Can You Use Pokémon Bank to Complete Your Pokédex? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: It depends! Pokémon Bank can significantly aid in completing certain Pokédexes, but it cannot directly complete all of them. It is a storage system, not a Pokédex completion tool. Let’s dive into the specifics.
Understanding Pokémon Bank and Pokédex Completion
Pokémon Bank is a service that allows you to store your Pokémon in online boxes. It’s essentially a cloud-based storage system for your beloved creatures, acting like the in-game PC, but across multiple Nintendo 3DS titles. This is critical when attempting to complete a National Pokédex that spans across multiple generations. However, the nuances lie in how you plan to complete your Pokédex and which games you’re focusing on.
Regional vs. National Pokédex
The key distinction lies between Regional Pokédexes and the National Pokédex.
- Regional Pokédex: This focuses on Pokémon available within a specific game’s region. For example, the Kalos Pokédex in Pokémon X and Y, or the Alola Pokédex in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Certain Regional Pokédexes have restrictions. For instance, in Pokémon X and Y, transferred Pokémon via Pokémon Bank do not count toward the completion of the Kalos Pokédex. This means that you must capture Pokémon born within the Kalos region to obtain the Oval Charm or Shiny Charm.
- National Pokédex: This strives for a complete list of all known Pokémon at the time. Pokémon Bank is incredibly helpful for compiling a National Pokédex, allowing you to transfer creatures from various games into one place. But, simply having a Pokémon in Pokémon Bank doesn’t automatically register it in your target game’s Pokédex. You must still transfer the Pokémon to the game in question.
How Pokémon Bank Helps (and Doesn’t Help)
Pokémon Bank facilitates the transfer of Pokémon between compatible games. This means you can catch a Pokémon in Pokémon X, transfer it to Pokémon Bank, and then transfer it again to Pokémon Ultra Sun. This is an invaluable tool for bringing rare or version-exclusive Pokémon into your game.
However, Pokémon Bank doesn’t automatically register Pokémon in your target game’s Pokédex merely by their presence in storage. You still need to receive them into your party or a PC box in the target game to trigger the Pokédex entry.
The Role of Poké Transporter
For older games like Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 (Generation 5), and the Virtual Console versions of Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal, you can’t directly transfer to Pokémon Bank. This is where Poké Transporter comes in. Poké Transporter allows you to transfer Pokémon from these older games into Pokémon Bank, which then enables transfer to compatible newer games.
Pokémon HOME: The Modern Storage Solution
It is important to understand that Pokémon HOME has largely replaced Pokémon Bank as the primary Pokémon storage and transfer service. While Pokémon Bank is still functional (and free), it’s mainly used to move Pokémon from the 3DS games up to Pokémon HOME. From there, you can transfer them to compatible Nintendo Switch titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with certain limitations. Keep in mind that a Pokémon must be present in a given game to be transferred into it. For example, Greninja is not available in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, thus, you cannot transfer it into those games.
Legacy and Limitations
Remember that Pokémon Bank’s paid service ended in March 2023, making it free to use. While this is great, it’s also a sign of its legacy status. Nintendo is transitioning users to Pokémon HOME. You can still use Pokémon Bank to move your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME, but don’t expect continued support or new features.
Pokémon Bank and the eShop Closure
The Nintendo 3DS eShop closure significantly impacts Pokémon Bank. While you can still use Pokémon Bank if you already downloaded it, you cannot download it after the eShop’s closure. So, if you haven’t downloaded it yet, it’s unfortunately too late.
Important Considerations
- Compatibility: Always check which games are compatible with Pokémon Bank and Pokémon HOME. Not all games are supported.
- Restrictions: Some Pokémon cannot be transferred between certain games due to compatibility or gameplay restrictions.
- National Pokédex Completion: While Pokémon Bank and Pokémon HOME are invaluable for completing the National Pokédex, remember that you still need to register the Pokémon in each game’s Pokédex individually.
- Regional Forms: Regional variants of Pokémon (like Alolan Vulpix or Galarian Ponyta) will have different Pokédex numbers and will often be considered different Pokémon for completion purposes.
Conclusion: A Powerful Tool with Specific Applications
Pokémon Bank is a powerful tool for Pokémon collectors, breeders, and completionists, particularly when transitioning Pokémon between 3DS games and ultimately Pokémon HOME. It’s especially helpful when you wish to start a new game and have access to your Pokémon right away. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. It won’t automatically complete your Pokédex; it’s a storage and transfer mechanism. Use it strategically in conjunction with actual gameplay to achieve your Pokédex completion goals. It is no longer available for download as of the eShop closure, but is now completely free to use. Remember to consider Pokémon HOME as your primary future storage solution.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still download Pokémon Bank?
Unfortunately, no. With the closure of the Nintendo 3DS eShop, Pokémon Bank is no longer available for download. If you had it downloaded previously, you can still use it.
2. Is Pokémon Bank free to use now?
Yes! After the Nintendo 3DS eShop was discontinued, Pokémon Bank became free for all users who had previously downloaded it.
3. What games are compatible with Pokémon Bank?
Pokémon Bank is compatible with:
- Pokémon X
- Pokémon Y
- Pokémon Omega Ruby
- Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
- Pokémon Sun
- Pokémon Moon
- Pokémon Ultra Sun
- Pokémon Ultra Moon
4. How do I transfer Pokémon from older games (like Pokémon Diamond) to Pokémon Bank?
You can’t directly transfer from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, HeartGold, or SoulSilver. You first need to transfer them to Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, or White 2 using the Pal Park feature (Gen 4 to Gen 5), then use Poké Transporter to move them to Pokémon Bank.
5. What is Poké Transporter?
Poké Transporter is a separate application that works with Pokémon Bank. It’s used to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 to Pokémon Bank.
6. How many Pokémon can Pokémon Bank hold?
Pokémon Bank can hold up to 3,000 Pokémon, with 100 boxes that can each hold 30 Pokémon.
7. Will Pokémon Bank be replaced?
Yes, it has essentially been replaced by Pokémon HOME on the Nintendo Switch. Pokémon HOME is the modern storage and transfer solution for Pokémon games.
8. How do I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME?
You’ll need both Pokémon Bank on your 3DS and Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch, as well as a Premium Plan. Follow the instructions within Pokémon HOME to initiate the transfer from Pokémon Bank.
9. Does Pokémon HOME cost money?
Pokémon HOME has a free and a premium tier. The free tier has limited storage and features. The Premium plan offers more storage and functionality.
10. Can I use Pokémon Bank to evolve Pokémon?
No, Pokémon Bank is purely a storage and transfer system. It does not affect Pokémon evolution.
11. Can I complete the Kalos Pokédex in Pokémon X/Y using Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Bank?
No. Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Bank do not count toward the completion of the Kalos Pokédex. You need to catch Pokémon originating from the Kalos region to complete it.
12. What happens to my Pokémon in Pokémon Bank if I don’t transfer them?
Since Pokémon Bank is now free, your Pokémon will remain in your Pokémon Bank storage indefinitely, as long as the service remains active.
13. Is Pokémon Bank linked to my Nintendo account?
Yes, Pokémon Bank is linked to your Nintendo Network ID (NNID) on the Nintendo 3DS. Make sure the same NNID is linked to your Nintendo Account for smooth transfers to Pokémon HOME.
14. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus to Pokémon Bank?
No, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a Nintendo Switch game and is not compatible with Pokémon Bank. It is only compatible with Pokémon HOME.
15. Can I use Pokémon Bank to get a Shiny Charm?
To get a Shiny Charm, one must first have a completed Regional Pokedex. As stated above, you can’t use Pokemon from Pokemon Bank to fill a Regional Pokedex.