Pocket Monsters Stadium (ポケモンスタジアム)

Game Details:

Developer: Nintendo & HAL Labs
Publisher: Nintendo / The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date(s): August 1st, 1998 (JPN)
Mode(s): Single Player, Mulitplayer
Rating(s): CERO: A (JPN)
Controller(s): Nintendo 64 Controller, Transfer Pak
Extra Contents: Stadium Main Page

Description:

Pokémon Stadium (ポケモンスタジアム) was the first Pokémon Stadium game to be released in Japan on August 1, 1998 for 6,800 yen and it was never released in any other country.

Story/Information:

Pocket Monsters Stadium is divided into two main modes: Free Battle and Tournaments. Both modes have specific rules for participating Pokémon.

Free Battle:
Free Battle mode is open to any Pokémon and allows players to practice for the tournament mode. Players register their Pokémon before the battle and as they are defeated in battle, replacements from the selected pool can be sent out. The goal of the mode is to defeat the opponent while having at least one battle able Pokémon remaining.

Tournament:
L1 ~ 30 tournaments and L50 ~ 55 tournaments are the two main modes that this option is divided into. Each tournament mode allows players to only use Pokémon in that level range. There are 8 tournament rounds that the player must play through and defeat a CPU controlled opponent to win the tournament.

Available Pokémon in the Game:
Pocket Monsters Stadium did not feature all the available Pokémon from the first generation. Only 42 Pokémon are availalbe in the game and they are listed below.

Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Beedrill, Fearow, Pikachu, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Dugtrio, Primeape, Arcanine, Alakazam, Machamp, Golem, Magneton, Cloyster, Gengar, Onix, Hypno, Electrode, Exeggutor, Chansey, Kangaskhan, Starmie, Scyther, Jynx, Tauros, Gyarados, Lapras, Ditto, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Dragonite, Mewtwo, Mew

Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak
The Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak was compatible with Pocket Monsters Stadium and it plugged into a Nintendo 64 controller which allowed the transfer of data between Game Boy and Nintendo 64 games. Both Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2 also rely on the Transfer Pak to transfer Pokémon from the Game Boy packs to the Nintendo 64 and back again. The 64GB Pack (６４ＧＢパック) as it was called in Japan, was bundled with Pocket Monsters Stadium but it could also be purchased separately for 1400yen.

Pocket Monsters Stadium has a few 64GB Pack required modes which increases the features in the game. The Transfer Pak and a Pokémon Red, Blue or Green must be plugged in for these options to become unlocked. The Zukan (図鑑) feature allows players can view their dex info in full 3D. GB Trade and GB Battle allow players to use the Pokémon from their GameBoy games on the Nintendo 64 to either trade with another player or battle another player in 3D.