Topic: Will I need my 3DS to link my pokemon to the switch version or can I get rid of it?

Been wanting to ditch my 3DS for a while, was just curious if I'll need it in some way to move my pokemon to the upcoming pokemon on the switch.

Probably? Maybe? Can 3DS and Switch even connect to one another? If not, is there a feature that enables it in development? Who knows - we have absolutely zero info on Pokemon for Switch. Honestly, I‘d keep it just to be safe. Why sell it anyway?

It hasn't been confirmed how it will be possible to transfer Pokemon to the Switch version (or even if it will be possible at all), but I think it will probably use the Pokemon Bank app on 3DS, which costs £5 a year and lets you store your Pokemon online. Theoretically you could get the app now on your 3DS and if they make a Switch version of it, you could log in on there and your Pokemon would still be there. However I think you'd be better off keeping your 3DS for now to make sure you do get to keep your Pokemon because I'm not entirely sure how the Bank app works.

It will probably use Pokemon bank but there's no reason why in theory the 3DS and Switch couldn't communicate. It's literally just WiFi. Either way you'll need your 3DS Pokemon stored somewhere before the transfer. If you don't have the hardware to read the cartridge they're on they'll be stuck there...

You'll probably want to keep the 3ds around to renew the Pokebank subscription until you can do that on the switch.

my pokemon bank subscription has expired and i don't feel any urgent need to renew. I think the service should be free.

What's the point of even playing the game then

@GoldenGamer88 Because I don't use it. Like, at all.

@Inertiacreep What are you talking about?

@Patters So do I. I have many old consoles I have little to no need anymore but I'd never sell them. But it's yours so do whatever you want with it.

Most likely what will happen is you'll need your 3DS to transfer your Pokemon from the 3DS games to Bank and then you can access Bank from your Switch to bring them into the new games. I would keep it until you've brought over everything you want from your 3DS games.

@Patters As @Bolt_Strike said, you'll likely need to send your Pokémon to Pokémon Bank from your 3DS & then access them from your Switch. However there is no guarantee that any of your Pokémon will actually be transferable.. Gamefreak my just pull a Gen 3 and not allow any old Pokémon to move across due to compatibility issues (unlikely, but possible).

@dimi My guess would be that Pokémon Bank may get rolled into Nintendo's online subscription so you won't be paying twice. I don't think I've paid for my subscription recently.. hope my Pokés are okay!

Probably you will need it for the Pokémon Bank app. So don’t get rid of it just yet.

@dimi Are you so poor that you can't afford $5 a year?

@Patters what the hell is the excitement of the new game if you want everything for free

Hopefully Pokemon Switch will be a long overdue reboot, so any existing collection can be safely forgotten about. Hope springs!

@noobish_hat Hopefully you are 100% wrong. There is absolutely NO good reason to do that.

@Heavyarms55
Look forward to catching all 10 million of them then (including a million one-of-a-kind legendaries). Yeah, no need for a reboot lol

@noobish_hat Why would I if they don't get rid of Pokemon Bank? Even aside from that, I LIKE completing my Pokedex. I have done it every gen since 4th gen. If they reboot the series with only all new characters, its not Pokemon, and I have no interest in that. Many Pokemon are classic and iconic characters now and they would be foolish to abandon them. They would have to kill their marketing, totally rework their merchandise, start an all new anime, or abandon the anime entirely.

If you want an all new game with all new characters with no connection to previous titles, go play Yokai Watch, or Digimon, or some other vaguely similar game series - because in effect, that is what a reboot would be, Pokemon in name only. It would be a totally different game. If you are tired of Pokemon, play something else.

@Heavyarms55
So I guess Breath of the Wild isn't a Zelda game? Resi 7 isn't a Resident Evil game? Tomb Raider 2013 isn't a Tomb Raider game? Rayman Legends isn't a Rayman game? Don't. Talk. Crap.