Pokemon Stadium
Reviewed by Alex
If you are 8-12 and a MAJOR Pokemon fan-don't buy this game.
I know, I know: The reviews looked cool. I mean, battling your
Pokemon that you worked to build up and great 3d textures with
awesome effects in a battling ring! Not to mention the added
bonuses: The mini games, the battles against the Elite Four people,
playing your Game Boy cart on the 64. Wow, right? Yea, well I thought
it sounded good, too. I was majorly disappointed.
Graphics: 8 out of 10
Sure it's a lousy game but I can't complain about the graphics. The
Pokemon don't make actual contact when they fight so I can't give
them credit for that (and I wish I could because the game would be
a lot better then). But the 3d animation is excellent. Although the
Pokemon scale isn't very well done (diglet is 1/4 the size of Onix,
diglett should be much smaller and that's just one of the many, many
scale misses) the individual Pokemon look great! The effects of the
attacks are fairly well portrayed-the purple background with some
of the psychic moves and that giant wave that Lapras does best.
Music and Sound: 6 out of 10
The music is definitely not something to rave about but I don't think
anyone was expecting it to be. I would expect somewhat better quality
music but I am glad they kept the basic Pokemon Game Boy music. As
far as sound goes, I liked the announcer, although he only gives about
10 messages outside of announcing Pokemon names. And after about 5
or 10 straight battles he's obnoxiously repetitive. It was a good idea though.
Game Challenge: 6 out of 10
Not an overly challenging game. The mini games are easy enough and
the battles you have with your friends will vary. The Elite Four thing
increases in difficulty as you triumph but it never becomes irritatingly hard.
Game Play-Fun: 2 out of 10
Game play is the most important part of a game and it is a major
factor to the fun of a game. The mini games are way too simple and
yet I'd rather play them than take part in the battles because the
Pokemon don't make physical contact when they fight. With the
exception of certain moves each Pokemon stays in the exact same
spot it started in until it faints. I was really, really upset about that.
Frustration
You don't become easily annoyed with this game (maybe the friend
who's really walloping you though.) It can get boring after an hour
of game time because no matter how much you do and how far you
get it's really just the same thing over and over again.
Overall: 4 out of 10
The concept of the game is great, I mean it's a really good idea. But
I don't think it was laid out very well.
Look: If you want to see Pokemon battle on the N64 and want a decent
deal for your money and some fun you're better off with Smash Brothers.
I have hopes that, with the arrival of a Game Boy cart add-on we will
have a Super Game Boy 64.