POCKET MONSTERS STADIUM
Copyright © Nintendo
Nintendo 64
Simulation / Fighting
1-2 Players
NUS-R-CPSJ
¥7,800
Available in Japan
Where to buy
—by Maria M. Rider
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If the POKÉMON Game Boy games were not enough to satiate your
addiction, Nintendo has made another game to feed your frenzy: POCKET
MONSTER STADIUM. Not yet available in the states, this game is a 3D version of the popular POKÉMON game, with
a focus on the battle aspect of POKÉMON.
The basic goal of the game is to battle other Pokémon Trainers, or another
player using a 30 Pokémon base. This game comes with an unique extra, an attachment called
the Game Boy 64, which utilizes the input port of the N64 controllers. The
64GB pack allows the player to use their personally trained Pokémon from the
original Game Boy game, but now they appear fully rendered in 3D and in
color! This only works, however, with the Japanese versions of the Game Boy
games. The 64GB pack also allows the player to play regular Pokémon through
an option provided on the menu screen. (And of course, it's in color.)
The main game itself has the player battling in different tournaments of
varying difficulties with the computer. There are two level mode difficulties:
Levels 1-30 and Levels 50+. The difficulty and type of tournament is determined
by what level the player's Pokémon is. The battle takes place in a stadium,
indoor or outdoor, where an announcer gives the play-by-play of the battle. As the
game progresses, the crowd cheers or jeers depending on your performance.
After each round is won, the player wins 1 of 8 total badges, just like in
the original Game Boy game. There are six regular rounds, a semi-final
round, and then the Final Round. Included in the game, of
course, is the most popular Pokémon of all, Pikachu, as well as many other
familiar Pokémon: Gengar, Starmie, and even Chansey. The Pokémon themselves
do not mimic their anime counterparts in voice; instead, the POKÉMON STADIUM
Pokémon just has a generic monster sound associated with each of them.
POKÉMON STADIUM has a high replay value, since the player has 151 possible
Pokémon to choose from. And of course, taking on a second player allows for
even more fun. The 3D graphics are awesome and the game itself makes it
appear like you are in an actual sports event. Although the game becomes
limited if the player does not have a Japanese version of one of the Pokémon
Game Boy games, it is still enjoyable to watch as well as play. If you are
a big Pokémon fan, this is a game you have to get for your collection. You
won't be
disappointed! 
Rating: **** out of 4 |
