The Big Question Fans Have About Pokémon Stadium On Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has taken advantage of its back catalog of older titles by offering many of them as part of its Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. This has given classic gaming fans an easy way to play many of their favorite NES and SNES entries without having to invest in old hardware. Those who pay for the Expansion Pack also gain access to a "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" Booster Course Pass, "Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise," and "Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion," as well Sega Genesis and N64 games.

NSO receives new titles all the time. In fact, the recent Nintendo Direct just announced that several of the best N64 games of all time are headed to the service, including "GoldenEye 007," "Pokémon Stadium," and "Pokémon Stadium 2." Nintendo put most of the spotlight on "GoldenEye," giving the entry its own segment at the end of the presentation, but many fans are also excited to finally get to play the "Pokémon Stadium" installments on the Switch. These strategy games allow players to use some of their favorite pocket monsters to participate in 3D battles, but many wonder if the NSO versions will have all of the capabilities of the originals, such as the ability to import Pokémon.

The original "Pokémon Stadium" allowed players to use a Transfer Pak to import their team from "Pokémon Red," "Blue," and "Yellow," while the follow-up added "Pokémon Gold," "Silver," and "Crystal" to the mix. Players would simply plug their Game Boy cartridge into the Transfer Pak in the back of the controller and then they could upload their favorite Pokémon to be used in "Stadium." This was a thrilling experience for many who had worked long and hard to take their Pokémon to Victory Road. There was nothing quite like getting to see your old team members in action yet again in a brand new, 3D game. It doesn't seem that those who are playing the titles through a Nintendo Switch Online membership will have that same opportunity, however.

Sharp-eyed viewers might have noticed a small message at the bottom of the screen during the Nintendo Direct "Pokémon Stadium" announcement stating, "Pokémon cannot be transferred to these games." This makes sense, as there is no way to plug a Game Boy cartridge into the Nintendo Switch. Although there have been some leaks and rumors suggesting that Game Boy games are on their way to Nintendo Switch Online, they haven't been officially announced. It seems — at least for now — players will have to make due with the Pokémon that are preloaded on "Pokémon Stadium" and "Pokémon Stadium 2."