This overview initially went reside in 2016, and we’re updating and republishing it to mark the sport’s arrival in the Nintendo Change On-line + Growth Pack N64 library.
After all of the groundbreaking success that Pokémon’s first technology had, it will’ve solely been clever for the powers that be to capitalise on the franchise. How was this performed? Sport Freak launched a brand new set of video games – Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal – within the late ’90s (or early 2000s, relying on the area) and this in fact meant a slew of recent monsters to catch and prepare another time. This additionally yielded new units of buying and selling playing cards, a brand new sequence of anime, new merchandise, new manga, and the whole lot in between. It is a method that is continued to work ever since, and it was solely logical that Nintendo additionally adopted swimsuit within the console division with a sequel on the Nintendo 64 – Pokémon Stadium 2.
However what’s totally different about Pokémon Stadium 2 in comparison with its predecessor? Having the second technology of Pokémon makes it a must have and winner altogether (attributable to it being this author’s all-time favorite gen), however to many this alone absolutely could not warrant a purchase order — though now it is obtainable totally free on the Nintendo Change On-line + Growth Go. We have lined the ins and outs of Pokémon Stadium in our overview of the sport, and its successor incorporates most if not the entire similar options the unique had.
With that in thoughts, Pokémon Stadium 2 could be seen as a lazy follow-up to its predecessor proper off the bat, attributable to possessing the identical sport modes and character fashions (for the primary 151 ‘mon at the very least), making it appear to be it wasn’t a complete new sport in any respect. But when there’s one factor that video games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks has taught us, it is that an amazing sport does not essentially rely upon a squeaky clear, spanking new set of belongings, however as a substitute nice gameplay to generate a memorable expertise. With that mentioned, Pokémon Stadium 2 shines in its intricate element.
As beforehand talked about, Pokémon Stadium 2’s core gameplay lies very a lot in sync with its precursor. Nevertheless, the enhancement of Pokémon’s battle mechanics that Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal introduced implies that the N64 sequel additionally benefited, thus deeper and extra intricate battles might be had. It is nothing like Pokémon of at this time, however easy enhancements akin to separating the ‘Particular’ stat into ‘Particular Assault’ and ‘Particular Defence’, the addition of two new typings (Darkish and Metal), held objects and a bigger movepool basically, implies that battles are extra ferocious than earlier than. It is like taking a sport of chess and including much more guidelines to it, which opens the floodgates for lots extra battling methods and methods. The sport’s Free Battle mode has additionally been improved from the primary Pokémon Stadium, in that totally different arenas might be chosen as a substitute of enjoying on the identical outdated grassy space. And naturally, the sport’s announcer was fueled with much more memorable quotes and phrases that stored the motion participating and pleasurable.
Identical to its prequel, Pokémon Stadium 2 does not have a narrative, and progress is made by profitable trophies within the Stadium by way of its 4 ‘Cups’, in addition to competing within the Fitness center Chief Fortress to earn badges by defeating Fitness center Leaders. It is the identical format as Stadium 1; as soon as each the Stadium and Fitness center Chief Fortress have been conquered, the participant is challenged by a rival in battle, and defeating him unlocks Spherical 2 of the sport. Though it is arguably not as cool that the ultimate battle is in opposition to a human rival and never one thing else à la Pokémon Stadium, he does possess a strong crew providing a fierce battle. As soon as Spherical 2 of Stadium and the Fitness center Chief Fortress have been cleared, the rival is to be challenged once more. He wields the identical Pokémon, however they’re considerably stronger, and taking them out is not any simple feat.
Following the lead of its handheld major sequence counterparts, Pokémon Stadium 2 presents challengers from each Johto and Kanto areas. The eight Kanto Fitness center Leaders turn into obtainable to battle in opposition to within the Fitness center Chief Fortress as soon as the Johto Fitness center Leaders have been defeated. After this, the participant is put up in opposition to Chief Blue, and at last Coach Purple in a single final epic battle. It is an effective way for the sport to remain true to its handheld counterparts by revisiting its Kanto roots and mirroring the occasions of Gold/Silver/Crystal’s journey.
A minimum of within the N64 model within the sport’s single-player modes, there is a acutely aware effort to maintain the combination with its Gold/Silver/Crystal counterparts by rewarding the participant in nifty methods to raised their handheld adventures. For instance, if the Elite 4 phase of the Johto Fitness center Chief Fortress is cleared utilizing six Pokémon from the participant’s Sport Boy cartridge, the participant is rewarded by permitting them to show a single transfer to one of many Pokémon utilized in battle that it might study in a earlier degree. As anticipated, the GB Tower additionally makes a triumphant return to Stadium 2 and presents just about the whole lot that one might count on in the event that they had been acquainted with this function from the primary sport. Nevertheless, all six handheld Sport Boy Pokémon video games (Purple, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal) may very well be performed right here by way of the Switch Pak. What number of of you instantly loaded your shiny pink Gyarados right into a battle as quickly as you acquired this sport? This author definitely did, in addition to each different shiny he caught all through his Gen II adventures (a Donphan and Stantler). The novelty of transferring your very personal caught and raised Pokémon into wonderful 64-bit illustration definitely did not appear to fade.
Equally, The Pokémon Laboratory allowed gamers to organise their handheld video games’ PC containers and entry primary details about every of their owned Pokémon, akin to strikes and stats. 3D world maps of each Kanto and Johto areas is also considered, in addition to all 251 Pokémon in 3D by way of the Pokédex. Nevertheless, it additionally included the function of buying and selling, one thing that its predecessor lacked. Pokémon may very well be traded between two Sport Boy video games inserted into two Switch Paks with out the necessity of a Hyperlink Cable, making transfers fast and environment friendly.
Happily, Stadium 2 does have the Mini-Sport Park the place you possibly can play by 12 totally different mini-games (three greater than its prequel). These video games are arguably extra enthralling than the final batch and might be performed in a extra aggressive mode referred to as Mini-Sport Champion, the place gamers compete to earn sufficient cash to turn into the victor. Followers of Mario Occasion are prone to admire the inclusion of event-based mechanics, such because the chief having to provide away their cash to different gamers ought to they lose.
New to Stadium 2 are quizzes the place the participant races in opposition to the clock to see what number of Pokémon-themed questions they’ll reply in 100 seconds. That is additionally obtainable in multiplayer, the place gamers put their reflexes to the take a look at to see who can reply essentially the most questions accurately first. The choice to decide on the query issue means a enjoyable and interesting take a look at of 1’s Poké data. One factor to notice is the particular performance that allowed gamers to make use of their very own Pokémon from their Purple/Blue/Yellow/Gold/Silver/Crystal adventures inside sure mini-games. In ‘Clear Reduce Problem’, if a participant has a Scizor put in of their Switch Pak by way of a Sport Boy cartridge, or perhaps a shiny model of any mentioned Pokémon, they can be utilized inside the sport as a substitute. It is a small however nifty function that we miss on NSO.
There are a number of extra new options on this sequel. Earl’s Pokémon Academy is an effective way for each novices and veterans to study new battle abilities in lectures, after which show these learnings in take a look at battles. The Academy additionally incorporates a library, consisting of in-depth and intensive data on Pokémon, strikes, objects, sort match-ups, and egg teams. The participant additionally has their very own room the place you possibly can (or might) have a look at your room from Pokémon Gold, Silver, or Crystal in 3D. This space might be adorned with plushies, posters, and extra. Stadium 2 additionally incorporates “Thriller Present”, a function the place a woman might give every Sport Boy cartridge (Gen II solely) a present as soon as per day. It is yet one more nice function that makes Pokémon Stadium 2 the proper complement to the primary sequence.
With the whole lot Pokémon Stadium 2 has going for it, it is controversial that Pokémon Stadium 1 nonetheless shines within the soundtrack division. Stadium 1’s music when choosing Pokémon to make use of in Free Battle Mode was grand and thrilling, and obtained gamers excited for the battle forward, whereas Stadium 2’s is a little bit mundane and infrequently made us drowsy when ready for our sibling to assemble a crew again within the day. Apart from that, until you deem your self a “Genwunner” (a time period coined for individuals who adore the primary technology of Pokémon and nothing else), there’s not a lot else — if in any respect something — that the unique does that its successor doesn’t.
Conclusion
Pokémon Stadium 2 takes the method that made its predecessor so nice and betters it with its slew of recent Pokémon, the inclusion of each Johto and Kanto areas, and contemporary options. Certain, most of its belongings are taken from the unique sport, there was no revamp in graphics, and it arguably lacked within the soundtrack division (when in comparison with the unique at the very least), but it surely does a lot extra to face out as a fairly nice sequel. It is truthful to say we have not seen a comparable 3D Pokémon battling expertise just like the final of the Stadium sequence, however here is hoping we see a real Pokémon Stadium 3 (or one thing or the kind) on a future Nintendo console.