Nintendo Switch Online Surprises Fans with 2 Beloved Pokemon Classics - Available Now!

Highlights

Pokemon Trading Card Game and Pokemon Stadium 2 will be available to play on Nintendo Switch Online later today.

The Pokemon Trading Card Game can be accessed through the basic Nintendo Switch Online service, while the Expansion Pack add-on is needed to play Pokemon Stadium 2. While fans are thrilled about these new inclusions, the lack of ability to transfer Pokemon from Game Boy games to Pokemon Stadium 2 may be a letdown for some.

The Pokemon Company has confirmed that the classic Pokemon video games, Pokemon Trading Card Game and Pokemon Stadium 2, will be accessible for play on the Nintendo Switch Online service today. Pokemon Trading Card Game will be available on the basic version of the service, while Pokemon Stadium 2 will require users to have the Expansion Pack add-on since it is an Nintendo 64 game.

Nintendo Switch Online, along with its Expansion Pack, offers Switch gamers the opportunity to play various classic Nintendo games from the past. Interestingly, there are already a few Pokemon games available to play through this service, including Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Puzzle League, and the original Pokemon Stadium game.

Now Pokemon enthusiasts can enjoy a wider selection of Pokemon games through Switch Online and its Expansion Pack. If you're not familiar with these titles, the Pokemon Trading Card Game is a digital adaptation of the popular real-life Pokemon TCG, which garnered mostly positive reviews upon its initial release. On the other hand, Pokemon Stadium 2 primarily focuses on exhilarating Pokemon battles, but it also offers an array of enjoyable mini-games for players to compete in. Starting today, August 8, Pokemon Trading Card Game will be available to Switch Online subscribers, while Pokemon Stadium 2 can only be accessed by those who have purchased the Expansion Pack.

New Switch Online Games August 2023

Pokemon Trading Card Game

Pokemon Stadium 2 (Expansion Pack only)

Many Pokemon enthusiasts will certainly be thrilled at the opportunity to experience these classic Pokemon games once again with their Switch Online and Expansion Pack subscriptions. However, there may be some disappointment among fans regarding the absence of Pokemon transfer in Pokemon Stadium 2. A highly significant feature in the original Pokemon Stadium 2 was the capability to transfer Pokemon from Game Boy games to the N64 cartridge. Unfortunately, this feature has been lost in the Switch Online versions, just as it was in the original Pokemon Stadium.

Furthermore, as of now, the main series Game Boy Pokemon games are not even available to play through Switch Online. Pokemon aficionados have eagerly anticipated the inclusion of Generation 1 games such as Red, Blue, and Yellow, as well as Generation 2 games including Gold, Silver, and Crystal. However, at the time of writing, none of these games have been confirmed for availability on Switch Online.

The main series Pokemon games from the Game Boy era may potentially be added to Switch Online in the future, but there are no guarantees. However, Pokemon fans can still enjoy several games from the series on Switch Online, including Pokemon Trading Card Game and Pokemon Stadium 2 as of today.