History VideoGAME / PokemonStadium

* CurbStompBattle: "It was casually cast aside." (defeat a foe in one hit with a NVE move)

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/6180_front_1.jpg]]

A series of battle-focused console games in the ''{{Pokemon}}'' series. They are all compatible with the corresponding handheld games in the series, though they can be played in a limited capacity without those games. Current games in the series are:

** Completing the Master Cup in the original with a Pikachu in your party will give the player an opportunity to make Pikachu learn Surf. When Pikachu uses Surf in the game, it will [[SurferDude use a surfboard]] in the move animation, while its evolved form Raichu will ride on its tail. In ''Pokémon Yellow'', the overworld Surfing sprite will change to Pikachu on a surfboard. It will also allow the player to play an ExciteBike clone called "Pikachu's Beach" in a house south of Fuschia City. As a CallBack to this, in ''Battle Revolution'', Surfing Pikachu can be unlocked as a Mystery Gift by completing the game.

* Notably, Generation V completely ''lacked'' any kind of Stadium title - the online battling was now handled by the DS games themselves. This has continued into Generation VI and VII, with no Stadium-esque title announced for the UsefulNotes/WiiU, and with the storage utility, ''Pokemon Bank'', being a separate app for the 3DS. With the main series handheld games now featuring high quality 3D graphics, it would seem that there would be little point to doing so.

* StockFootage:
** Pay close enough attention to every game in the series and you'll notice that they only ever create new models for the new Pokémon. Even in the latest games, Gen I Pokémon still have the same animations as they did in the first ''Stadium'' game.
** Despite using the same models, ''Battle Revolution'' offered texture and special effects updates to the older Pokémon.

* ActionBomb: The Super Nerds in ''Pokémon Stadium 1'' uses an entire team of pokemon that uses Self-Destruct or Explosion as his main strategy for Petit Cup and Gym Leader Castle. The male Rocket Grunt also uses this strategy in Pokemon Stadium 2's Gym Leader Castle. Both of them are aware of the self-destruct clause, and won't blow up their last pokemon though.

* Notably, Generation V completely ''lacked'' any kind of Stadium title - the online battling was now handled by the DS games themselves. This has continued into Generation VI and VII, with no Stadium-esque title announced for the UsefulNotes/WiiU, and with the storage utility, ''Pokemon Bank'', being a separate app for the 3DS.

* WarmupBoss: In ''Stadium 2'''s Johto Gym Leader Castle, Jasmine of the Olivine Gym serves as the warmup boss since she will switch out her Pokémon to get the advantage on you plus her team is more varied unlike previous trainers and Gym Leaders. If you plan/react wrongly to Jasmine's switching, she will have the advantage and can defeat you. Though if you anticipate and react to her switching correctly, she can be pretty easy especially if you exploit her team's weaknesses. Jasmine basically reminds you that your future opponents can switch their Pokémon on you to give themselves the advantage over you.

* {{Irony}}: For all the underleveled, illegally obtainable fully evolved pokemon in Pika Cup, such as Dugtrio, Electrode, Tentacruel, Muk, Golem, Machamp, Dragonair, Dewgong, as well as the Dragon Rage users in such a low level setting, the most powerful, insurmountably difficult, and mercilessly destructive enemy pokemon you fight in Pika Cup is not only legally obtainable, but one of the easiest pokemon to acquire; a Level 20 Alakazam with Psychic and Thunder Wave. While some of the "illegally obtained" pokemon can be challenging for rentals, the Level 20 Alakazam is the only pokemon in the entire cup that is ''genuinely impossible to beat'' with Rental Pokemon barring miraculous freeze hax that you'll only have one chance at pulling off or else you die. The guides even recommends the player to just use the transfer pack, or pray that you face the level 20 Dragonair instead.

** This generation got the ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' games instead of new ''Stadium'' games. While they did include some elements of the ''Stadium'' games, and included the ability to wage battles between GameBoyAdvance versions of ''Pokémon'' on the TV, they had their own stories and included less of the utility and tournament functions of the ''Stadium'' games. (The utilities were put into ''Pokémon Box''.)

* ActionBomb: The Super Nerds in Pokemon Stadium 1 uses an entire team of pokemon that uses Self-Destruct or Explosion as his main strategy for Petit Cup and Gym Leader Castle. The male Rocket Grunt also uses this strategy in Pokemon Stadium 2's Gym Leader Castle. Both of them are aware of the self-destruct clause, and won't blow up their last pokemon though.

* BaldOfEvil: The Gamblers in the first Stadium game. [[OneHitKO You know]] [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard why they're evil]].

** In the Pika Cup in the first game, some of the trainers have Pokemon that cannot be obtained at their level in that generation. For example, Hiker (Round 1) and Swimmer (Round 2) have a Seadra at level 15 and 17, respectively. The minimum level a Seadra can be legitimately obtained in Gen 1 is at level 20 in the Yellow version.
** There is also a large amount of trainers' Pokemon that have move combinations that are illegal and impossible to obtain. Should you attempt to use a Pokémon who knows a move they shouldn't, the game has a mechanism in place that prevents you from doing so. In other words, [[{{Hypocrite}} the game can cheat as much as it wants, but you're punished for it.]]

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: "Questionable" animations of some Pokémon, such as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8GowiJe4Q Flareon's]] [[{{Mooning}} butt-shaking taunt]] when idle and Nidoqueen's [[FanService body-swaying taunt]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7hQY-4anc Magnemite's]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaP2auFHHhk Magneton's]] fainting animation, where they go into a spasm then [[CriticalExistenceFailure fall apart]]. As noted above, Nidoqueen's animation is, in fact, a {{Bowdlerize}}d version of her [[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdgxjwN6dV1r3w0j4.gif original Japanese animation]].

* LargeHamAnnouncer:
** The ''Stadium 1/2'' announcer is very dramatic:
--> "GUILLOTINE!"
--> "''OH!! It's [Pokemon name]!''"
--> "RIDE THAT SURF!"
--> "SAVAGE ATTACK"
--> "TAKEN DOWN ON THE WORD GO!!!"
--> "IT'S A ONE-HIT WONDER!"
** Taken UpToEleven in 2 when a one-hit KO move hits:
--> "GRAAAAAND SLAAAM!!!"
** The ''Battle Revolution'' announcer gets worked up a lot:
--> "RRRRIPPED BY ROAR OF TIME!"
--> "IMMOLATED BY BLAST BURN"
--> "JUDGEMENT HAS BEEN DEALT!"
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBDGSQ_-_4&feature=related The Japanese announcer]] is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8mg7UjASMI&feature=related quite excited]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA6973762B102021B Some more announced moves]] (from ''Battle Revolution'')

** Chance is ''very'' strongly stacked in the computers favor. To name a few examples, unlike the player, the computer will have a much higher chance of a critical hit than normal, inaccurate moves like Dynamic Punch and Zap Cannon will strike you far more often than normal, status-affecting moves will have a much higher chance of inflicting a status on you, when the computer uses a move that increases their evasiveness, you'll almost ''never'' be able to strike them, even after it uses the move just once, if you manage to inflict a status move on your opponent, they will almost ''never'' be affected and they'll be able to attack far more than you despite the status. The worst part about all of this though is that it isn't even something that happens just in round 2. This happens ''very'' often in round 1, usually against Chuck and the Elite Four, making the easier round 1 appear to be far harder than it should be at times.

** Chance is strongly stacked in the computer's favour and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking their Pokémon have nicknames with numbers in them, otherwise impossible until Gen. III]].

** This generation got the ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' games instead of new Stadium games. While they did include some elements of the Stadium games, and included the ability to wage battles between GameBoyAdvance versions of ''Pokémon'' on the TV, they had their own stories and included less of the utility and tournament functions of the ''Stadium'' games. (The utilities were put into ''Pokémon Box''.)

** ''Pokémon Battle Revolution'': A Wii game, compatible with ''Diamond'', ''Pearl'', ''Platinum'', ''[=HeartGold=]'', and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' versions. Developed by Creator/GeniusSonority, the same team behind the ''Colosseum'' games. Not technically a Stadium game, but it counts here because of its return to the battle focus of those games- more so in fact, as it lacked the minigames and any sort of storage (which would end up in ''VideoGame/MyPokemonRanch''). Featured several different battle styles, CharacterCustomization, and the ability to battle random opponents over the internet.

* WarmupBoss: In Stadium 2's Johto Gym Leader Castle, Jasmine of the Olivine Gym serves as the warmup boss since she will switch out her Pokémon to get the advantage on you plus her team is more varied unlike previous trainers and Gym Leaders. If you plan/react wrongly to Jasmine's switching, she will have the advantage and can defeat you. Though if you anticipate and react to her switching correctly, she can be pretty easy especially if you exploit her team's weaknesses. Jasmine basically reminds you that your future opponents can switch their Pokémon on you to give themselves the advantage over you.

*** If the player is using Pokémon Yellow, the player will be able to play as Pikachu in ''Pichu's Power Plant''.

* NeverSayDie: Averted.

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: The games are quite notorious for this.

** Completing the Master Cup in the original with a Pikachu in your party will give the player an opportunity to make Pikachu learn Surf. When Pikachu uses Surf in the game, it will [[SurferDude use a surfboard]] in the move animation, while its evolved form Raichu will ride on its tail. In Pokémon Yellow, the overworld Surfing sprite will change to Pikachu on a surfboard. It will also allow the player to play an ExciteBike clone called "Pikachu's Beach" in a house south of Fuschia City. As a CallBack to this, in ''Battle Revolution'', Surfing Pikachu can be unlocked as a Mystery Gift by completing the game.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: "Questionable" animations of some Pokémon, such as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8GowiJe4Q Flareon's]] [[{{Mooning}} butt-shaking taunt]] when idle and Nidoqueen's [[FanService body-swaying taunt]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7hQY-4anc Magnemite's]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaP2auFHHhk Magneton's]] fainting animation, where they go into a spasm then [[CriticalExistenceFailure fall apart]].
** As noted above, Nidoqueen's animation is, in fact, a {{Bowdlerize}}d version of her [[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdgxjwN6dV1r3w0j4.gif original Japanese animation]].

%%* NeverSayDie: Averted.

* NoFairCheating: The game highlights moves a Pokémon shouldn't learn in pink. This becomes most obvious in Generation 1, when trading from Generation 2, where Pokemon can learn moves they can't in earlier games, so it'll use the pink highlights even if the Pokemon is, in fact, completely legit. Fortunately, this doesn't actually affect your ability to battle.
** Battle Revolution prevents the uploading of anything it reads as hacked-it turns the hack into a bad egg. Potentially annoying if it's legit but has a special event move that makes the game think it's hacked.

* OldSaveBonus: The games are all very difficult without one of the handheld games, as the rental Pokémon usually have very poor movesets. Using a handheld game makes each game much easier.

!!The announcer has unique chatter for the following

* CaptainObvious: "The Pokémon are entirely different types!"

** "What's the matter, trainer?"

* HowMuchMoreCanHeTake: From Stadium 2 where the last surviving Pokémon on each side wittle their HP down to critical levels:

* IncrediblyLamePun: The Revolution announcer likes to make these depending on the Pokemon and/or moves that were just used. These are just a few examples you'll hear:

* {{Irony}}: "Such irony ... Its ''own teammate'' was the only one to go down!"
** Earthquaking with a weak partner while both opponents are using Protect will do that.
* NoPronunciationGuide: "OH! It's Niddorun Male!"

* WhatTheHellPlayer: "What would make it attack its OWN TEAMMATE?" In ''Battle Revolution.''

* YouCanBarelyStand: "One looks raring to go, but the other appears weak!"
** "It's barely hanging on!" In ''Battle Revolution''.

*** If the player has a Crobat, the player will be able to play as Crobat in ''Gusty Golbat''
*** If the player has a Scizor, the player will be able to play as Scizor in ''[=ClearCut=] Challenge''
*** If the player has a Girafarig, the player will be able to play as Girafarig in ''Furret's Frolic''
*** If the player has an Omanyte, the player will be able to play as Omanyte in ''Tumbling Togepi''
*** If the player has an Igglybuff, the player will be able to play as Igglybuff in ''Streaming Stampede''
*** If the player is using Pokémon Yellow, the player will be able to play as Pikachu in ''Pichu's Power Plant''

* Generation IV ({{Wii}})

* Notably, Generation V completely ''lacked'' any kind of Stadium title - the online battling was now handled by the DS games themselves. This has continued into Generation VI and VII, with no Stadium-esque title announced for the WiiU, and with the storage utility, ''Pokemon Bank'', being a separate app for the 3DS.

* MythologyGag: The Gym Leaders' castle sections reflect a certain AscendedExtra pair from the anime. Brock in the first game (Round 1) has a Vulpix and has a Forretress in the second game. Misty in the second game (Round 1) has a Togetic.
** Forretress is an odd case of foreshadowing, as Brock's Pineco hadn't evolved yet in the anime at the time ''Stadium 2'' was released.

** There's also a few {{Secret Character}}s in ''Pokémon Stadium 2'''s minigames that are unlocked if the player has a certain Pokémon in thier party or box.

** ''Pokémon Battle Revolution'': A Wii game, compatible with ''Diamond'', ''Pearl'', ''Platinum'', ''[=HeartGold=]'', and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' versions. Developed by Creator/GeniusSonority, the same team behind the ''Colosseum'' games. Not technically a Stadium game, but it counts here because of its return to the battle focus of those games- more so in fact, as it lacked the minigames and any sort of storage (which would end up in ''[[MyPokemonRanch My Pokémon Ranch]]''). Featured several different battle styles, CharacterCustomization, and the ability to battle random opponents over the internet.

* Generation I ({{Nintendo 64}})

* Generation II ({{Nintendo 64}})

* GoodThingYouCanHeal: The Scientist in the Prime Cup sometimes specializes in moves like Recover, Rest, and Leech Seed. He is fairly tame in round 1 Great Ball, with some minor annoyances like Porygon, though Reflect Chansey can be a right pain, but in Round 2 Prime Cup Ultra ball, he is possibly the most annoying enemy, as he has Starmie, Alakazam, and Porygon with Recover, Chansey with Aoftboiled, Snorlax with Rest, and Exeggutor with Leech Seed, all with buffed stats and Pokémon compared to Round 1.

** There is also a large amount of trainers' Pokemon that have move combinations that are illegal and impossible to obtain. Should you attempt to use a Pokémon who knows a move they shouldn't, the game will prevent you from doing so.