PokéMon Stadium, one of the three pokemon games in development for N64, was released in Japan this last fall, and was a huge success, helping the big N to regain some of its lost ground in the Japanese market. Now, with the PokéMon gameboy game released, and PokéMon rapidly gaining popularity here in the U.S.,PokéMon Stadium is set to be released here probably sometime early next year. So what is it? Imagine PokéMon, take away the battles with wild PokéMon,
the quest and storyline, add flashy graphics, and youve got PokéMon Stadium.
You first asign 4 different moves to the different "c" buttons (they can't learn more than 4 at a time) then send them into turn based, Final Fantasy style battle against the computer or your freinds. Although it seems a little strange, the genre has become reasonably popular with games like PokéMon, and Monster Rancher For the PLaystation.
The game comes with 40 PokéMon built right into the game that you can use, but PokéMon Stadium comes with a nifty little peripheral called the 64GB Pak. This device plugs into the controller slot on back of your N64 controller, allowing you to swap data between games...but only if your the happy owner of the PokéMon GB game. You can check your PokéMon's stats, battle PokéMon you've caught on the GB game, and even play your game right on your T.V. in full color!
Here's a breakdown of the games main options:
Computer (Pasokon): There are four boxes with 30 slots each on the Game Boy Pokemon cartridge, so you can save the details of 120 monsters. Since that's not nearly enough memory to store all your horde, this option allows you to transfer the info onto the cartridge itself. Transfer the monsters back and give them to your buddy.
Picture Book (Zukan): Allows the creation of an electronic "photo album" of your collection, categorizing the monsters according to the 151 different species. You can then view them in all their animated 3D polygon glory. The Zukan mode also includes maps that show the exact locations and habitats of your monsters.
Quick Look (Ichiran): For a rapid review of your collection, this option lists the monster name, type, number, techniques, and other stats. It also shows which items are stored in the computer (on the cart), so you can employ the "Use" tool to quickly select the monster you wish to put into combat.
GB (Game Boy): This function enables you to play the Game Boy Pocket Monsters game via the N64 (using the machine's controllers) on your TV screen.
Collection (Temochi): This is a database of all the monsters. Players can check out the attributes of their brood, as well as size up the opposition, and discover which attacks may be used against them in the upcoming battle.
Registration (Touroku): Import your friends' monsters and fight them as many times as you want.
Tournament (Stadium): Send your monsters into battle against computer-controlled monsters or your friends' creatures.
Considering how popular this franchise is already, it would be downright stupid for Nintendo to not release it stateside. It seems a little weird at first, but it looks to be a blast!
