Pokémon Stadium is the first 3D Pokémon game released in Europe. Out on Nintendo 64 on April 7, 2000, it pits all 151 first-generation Pokémon against each other in tournaments, using either your own Pokémon from Red, Blue and Yellow thanks to the Transfer Pak included in the box, or Rental Pokémon. It has been playable on Nintendo Switch Online since 2023.

Stadium City, from where you reach every mode of the game (English version).

What this guide covers

How it works

There is no adventure in Pokémon Stadium: only battles. Before each match, you see the opponent’s six Pokémon and pick three of your own. You have to win all ten trophies of Stadium mode and clear the Castle to face Mewtwo, then start all over again in the tougher Round 2. Between tournaments, the Kids Club offers nine mini-games for up to four players.

The Transfer Pak

The Transfer Pak links the game to your Game Boy cartridges. Your Pokémon battle in 3D, the Lab works as a PC and a trading machine, the GB Tower lets you play Red, Blue or Yellow on your TV, up to three times faster, and the game gives you rare Pokémon to send to your cartridge. On Nintendo Switch Online, these features are missing.

Our archives

Pokémon France tested Pokémon Stadium when it came out: our review from the time is still online, with our impressions from 2000 of the Castle, Stadium mode and the game’s secrets. Its sequel, Pokémon Stadium 2, and the first Japanese Stadium, Pocket Monsters Stadium, have their own guides too.