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Pokemon Stadium Gold/Silver

Ever wonder what a battle between the latest Eevee evolution Espeon and the armored bug Heracross would really look like? Want to see the living palindrome Girafarig attack with both its heads? Can't live without seeing Slugma torch walking veggie Blissey? Good news, Pokémon fans! You no longer have to squint your eyes and stare at a Game Boy screen to see what these Pokémon will look like in battle. Pokémon Stadium Gold/Silver and Crystal is on its way.
Features

251 Pokémon.
3D polygonal battle scenes with upgraded special effects.
All-new gameplay modes, including new mini-games.
Four-player battles.
Compatible with Pokémon Blue/Red, Pokemon Yellow, Pokémon Gold/Silver and the upcoming Pokémon Crystal.
Data exchange via Transfer Pak.
Factor 5 Voice Compression.
Nintendo has finally unveiled the sequel to the Game Boy Pokémon-compatible add-on pack at its annual Spaceworld expo in Tokyo, Japan, and it's looking good so far. Unlike in the predecessor, Pokémon Stadium (Pokémon Stadium 2 in Japan), players are no longer limited to the first 151 Pokémon. In case you haven't played the original, Pokémon Stadium enables owners of the Game Boy Pokémon games to upload their creatures to the N64 cartridge and use them in battle against other Pokémon players or the computer. While playing against human players is all about bragging rights, winning the different gameplay modes against the computer rewards players with rare Pokémon, like Eevee, Kabuto, or even the elusive Surfing Pikachu. These can in turn be transferred back to the Game Boy games. The whole link-up is made possible by the Transfer Pak, a Rumble Pak-like attachment with a Game Boy cartridge slot that was included with the original game. Whereas Pokémon Stadium interfaced only with Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, this upgraded version of Pokémon Stadium not only works with the first three games, but also the brand-new Pokémon Gold and Silver as well as the upcoming Crystal game. (If you don't know what Pokémon Crystal is, be sure to pay a visit to our sister site, IGNpocket.) This means that you will be able to see every single one of Gold/Silver and Crystal's 251 Pokémon duke it out on your N64 in full 3D.

While you can still play Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver if you don't have the Game Boy games, keep in mind that the title was designed with "Pokémon transfer" in mind. Players can do battle using the game's built-in "Rental Pokémon", but it's all about seeing the creatures you captured and trained step into the limelight and beat the living daylights out of your friends' wretched monsters. Like in the original, battle commands are executed using the A, B and the C Buttons. A brings you to the attack selection screen, where you pick from your Pokémon's four featured attacks by pressing one of the C Buttons. For example, pressing C Up when using Jigglypuff triggers her song, C Down is a tackle, C Left is a fire ball attack, and so on. These attacks of course vary depending on which Pokémon you're using as well as its level of experience. In true RPG fashion, the monster type also has an impact on how much damage any given attack causes. For example, a grass Pokémon is weak against a fire Pokémon, fire attacks are strong against ice creatures, etc.

In addition to physical, hitpoint depleting damage, some attacks can also cause lasting damage. If you've played Pokémon before -- or any other RPG for that matter -- you know what to expect. Poisoned Pokemon take damage every round, confused creatures attack themselves, whereas sleeping Pokémon can't attack until something awakens them. But since Stadium doesn't have a true quest mode like the Game Boy RPGs, these effects aren't lasting. All Pokémon are miraculously cured after the battles.

If one of your Pokémon is dangerously low on hitpoints (or it is being confronted by a type of Pokémon that can easily obliterate your monster type with one attack), players can hit the B button, forfeit their turn and switch it against another one. The only catch is that you need to pick your Pokémon team before you enter the battle arena -- so if you picked only Ground-type Pokémon and your opponent is bringing out the Water type Azuremarill, you're pretty much screwed.

If you've played Pokémon Stadium, then you already know what this latest incarnation looks like. Visually, the game is only slightly improved over its predecessor. However, there are a few new modes that should capture the interest of Pokémon fans, such as the "My Room" feature. Players compete to collect items that are then stored in each Pokémon's three-dimensional room. There are also a slew new mini-games, including a Pokémon counting game and a Sprint-style overhead racing game starring Donphan.

Outlook
Like its predecessor, this one's for Pokémon fans only. It all makes sense if you've got your own copy of Pokémon for Game Boy – but anyone else will probably find the turn-based battle action less than involving. We were able to check out an almost complete version of the game at Nintendo's Spaceworld Expo. The animation routines for the new Pokémon are flawless and just as engaging as the ones for the original 151 Pokémon. The "fainting" sequences are especially impressive as no two are the same. Quite a feat for a game that stars more than 250 different creatures. On the effects side, Nintendo added a ton of new ripple, glow and shockwave effects, which are especially noticeable during the Pokeball sequences. In the end, though, this game is definitely just a deluxe version of the previous Pokémon Stadium. If that's all you're looking for, then this game delivers the goods.

The Japanese version is currently slated for a December 2000 launch. There is no word on a US version yet. for Game Boy – but anyone else will probably find the turn-based battle action less than involving. We were able to check out an almost complete version of the game at Nintendo's Spaceworld Expo. The animation routines for the new Pokémon are flawless and just as engaging as the ones for the original 151 Pokémon. The "fainting" sequences are especially impressive as no two are the same. Quite a feat for a game that stars more than 250 different creatures. On the effects side, Nintendo added a ton of new ripple, glow and shockwave effects, which are especially noticeable during the Pokeball sequences. In the end, though, this game is definitely just a deluxe version of the previous Pokémon Stadium. If that's all you're looking for, then this game delivers the goods.

The Japanese version is currently slated for a December 2000 launch. There is no word on a US version yet.

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Page Updated Sat Dec 23, 2000 5:05pm EST