From 12 April, the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Stadium will be available to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch online service.

First released in 2000, the game is a battle-based Pokémon game featuring the original 151 pocket monsters. The game becomes part of Nintendo’s growing list of Nintendo 64 classics that can be played through the Nintendo Switch online service.

However, this version of Pokémon Stadium has a big catch: it’s not possible to transfer your own Pokémon into the game. Previously, you could do this with the N64 Transfer Pak and thus send your own trained Pokémon into 3D battles. Without this feature, you have to rely on the teams provided in the game, which may be less satisfying for some players than training and battling with their own Pokémon.

Nintendo had announced the release of Pokémon Stadium for Nintendo Switch Online in September 2022. At the time, other N64 classics such as Pokémon Stadium 2, Excitebike 64 and 1080° Snowboarding were also announced for the service. To play the N64 games, you have to subscribe to the more expensive Expansion Pack, but at least GoldenEye 007 is now included.