Is Pokémon Bank free after 2023?

Is Pokémon Bank free after 2023?

Pokémon Bank, the popular storage and transporting service for Pokémon games, has been a subscription-based service since its launch in 2014. However, with the closure of the Nintendo 3DS eShop on March 27, 2023, the service’s fate has been a topic of speculation. In this article, we’ll explore the question: Is Pokémon Bank free after 2023?

The Answer is Yes, but with Conditions

As of March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank is no longer available for download from the Nintendo 3DS eShop. However, existing users who had downloaded the service before the deadline will be able to use it for free after the eShop’s closure. According to Pokémon’s official website and Nintendo’s official support page, Pokémon Bank will continue to be available for free download until its servers are officially shut down, which is expected to be soon.

Free Access for Existing Users

Existing users can continue to use Pokémon Bank as long as they have downloaded the service before March 27, 2023. This means that anyone who has already downloaded Pokémon Bank can use it for free to deposit, store, and transfer their Pokémon. According to a statement on GameFAQs, "The paid passes for Pokémon Bank will no longer be available for purchase after March 27, 2023, at which time Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will no longer be available to download."

What You Need to Know

Here are some key points to keep in mind when using Pokémon Bank after the eShop’s closure:

• Only existing users can access Pokémon Bank: You can only use Pokémon Bank if you have already downloaded it before March 27, 2023.
• No new users can download Pokémon Bank: Once the eShop is closed, Pokémon Bank will no longer be available for new downloads.
• Subscription passes are no longer available: After March 27, 2023, the paid passes for Pokémon Bank will no longer be available for purchase.
• Free access is only until server shutdown: Pokémon Bank’s servers are expected to be shut down soon, but existing users can continue to use it until then.

What Happened to Pokémon Home?

Pokémon Home is the newer storage service released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. It’s worth noting that Pokémon Home has its own paid subscription service called Pokémon Home Premium Plan, which allows users to access additional features. However, Pokémon Home itself is not affected by the eShop’s closure and can still be accessed for free or with a subscription.

Can I Still Transfer Pokémon Without Pokémon Bank?

Yes, you can still transfer Pokémon between games without using Pokémon Bank. To do so, follow these steps:

• Download Pokémon HOME onto your Nintendo Switch console.
• Launch Pokémon HOME and select the game you want to connect to.
• Select the user’s save data you want to access.
• Move Pokémon to and from Pokémon HOME from the main menu.

Conclusion

Pokémon Bank is indeed free after 2023, but only for existing users who had downloaded it before the eShop’s closure. New users cannot download Pokémon Bank, and the service will eventually be shut down. However, existing users can continue to use Pokémon Bank for free to store, transfer, and deposit their Pokémon.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

• Existing users can use Pokémon Bank for free after March 27, 2023.
• New users cannot download Pokémon Bank after March 27, 2023.
• Pokémon Bank’s subscription passes are no longer available for purchase after March 27, 2023.
• Pokémon Bank’s servers are expected to be shut down soon.

We hope this article has been helpful in answering the question: Is Pokémon Bank free after 2023? If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!