Pok?mon Stadium 2

Pok?mon fans rejoice! Cute critters battle again on the N64, and this time there's even more for Pok?-gamers.

At a time when the flow of Nintendo 64 games is drying up faster then you can say, ?Pika, Pika,? the Pok?mon have arrived to work their magic for the console. At least Pok?mon players have something to cheer about.

Perfectly Pok?mon
Serious Pok?mon trainers are going to freak when they enter Stadium 2: You can play with all 249 Pok?mon from the Gold and Silver versions. The Pok?mon Lab showcases a new Pok?dex that displays Game Boy Pok?mon in detail, including cool full-screen close-ups and a map of their habitats. You can also visit a Pok?mon academy for in-depth info about the critters. And with a Transfer Pak (not included with the game), you can play every Game Boy Pok?mon game, including the Gold and Silver versions, on a big TV screen.

This Stadium is no pushover when it comes to challenging your trainer?s skills, either. Naturally, you and a pal can import Pok?mon for head-to-head matches. You can also pit your Pok?stable against 21 trainers from Gold and Silver, or challenge for 16 badges. Additionally, up to four players can jam buttons in 12 new mini-games: For example, you can use Mr. Mimes in a Pong-like contest to knock Pok?balls into opposing goals or race rampaging Donphans around a track. If you?re a real Pok?mon pro, you might try the ego-bruising Pok?mon quizzes.

A Stadium Built to Please
Pok?mon Stadium 2 is a solidly crafted game, too. Of course, the simple Pok?mon gameplay mechanics don?t push the controls at all, but the mini-games use every joystick switch and controller button available?and Stadium responds exactly like a star should. Nintendo didn?t just rest on the earlier Pok?mon Stadium?s graphical laurels, either. The Pok?mon images look a little sharper, and, while movement during combat remains minimal, the special-move animations have much more flair than before. Stadium?s sounds, however, aren?t going set your soul on fire. The minimal Pok?mon vocals and special move noises are kinda cool, but there?s just not much audio to go around.

The Gold and Silver Lining
If your Pok?mon safari has led you all the way into the Gold and Silver carts, then Pok?mon Stadium 2 is a perfect addition to your N64 library. It?s worth it just to be able to play your Game Boy Pok?mon games on a large screen, but you?ll find plenty of Pok?mon-pleasing goodies, too.

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