The classic Nintendo 64 game Pokemon Stadium is being resurrected for Nintendo Switch Online and will feature online multiplayer. Nintendo announced that the game will be available from 12 April for Expansion Pack tier subscribers.
Originally released in Japan in 1999 and then in North America and Europe in 2000, Pokemon Stadium is a spin-off of the mainline games. Rather than a story driven, open-world experience, it focusses entirely on battling Pokemon against other trainers.
Until now, it was only possible to play Pokemon Stadium offline. The new re-release will allow players to compete against each other online in 4 player battles for the first time.
What’s more, the game’s classic offline features also return. In Stadium mode, players compete for trophies in four different Cups: Pika Cup, Petit Cup, Poké Cup, and Prime Cup. Gym Leader Castle – which pits players against the eight Kanto Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and the Champion – is also back.
Pokemon Stadium for Nintendo Switch Online will also feature the nine mini-games from the original. This includes the Drowzee themed “Snore War” and the notoriously difficult “Clefairy Says” mini-games.
The initial version of the game allowed players to connect to Game Boy Pokemon titles via the Transfer Pak accessory. Connectivity with other Pokemon games (both modern and classic) has not been confirmed for the re-release.
How To Play Pokemon Stadium on Nintendo Switch
Pokemon Stadium comes to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on 12 April. To play the game, you need to subscribe to the higher tier service.
The Expansion Pack tier is only available as an annual subscription and costs $49.99/€39.99/£34.99. It also includes other classic games from the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis consoles, as well as DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
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