Pokémon Stadium was first released in Western regions in 2000.
The Nintendo 64 strategy game had already appeared in Japan in 1999. Its Western release followed on March 6, 2000, in the United States and on April 7, 2000, in Europe. The game brought 3D Pokémon battles to home consoles.
Pokémon Stadium supports the original 151 Pokémon and connects with Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow through the Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak. Players could use compatible Game Boy Pokémon in battles, tournaments, and other modes.
A naming difference creates confusion: Japan had an earlier game called Pocket Monsters Stadium, released in 1998 with a much smaller selection of Pokémon. The international Pokémon Stadium was based on a later and expanded Japanese release. Pokémon Stadium 2 followed internationally in 2001 and added compatibility with Gold, Silver, and Crystal.