Nintendo is bringing Pokemon Stadium to Nintendo Switch Online, expanding the platform’s Nintendo 64 library with the multiplayer game. Pokemon Stadium will release on April 12, 2023, for those with the Expansion Pack subscription plan.
Pokemon Stadium on Switch will feature support for online multiplayer, so you can face off against three other people in Free Battle mode. Stadium and Gym Leader Castle, the Pokemon game’s two single-player modes, also return, pitting you against the eight gym leaders of Kanto – the setting of Pokemon Blue, Red, and Yellow – and testing your mettle in four tournaments against Pokemon ranging from level one to 100.
If you’re tired of battling, you can tackle a small selection of Pokemon-themed mini-games.
This Stadium is packed and ready to rock!
Witness thrilling battles between Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium, coming to #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members on 4/12! #Nintendo64https://t.co/u98RRjxKN9 pic.twitter.com/wgYTr5rMVU
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 4, 2023
The announcement trailer didn’t mention it, but Game Boy Tower, the mode that lets you play your Game Boy games on a large screen, likely won’t make an appearance for practical reasons. You also can’t transfer Pokemon to or from Stadium anymore.
After completing the single-player modes, you have a chance to face Mewtwo and unlock Round Two, which adds new Pokemon and challenges to Stadium mode.
Pokemon Stadium spawned a direct sequel for the Nintendo 64 and then two spinoff sequels on the GameCube – Pokemon Colesseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. Whether Pokemon Stadium 2 eventually makes its way to Switch Online remains to be seen, and despite persistent rumors about GameCube games eventually coming to the subscription service, Nintendo only added Game Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries earlier in 2023.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
