With improved gameplay and addictive multiplayer, Pokemon Stadium 2 is the ultimate Pokemon game the N64 has to offer
The first Pokemon Stadium was a terrific strategy game that let you transfer Pokemon on your Game Boy to your N64 via a Transfer Pak. It was a great stand alone product itself, but its flaws prevented it from reaching "A" status (in my mind). With Pokemon Stadium 2, Nintendo addressed most of the problems in the first Pokemon Stadium (not the Japanese version, which I have yet to acquire) to make it stand above the rest. I recall getting this game back in the day in early May at Target. I enjoyed the first Pokemon Stadium, so I figured I would love this one. And I was right.
The game comes in a cool half gold half silver cartridge (representing Pokemon Gold and Silver). The game uses the Expansion Pak, for higher resolution graphics and more gameplay options. You'll definitely want to use it to get all of the gameplay a Pokefan could ever want. Like the first game, the user interface is well designed and it's easy to choose what area you want to go to.
There's a lot more in Pokemon Stadium 2 than there was in the first Pokemon Stadium. For one thing, this beastly cartridge includes ALL 251 POKEMON (!!!) from its time, four stadiums to battle in, twelve new Mario Party style mini-games, more Transfer Pak options, etc. The battling mode has been tweaked to perfection thanks to more Pokemon and more attacks. It's the same brand of ass kicking fun that was in the first Pokemon Stadium 2, only it's more fun. I love the legendary Pokemon, and using them is satisfying especially when your opponent goes down for the KO. The Gym Leader Castle has 3 battles per Gym Leader instead of four like the first game, making things less frustrating and tedious this time around. The amazing variety and attention to detail of the Pokemon makes this cartridge all worth it. There's a classroom and Library have been added for Pokefans to look at to get more info on Gold and Silver. And to top it all off, you can transfer information from FIVE POKEMON GAMEBOY GAMES (Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold and Silver (Crystal came out later, not sure about Green))!!! That's amazing for a cartridge!
Several other things have been improved. One is the graphics. The Pokemon look slightly more detailed than in the first Pokemon Stadium, but the Gym Leader arenas are MUCH more interesting. Even the abandoned Goldenrod City gym looks impressive. They look really cool, and the variety makes it better. The Pokeballs look different, and dialogue boxes of trainers (with their pictures) has been added.
The gameplay has also been improved as well. Battles rely a little less on luck, making things less frustrating. The battles are shorter and easier, but you still need to choose the right Pokemon if you want to win, and that's a-okay. The sound is also a thing Nintendo has improved. The music is better, and the announcer is less annoying and obnoxious (thank goodness). The Pokemon don't have the classic Game Boy voices, but it's not a total loss.
But what really makes this my favorite Pokemon game on the good old N64 is the much improved multiplayer. You get the four player stadium battle like the first game, but since there's more Pokemon to choose from, Pokefans will drool over in excitement as the clash at each other. The stadium battles are great fun, but even better is the Mini Game mode, which features twelve new games for you and your friends. Let me assure you that these are FAR better than those boring minigames in Pokemon Stadium 1. The Delibird game is like the Lickitung game, except you collect toys. It's crazy fun collecting Diamonds, N64's, Snorlaxes, and Game Boy Colors while trying to watch out for Swinubs. I also love the Mr. Mime game, it plays like an arcade version of soccer, Pokemon style. But my personal favorite is the stampede game, in which you count how many Pokemon are going across the road. It's easy at first, but then gets harder as you progress. My friends and I love these games. It's fun with one player and two or more players.
Also include in the Mini Game mode is a new Quiz mode, where you can answer questions that test your knowledge about Pokemon. It's a hell of a lot better than Hey You Pikachu's stupid Quiz game. You can even compete in a championship with your friends. This also goes for the mini games. You'll win coins which you can spend at a casino, which is addicting.
My one complaint is that you still have to start from the beginning of a Gym leader section if you die. I wish you could continue from your last battle, but it's not a show stopper.
As before, the graphics are fantastic and the music is great too. With Improved gameplay and addictive multiplayer, Pokemon Stadium 2 is the ultimate Pokemon game the N64 has to offer. It's wide gameplay options, awesome battling, more transfer pak options, better graphics and sound, and fantastic multiplayer make this cartridge one no Pokefan with a N64 should miss out on. As a Pokemon die hard, I can say that Nintendo pulled all the stops with this one. Even Ten years later, this cartridge has stood the test of time, and this is pretty much as must have for Pokefans. Even Casual gamers will find themselves attracted to this masterpiece.