Pokémon Stadium 2 is packed with modes, and it is easy to get lost. Here is where to begin, how to use your Game Boy Pokémon and how to prepare for the cups and the Castle.

Pokémon Stadium 2.

Where to begin

  1. The Academy: even experienced players learn something there. The Trainer-level lessons cover the basics. See The Academy and the Other Modes.
  2. The Little Cup and the Poké Ball Poké Cup: the most approachable opponents.
  3. The Gym Leader Castle: the first Johto gyms are easy.

The Transfer Pak

Plugged into the back of the controller, the Transfer Pak lets you use your Pokémon from Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver or Crystal. Your trained Pokémon, with their moves and items, are often far more effective than the rental Pokémon. Without a Transfer Pak, the whole game is still playable with the 246 rental Pokémon.

Preparing for a cup

  • You pick six Pokémon, then three before each battle, after seeing the opposing team.
  • Cover as many types as possible with your six Pokémon.
  • Check our cup pages to learn the opposing teams in advance: Little Cup, Poké Cup, Prime Cup.
  • Win without losing a Pokémon to earn “continues”.

The threats to know

  • Sleep: Hypnosis, Spore or Sleep Powder. The Sleep Clause limits you to two sleeping Pokémon.
  • One-hit KOs: Guillotine, Fissure, Horn Drill.
  • Explosion and Self-Destruct: watch out for the Self-KO Clause, which makes you lose if your last Pokémon faints at the same time as the opponent’s.

Round 2

After the Castle and all the cups, beat the rival to unlock Round 2: the same challenges, at night, against much stronger opponents. See Rival and rewards.