ThePokemonfranchise has had a massive influence on the world over the years, but not all of its services can last forever. Although individual games may be timeless, some parts of the franchise require constant upkeep, and it seems that Nintendo is getting ready to pull the plug on one. ThePokemon Bankapplication will no longer be available for download after next year.
Pokemon Bankis a popular Nintendo 3DS app that allows players to store and transfer up to 3,000 Pokemon from any of the Nintendo 3DS titles. This list includes theHoenn remakesPokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphireas well asPokemon XandY, which introduced gamers to the Kalos region.
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The Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of theNintendo eShop will be shutting downin March of 2023, and it appears thatPokemon Bankwill be following suit. However, players will first be able to take full advantage of the app for free.Pokemon Bankusually costs a $4.99 annual fee to use, but apparently, the app will be free after the eShop closes. Of course, gamers will no longer be able to download the app after the eShop’s closure, which means that interested players should download it sooner rather than later.
Pokemon Bankwas invaluable to long-time series fans who wanted to transfer Pokemon from earlier titles to more recent ones. Combined with thesimilar servicePokemon Home, gamers are able to transfer Pokemon from the Nintendo 3DS titles to Switch titles such asPokemon SwordandShield. Now that the Nintendo eShop is closing down, the days of this partnership are numbered. However, Nintendo claims that the app should continue to function for a while even after the eShop shuts down. As long as gamers downloaded it onto a Nintendo 3DS, they should be able to access its features for free once the eShop is closed.
Reportedly, no actual purchase will be necessaryto usePokemon Bankafter the Nintendo 3DS version of the eShop is closed. Interested gamers can just download the application now and leave it dormant until after the shop closes. It’s currently unclear how long thePokemon Bankfree service will be available for, but a Japanese-language tweet appears to state that the app will be available free for a fixed period of time. In other words, gamers who want to take advantage of this deal should move their Pokemon as quickly as possible.
