Two classic Pokemon games join Nintendo Switch library today

The August Pokemon Presents conference was chock-full of gameplay updates and surprise announcements for Pokemon fans. In addition to new details about this year’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC, The Pokemon Company treated fans to the news that two classic Pokemon games will be joining Nintendo Switch Onine later today (August 8). This includes the Pokemon Trading Card Game originally released for Game Boy Colour, as well as Pokemon Stadium 2 from the Nintendo 64.

Originally released back in 1998, Pokemon Trading Card Game tasks players with tracking down the very best Pokemon cards in order to build the ultimate deck.

The game is available to all subscribers from the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy app later today. 

It’s joined by N64 classic Pokemon Stadium 2, which is playable right now for Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers only.

In addition to the core battling system, Pokemon Stadium 2 features a selection of Pokemon-based mini-games for upwards of four players.

As a reminder, Nintendo Switch Online is available for £17.99 a year, while the Expansion Pack upgrade is available for £34.99 per year.

While NES, SNES and Game Boy titles are available with the core service, the Expansion Pack adds Mega Drive, N64 and Game Boy Advance titles. Expansion Pack members will also receive DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing and Splatoon 3.

During the Pokemon Presents conference, fans were also given a new look at the upcoming Detective Pikachu sequel.

Detective Pikachu Returns will feature a host of new and returning characters, as players investigate crime scenes and interview suspects on their way to cracking a case.

The Nintendo Switch exclusive has an October 6 release date, and is available to pre-order from the Nintendo eShop later today.

Finally, Pokemon fans were treated to an extended preview of the Scarlet and Violet DLC, including a release date for the first expansion.

Titled The Teal Mask, the first part of the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC will be available to download from September 13.