Pokémon Bank to become free when 3DS eShop service ends

The Nintendo 3DS application Pokémon Bank, which allowed you to store your Pokémon obtained in 3DS and DS games (with the assistance of Poké Transporter), will cease to be available when the 3DS eShop closes in March 2023. The tool will become free to use, because the eShop will no longer be available to accept payments, but you will no longer be able to download the application once the eShop closes.

This is a very handy tool for fans to move their Pokémon from older games into the mobile and Nintendo Switch application Pokémon HOME, so we recommend you download it if you have Pokémon from generations before Pokémon Sword and Shield. A premium HOME subscription is required to move your collection from Bank.

Unfortunately, The Pokémon Company has not given any further information about how long it will remain available after the eShop closing. You may want to ensure your favorites are safely in HOME as soon as possible.

UPDATE: This is also a good time to remind you that games like Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver and Crystal through the Virtual Console are also titles you should pick up if you’d like to have those experiences available on your 3DS console. The Switch may expand its retro offerings, but no one knows if we’ll see past Pokémon games. You can easily purchase the games through digital codes, like the ones available at Amazon through our affiliate link.

Let us know what you think about this closure, and maybe the Nintendo 3DS eShop closure as a whole! Truly the end of an era. Don’t forget to check out our Discord server, too.