the Gym Leader Castle will eventually unlock Doduo Mode (double speed) and Dodrio Mode (triple speed).
The Hall of Fame contains statues of Pokémon who have beaten the Elite Four in Gym Leader Castle or completed the highest round of a tournament in the Stadium.
Link Battle is located outside of Stadium City. Two to four players with Transfer Paks plugged in can use Pokémon from their Game Boy games and battle with custom rules.
The Pokémon Lab is only accessible if a Game Boy cartridge is plugged into the Transfer Pak. If the game is saved in a Pokémon Center, the player may access the PC and can arrange boxed Pokémon and items. The Lab also features an interactive Pokédex and a machine for trading between two cartridges connected by Transfer Pak.
Quick Battle is a single battle located outside of Stadium City. One player and the CPU or two players battle with pre-selected Pokémon.
[edit] Mini-games
Nine Pokémon themed minigames can be played in Pokémon Stadium, either as stand-alone games or as part of a tournament. One to four human players may participate, with the rest controlled by the computer. Many of the games utilize button mashing.
- Magikarp's Splash: Four Magikarp have flopped onto land and compete against each other to flop the highest and hit the counter on top of the screen. The Magikarp with the highest count at the end of the game wins. Although not displayed on screen, there is a time limit of 20 seconds.
- Clefairy Says: This is a combination of Simon Says and a memory game. Four Clefairy are in class and the teacher shows directions on the board. The player must remember the arrow pattern carefully, then repeat it in a limited time. The Clefairy will then dance the moves; if they make an error, the teacher will bop them with a mallet. The last Clefairy to stay in the game without getting bopped five times is the winner; alternatively, the Clefairy with the least bops at the end of the game is the winner.
- Run, Rattata, Run: Four Rattata race on parallel treadmills, and must jump over fences along the track. Whichever Rattata gets first place wins.
- Snore War: This game that requires timing skills. As one of four Drowzee, the players must use Drowzee's Hypnosis attack when the pendulum in the middle of the screen hits the center, or it will start to fall asleep. As the game goes on, the pendulum swings faster. The Drowzee that remains awake the longest wins; alternatively, if two or more players are the same sleepiness at the conclusion of the song, all four players are tied for that game.
- Thundering Dynamo: Players are randomly either a Pikachu or a Voltorb, charging up a machine with electrical energy. Players must press either the 'A' or 'B' button on the controller corresponding to the colored light on the machine (either green or blue). The first Pokémon to fill up the bar underneath it wins the game.
- Sushi-Go-Round: As Lickitung, players move around and lick up the different kinds of sushi available, which are worth different amounts of money. Eating the same type of sushi multiple times in a row gives a bonus resulting in a larger bill. At the end of 60 seconds, the Lickitung with the most expensive bill wins.
- Ekans' Hoop Hurl: The game combines a ring toss with Whac-A-Mole. It is the only mini-game in which it matters which of the four positions the player is in. Players are one of four Ekans lined up along the bottom of the screen. Diglett will pop up randomly out of the nine holes on the field. Players aim and shoot their Ekans (which curls into a hoop) over a Diglett for a point. Sometimes a colored or golden Diglett worth more points will pop up. Whoever scores the most points in 60 seconds wins.
- Rock Harden: Rocks are thrown at Metapod and Kakuna. Using the ability Harden reduces HP, but not so much as getting hit by a boulder. The last Pokémon standing wins.
- Dig! Dig! Dig!: A group of Sandshrew are digging to find water. Whichever digs to the bottom first wins. To dig, the player must alternatively tap the R and L shoulder buttons in quick succesion.
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