These were perhaps special titles to me. This part covers the main 3d games in the series: Pokemon Stadium, Pokemon Stadium 2, Pokemon Colosseum, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokemon Battle Revolution.
First on the list is the two Stadium games. Scrapping the navigation feature seen in the handheld titles, Pokemon Stadium just went straight to the battles. The gameplay utilized the many functions of the N64 controller, even as far as using the C buttons to pick the moves. Stadium also had their own collection of minigames, especially a Simon Says-like game featuring Clefairy. The battles themselves take aver their handheld relatives, but with visuals that shows when a Pokemon gets damage, even the actions they do when using a move. The game features a mode that heavily resembles the process of R/B/Y (Pt. 1), from the Gym Leaders, all the way to the region Champion. Players can use the 6 (max) Pokemon in accordance to how the player selects them before battle. While they provide Rental Pokemon, N64 players who were lucky enough to have a GB Slot Adapter can use their handheld roster to use in the game. Stadium hosted the Kanto Region pokemon, the first 151, with Mewtwo being a special battle. It's sequel, Pokemon Stadium 2, focuses on the G/S/C (Pt. 2) roster, the 251 Pokemon.
Each title hosted different features. Owners of the GB Transfer Pak can earn a Lv. 20 Pokemon that are normally chosen only once in the handheld title, but only after the player beats the rival in Gym Leader Castle. Stadium 2 had a 3D Pokedex, new minigames, and a player of sorts that can basically allow you to pay Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, and Silver titles on the big screen (the Japanese port included Crystal as compatible.)
Succeeding this, yet at the same time original was Pokemon Colosseum, the first 3D take in Generation III games. Debuting on the Gamecube (also playable on Wii at this point), players control boy named Wes, who was a former affiliate of Team Snagem. They were responsible for creating a Snag Machine. To elaborate, the Snag Machine was an illegal creation, as it was against the rules to catch a Pokemon already owned by a trainer. The Snag Machine was made just for that very purpose, as shown on Wes' arm. Team Cipher was a group responsible for sealing the hearts of a Pokemon, giving rise to 48 shadow Pokemon. Normally not different in appearance, the Shadow Pokemon's moves are initially super effective to ones that aren't Shadow. With the help of a mysterious girl, Rui, Wes' mission was to snag and purify all Shadow Pokemon handed to trainers, running into Team Cipher along the way. Also, during game play, there were numerous ways generation II and III Pokemon could be caught. Once that was done, players can trade the pokemon obtained, including Wes' starters: Espeon and Umbreon, to Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen. Once of the many rewards was the Gold Mascot, Ho-oh, who was obtainable upon completing Battle Zones 1-100, and all Shadow Pokemon were purified. One thinng about this title though: much like the handhelds, it was focused on a new region, but didn't have any region-specific pokemon of their own. This region was called Orre.
Players would find themselves back in Orre with the succeeding title, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. Despite of similar gameplay, XD had features that were new, or expanded from Colosseum. The protagonist and cast were different this time around. Almost as tenacious as Team Rocket from Generations I and II, Team Cipher returned, this time with a seemingly immune Shadow Lugia, codenamed XD001. Shadow Lugia was the primary titular mascot of XD, with a darker, more evil appearance then that of the basic Lugia. This was one Pokemon whose appearance changed significantly as a Shadow Pokemon. Michael, the hero of XD, starts off with an Eevee, though players can evolve it to either form from Gen. I and II. What starts off as research of a new Snag Machine, created by Michael's father, Orre Pokemon Prof. Krane, turns into a mission to somehow purify XD001, rescue his father, and shut down Cipher's plans for good.
Much like Colosseum, XD had aspects of a 3D aspects of battles, with moves being chosen like the handhelds, as opposed to being set to a button. The battles for both titles compromised of mainly Double Battles. People can still trade Pokemon from XD to Gen III games, though Shadow Pokemon were to remain until they were Purified. Much like how Rui was able to detect Shadow Pokemon, Michael had the exclusive item Pokemon P★DA, which included many apps, more importantly a Shadow Monitor. With this, he was able to identify Pokemon who needed to be snagged. There was also a Pokemon Sim, a system that used verious events with certain ways to battle, perhaps a useful feature in developing strategies. A minigame, Pokemon Bingo, was also included, with a special card given to you if you rescue a Bonsly in the game. Remnants of Team Snagem are also in the game, partly connected to the plot as well. As with the last game, certain rewards are given upon completion, and with Pokespots, a unique element, players can catch regular wild Pokemon as well, though a non-catchable Munchlax occasionally appears as well.
Lastly, we have the Generation IV game. Feeling like a mix of Stadium and Colosseum/XD, Pokemon Battle Revolution for the Wii made use of the DS and Wii's Nintendo Wi-Fi properties, even to use the DS as a controller (similar to Colosseum/XD and the GBA/SP.) Those familiar with Stadium can pick this up rather easily, and follows the double battle standard placed in Colosseum/XD. The RPG aspect is once again scrapped, in favor of just getting into the battle. There was a ban of sorts for legendary Pokemon, but from what I can gather, it's lifted, albeit a few changes. Any Pokemon that had a different form will refert back to their debuting forms in Battle Revolution, while Pokemon with exclusive moves can't be used (moves like Bug Bite, debuting in Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.)
All have a fair spot in my book. Pokemon Stadium 1 and 2 gain a respectable 8, 8.5 goes to Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness, and 6.5 for Battle Revolution, which is good in is won right, but didn't have much uniqueness amonst the other 4. Next time, we get into the side games. Till next time!
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