20 years ago today on 14th December, 2000, Pokémon Stadium 2 launched for the Nintendo 64 in Japan.
It was actually known as Pokémon Stadium Gold & Silver in Japan and was the third entry in the series – Pokémon's home country has had three Stadium games in total, with the first of the trio never making it across to western shores. The game arrived in Europe and North America the following year with a new title of 'Pokémon Stadium 2', reflecting the fact that this was only the second game to have launched in the west.
The game allows players to battle their favourite monsters in 3D on the TV, with all 251 Pokémon from the series' first two generations being supported. Using the N64's Transfer Pak controller accessory, you can even make use of the Pokémon you've caught in the Game Boy games – Pokémon Red and Blue, Yellow, Gold and Silver, and Crystal – taking them to new heights on the big screen.
It offers a Free Battle mode where you can battle as much as you like, a Gym Leader castle challenge which sees you taking on tough opponents, an Academy which teaches you all you need to know about battling, and a nice selection of mini-games that can be played either for fun or competitively.
Do you have any fond memories of playing Pokémon Stadium 2 on the N64? Did you manage to defeat all of the Gym Leaders? Let us know down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 20
MK64 also released today 24 years ago in Japan
Pokémon Stadium 2 was the first game I got for my Nintendo 64 - a 11th birthday gift from my mother, along with a separate Transfer Pak; my father gave me Pokémon Silver.
Stadium 2 is fantastic; it had everything, from GB Tower, tough battles (rental Pokémon were less competitive to beat the gym leaders and the tournaments) and addictive minigames (even better than the ones from Stadium 1) to Earl's Academy, with questionnaires and practical tests.
I don't have any memories of N64 as PS1 games was my teenhood.
The best part was always the minigames haha
The memories of... that cheating Mewtwo! C'MON ON, IT KNOWS BLIZZARD!?
The mini games were a blast
I only managed to get hold of a copy retroactively (during the game drought towards the end of the Wii's lifespan iir). It cost me something like £30 which at the time I thought was outrageous for a nearly three generations old game, but I absolutely got my moneys worth from it. If you approach Stadium/S2/Battle Revolution as competitive 3D expansion packs for the main games they are really solid games.
Will never forget how I got this. Gave my mon the money to pick it up for me while I was on a 3 day school field trip to Washington DC. We played gold and silver all the way there and back and when I got home Stadium 2 was waiting for me. Was nice to know that however much I liked the trip, I’d have a sweet new game to play at the end.
Honestly, I feel old reading this. I was maybe 8 when it came out, and I remember being so hyped. I still need to finish it though.
I never was able to make it past Round 2 but I still have very fond memories of this game.
The game was virtually impossible with the provided rental Pokemon, but a blast when you brought over you team from the Game Boy titles. Good memories.
It makes me sad that newer Pokémon fans don’t have a game like Pokémon Stadium 1 or 2 today. It was a great way for me to learn about Pokémon battling, as I was too young to understand the text in the RPG adventures at the time. The first main series Pokémon game I finished was Ruby and Sapphire. I still play Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2 with friends to this day, it’s just a great way to set up Pokémon battles without the need for a main series game. The rental Pokémon selection offering for multiplayer is very generous, including every Pokémon at the time in both games except for Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Celebi. Even so, there’s always a certain charm with using the transfer pack and seeing your GB Pokémon come to life in 3D. In Stadium 2, the transfer pack even allows you to use more held items than what Stadium 2 allows by default if you have the item in your Gen II game, like Leftovers and the Berserk Gene. Overall, I love the Pokémon Stadium games, and it’s great to see that they are remembered so fondly. I credit the Pokémon Stadium games for being my proper introduction to Pokémon battling.
@TheLightSpirit Well then. Kudos to you. I wouldn't have the patience for that.
Still play it every day.
@TheLightSpirit There was always something magical about seeing our pixel teams in 3D. I am working on doing that again in the GameCube games right now actually.
I am legit impressed that you beat it with rentals though. I remember loving the mystery gift feature in Stadium 2 to get Pokedolls for your room in the Game Boy game.
Good one, ultimate Test for your trained Pokemon of the GB Versions.
So much fun.
One of my favs on that platform. Easily made my personal top 25 games on the platform when you hosted that poll.
I really only played the minigames until I got the Gameboy connector and could bring all my special shinies and alternate pokemon from Crystal version into those minigames.
Additionally, Dodrio Mode is what lead to me becoming SO obsessed with breeding and hatching shinies and perfect IV pokemon, that I took a step back, and haven't really played again until Pokemon Go.
Thanks Pokemon Stadium 2?
Only have and played the first stadium. Come to think of it, shortly after the first Stadium game I stopped caring about Pokémon.
Love that gold & silver cartridge, glad to have it as part of my collection.
I remember Pokemon Stadium, back when it was a big deal to be simply seeing your Pokemon battle in 3D lol. Now looking back the games are nothing special but at the time it was amazing.
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