Pokemon Bank users report app not working after closing 3DS eShop.
On March 27, the 3DS eShop unfortunately closed its virtual doors for good, as Nintendo announced last year. The Pokemon Company has always maintained that the Pokemon Bank app will work after the eShop shuts down, but now users are reporting that the app no longer works properly.
The report comes from ResetEra, where several users claim that the app tells them that their “transfer pass has expired” and therefore they cannot use the app. This is potentially a big deal, as it could lock all Gen 5 and earlier Pokemon games into virtual cross-system limbo.
Remember that all new Pokemon Bank downloads are now stopped. As The Pokemon Company reminded users in Blood (opens in a new tab) Earlier today, the service is no longer available to newcomers due to the eShop going offline, but should still be operational as usual for existing customers.
Pokemon Bank is a feature that basically allows you to transfer creatures between multiple platforms and devices. So you can send a Charizard through Pokemon Sword and Shield, or an Eevee through Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX, and many other games.
That’s why the possibility of Pokémon Bank failing is such a big deal for long-time Pokémon players. However, in the ResetEra thread, some users are warning others not to panic because it’s only been a few hours since the eShop was shut down, after all, and The Pokemon Company might just be working on a new fix.
Still, you can see why this is a bit of a concern for hardcore Pokemon players. Last year in February, Pokemon Bank went free after previously costing an annual subscription fee of $4.99. With the app opening up to everyone, you have to imagine more Pokemon Bank users than ever before are freaking out now that their creatures might be lost in the void.
Take a look at our next switch games guide to see what the future holds for the Pokémon franchise.