Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Pokémon Stadium, each with a link to the detailed page.
The game
Is Pokémon Stadium available on Switch?
Yes, since April 12, 2023, with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. This version doesn’t support the Transfer Pak: only rental Pokémon can be used. See Pokémon Stadium on Nintendo Switch Online.
Do you need a Game Boy cartridge to play?
No: all the tournaments can be finished with Rental Pokémon. But the Red, Blue or Yellow cartridge, plugged into the Transfer Pak, lets you use your own Pokémon, play on TV with the GB Tower and receive the gift Pokémon.
Why is the game called Pokémon Stadium 2 in Japan?
Because a first Stadium, with only about forty Pokémon, came out in Japan in 1998 and was never translated. Our Pokémon Stadium corresponds to the second Japanese game. See the differences between versions.
Are Pokémon Gold and Silver compatible?
No. Pokémon Stadium only recognizes Red, Blue and Yellow. For Gold, Silver and Crystal, you need Pokémon Stadium 2.
Why isn’t my cartridge recognized?
Check the language (the French version recognizes French cartridges), that the cartridge is properly inserted in the Transfer Pak, and turn the console off before plugging anything in. For the Lab, the game must also have been saved in a Pokémon Center. See getting started.
The tournaments
How many cups are there?
Four at the Stadium (Pika Cup, Petit Cup, Poké Cup, Prime Cup), two of which have four divisions, making ten trophies per round. On top of that there are the Gym Leader Castle and the battle against Mewtwo.
How do you unlock Mewtwo?
By winning the ten Stadium trophies and the Gym Leader Castle. Its silhouette then appears in the sky above the stadium. See Versus Mewtwo.
How do you beat Mewtwo?
Paralyze it with Thunder Wave (Electrode is ideal), then try one-hit KO moves like Fissure or Guillotine, which only work if the user is faster: paralysis makes that possible. The full method is on our dedicated page.
What is Round 2?
A second version of all the tournaments, harder and played at night, which opens after the victory over Mewtwo. You switch to it with the C Right button at the main menu. See Round 2.
Can you use Mew?
Mew is lent out in the Prime Cup in Round 2. With a Mew from a cartridge (only distributed at events at the time), it is allowed in the Prime Cup, in the Gym Leader Castle and against Mewtwo, but banned in the Pika Cup, the Petit Cup and the Poké Cup.
Where can you find the opponents’ teams?
On our cup pages, which give each trainer’s team in both rounds: Pika Cup, Petit Cup, Poké Cup, Prime Cup, as well as the Castle and the Elite Four and the Rival.
Secrets and rewards
How do you teach Surf to Pikachu?
By winning the Master Ball division of the Prime Cup in Round 2 with six Pokémon taken directly from a cartridge, including the Pikachu, selected for the final, and without saving during the cup. See Surfing Pikachu.
Which Pokémon can you receive?
After each victory over the Gym Leader Castle Rival, a random Pokémon among Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Eevee, Omanyte and Kabuto. Completing the Victory Palace earns you a Psyduck that knows Amnesia. See the rewards.
How do you unlock the Doduo and Dodrio GB Towers?
The Doduo Tower (2x speed) is obtained by winning the Poké Cup or the Prime Cup in Round 1, and the Dodrio Tower (3x speed) by winning both. See the GB Tower.
How do you unlock the Ultra level of the mini-games?
By winning five mini-games in a row in the Who Will Be the Best? mode, against three computer players set to Hard. See the Kids Club.
What is the Gallery?
A photo mode exclusive to the American version: it let you photograph your Pokémon and print stickers. It doesn’t exist in Europe.
The battles
Why does my sleeping Pokémon wake up so quickly?
Sleep lasts much less time than in the Game Boy games. Stadium also changes critical hits, Hyper Beam, Substitute and several other moves. See the battle rules.
Why is one of my Pokémon’s moves displayed in purple?
That is how the game flags a move that the Pokémon couldn’t normally have learned. The Pokémon can still battle.
Can you play with four players?
Yes, in Free Battle (in teams of two) and in the Kids Club mini-games. On Nintendo Switch Online, online play also lets you play remotely.
