Though the September 2021 Nintendo Direct was full of exciting trailers for upcoming games likeKirby and the Forgotten LandandBayonetta 3, arguably its biggest surprise was the announcement ofNintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games coming to Nintendo Switch Online(NSO). Granted, these will be available through a more costly “Expansion Pack,” and only a handful of titles have been confirmed for the service, but it’s still a big addition. One N64 series that should be considered down the line isPokemon Stadium.
Nine games will be added to NSO from the N64 library in late October, including classics likeSuper Mario 64,Ocarina of Time, andStar Fox 64. Beyond that launch collection, Nintendo also confirmed seven games to come, ranging fromBanjo-KazooietoKirby 64: The Crystal ShardsandF-Zero X.Pokemon Snapis also on the later additions list, which is fitting after the release ofNew Pokemon Snapearlier this year. However, even in an era of all-3DPokemongames, there are still reasons whyPokemon StadiumandPokemon Stadium 2are experiences worth bringing back.
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Pokemon Stadium as Nostalgic Representation
No doubt one of the biggest reasons why it’s worth adding thePokemon Stadiumgames to NSO is they would be huge draws for diehard fans that played them growing up. This is an argument that could be made for any title being released, including fan-favorites likeMario Kart 64andPaper Mario, but forPokemonthis is especially poignant given the retro game libraries on Switch.
It may seem silly to ask for that kind of experience when the Switch is already packed to the gills withPokemongames thanks toLet’s Go, Pikachu!andEevee!,SwordandShield, as well as the upcomingBrilliant Diamond,Shining Pearl, andLegends: Arceus. However, there is something to be said for the game’s more simplistic art style and battling, and they are historically important as some of the first titles to try and translate 2D spritework creatures into full 3D models - years prior toPokemon XandY. A big facet of theStadiumgames' appeal is transferring one’s Pokemon from Game Boy titles into 3D, which would be missing here, but there are still battle challenges one could take on using rentals.
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Minigames and Online Multiplayer
Unlike their spiritual successorPokemon Battle Revolution, the two N64Stadiumgames are also notable because of minigames included in each package. There are nine minigames inPokemon Stadium, with popular choices such as Clefairy Says acting like thePokemonequivalent of Simon Says; and there are 12 minigames inPokemon Stadium 2, many of which include then-newJohto region monsters.
None of theStadiumminigames are particularly complex, but this is part of what helped them stand out. Likeminigames inMario Partythese are easy to pick up for players of any skill level, and appealing because of the characters involved. WithMario Party 1through3also not currently confirmed for NSO’s Nintendo 64 library, the twoStadiumgames could fill a niche.
TheNSO libraries are known for giving couch co-op games online functionality- a particular boon considering the service is first-and-foremost Nintendo’s way for players to connect games over the Internet. This offers even more potential life forPokemon StadiumandStadium 2, as players would likely be able to battle one another and compete in minigames online. With COVID-19 concerns persisting in the United States especially, this would be a huge deal for fans. However, for now only time will tell whether Nintendo adds thePokemon Stadiumseries in the near future.
