One of the Pokemon series’ most coveted titles — as well as a Nintendo 64 staple — is coming to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service very soon. Get ready to conquer gyms and other trainers in Pokemon Stadium.
Nintendo just announced the inclusion of Pokemon Stadium on its premium Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. This comes as a part of the Nintendo 64 library. As of April 12, players are able to download Pokemon Stadium and play it in its full glory if they are subscribed.
Originally released in 1999 in Japan and in early 2000 worldwide, Pokemon Stadium is a cult classic title for the Nintendo 64, featuring all 151 Pokemon from the first generation. This includes legendary Pokemon such as Mew and Mewtwo as well. Players can take part in two-player versus matches with their own team of six Pokemon. For those that prefer a bigger challenge, players can take on the Gym Leader Castle and fight all leaders included in the original Pokemon Red and Blue. Players run the gauntlet with their team of Pokemon, taking on three trainers before battling a fourth gym leader. The Elite Four and Champion wait for those who can survive this brutal trial. There’s also an offering of mini-games in the same vein as Kirby titles. These mini-games support up to four players and represent the only mode that supports this many local controllers.
What appears to be a brand new feature in this version of Pokemon Stadium is the ability to play four-player battles online. Since the game was originally released in 1999 on the Nintendo 64, this wasn’t a supported feature. Indeed, as a title loved by many Nintendo 64 and Pokemon fans alike, this may just be the feature needed to incentivize a revisit.
As a side note, the second game in the series — Pokemon Stadium 2 — should launch at some point in the future, but for now, we’ll have to contend with the original. Pokemon Stadium arrives on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on April 12, so get ready to battle.
