Is it too late to use Pokémon Bank?
The answer to this question is a resounding "no". While Pokémon Bank’s paid passes will no longer be offered for purchase after March 27, 2023, the service itself will still be available to use at no cost. In fact, as of March 27, 2023, Trainers will be able to start using Pokémon Bank at no cost.
What happens when Pokémon Bank expires?
If your trial pass or annual pass expires and you do not purchase a new annual pass, the Pokémon you left deposited in your Pokémon Bank Boxes will indeed disappear after a certain period of time. However, you will still be able to transfer the Pokémon you’ve deposited in Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME even after the paid service is discontinued.
Can you still transfer Pokémon from 3DS to Home?
Yes, you can still transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME. To do so, follow these steps:
- Launch Pokémon Bank on your 3DS
- Select Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME from the main menu
- Select the Boxes you want to move to Pokémon HOME
- Press the Y Button and then select Yes
- Tap the button at the bottom of the screen to open the menu
- Select Options
- Select Move Pokémon
What happens if you put a hacked Pokémon in Pokémon Home?
If you transfer a hacked Pokémon into Pokémon HOME, it will be detected and you will not be able to move it back to Pokémon Bank. However, Pokémon Bank won’t ban you for trying to bring in a hacked Pokémon, it just won’t let you bring it over.
Will Nintendo bring back the 3DS eShop?
No, the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U are gone forever. It was bound to happen eventually, as the 3DS and Wii U have long been eclipsed by their fast-selling Switch console.
Can you still update 3DS games after eShop shuts down?
Yes, after the eShop has closed, you will still be able to redownload software and DLCs and update existing software. You will not be able to buy any software, download demos or redeem a code.
Can you transfer back to Pokémon Bank?
No, once a Pokémon from Pokémon Bank is moved into Pokémon HOME, it cannot be moved back to Pokémon Bank.
Can you get banned from Pokémon Bank?
It is unlikely that Nintendo will ban you from Pokémon Bank, as they will be losing potential future revenue once the free trial for Pokémon Bank is over.
Can I recover my Pokémon Bank?
Yes, your Pokémon Bank information is tied to your Nintendo Network ID. So, if you get a replacement 3DS, and login to your old NNID account on it, you will be able to access and withdraw your stored Pokémon (assuming the thief did not otherwise mess with them).
How much does it cost to transfer Pokémon from bank to home?
Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME requires a Pokémon Home Premium Plan, which costs $2.99 for one month (30 days), $4.99 for three months (90 days), and $15.99 for one year (365 days).
Can you trade Pokémon from Pokebank to Pokémon HOME?
Yes, Pokémon HOME offers two subscription plans: Free and premium. If you have the latter, you can bring Pokémon stored in the Pokémon Bank application on Nintendo 3DS over to Pokémon HOME.
Can you trade Pokémon from bank to home?
Yes, Pokémon HOME will search for a Pokémon Bank account under the same Nintendo Account name, and if it finds one, will transfer over all of your Pokémon Bank Pokémon at once.
Free Pokémon Bank
So, you basically have until March 2023 to make sure you’ve downloaded Pokémon Bank on your 3DS, or you’re plum out of luck. Pokémon Bank was limited to the 3DS family of consoles, and Pokémon Home popped up a few years back in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch.
In Conclusion
Pokémon Bank is now usable at no cost due to the discontinuation of Nintendo eShop service for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. While some limitations may apply, you can still transfer Pokémon from 3DS to Home, and you can still use Pokémon Bank to store your Pokémon. So, it’s not too late to use Pokémon Bank.