Long-time fans of the
Pokémon franchise may be familiar with
Pokémon Bank. The service, which launched in 2014 is an application that allows trainers to deposit, store, and manage their Pokémon in private boxes on the internet for an annual charge.
As the platform was for 3DS, the service is also limited to certain games, such as
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Sun and Moon, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon X and Y, Gold and Silver, Red, Blue, and
Yellow.
Thanks to the launch of
Pokémon Home, however,
Pokémon Bank will no longer be limited to a single console and it's games. The new service is similar to
Bank except it will have versions both for the Nintendo Switch as well as for mobile allowing trainers to connect their
Pokémon Bank to
Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon: Let's Go! Pikachu and Let's Go! Eevee, and eventually even
Pokémon Go.
Both the mobile and Nintendo Switch versions will be available in February, though a specific date hasn't yet been announced. So long as players connect their same Nintendo account accross both devices, they can access their box in both places, allowing them to transfer and trade creatures on the go. Meanwhile, compatibility with
Pokémon Go is promised but will be added at a later time.
There are two versions of
Pokémon Home that will be released. One will be the Basic version which is free, and one will be the premium version, which costs $3.00 for a month, $5.00 for three months, and $16.00 for a year. Take a look at the differences between the plans below to help you decide which would be best for your level of gameplay.
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Moving Pokémon from Pokémon Bank is only available in the Premium version.
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Basic members can deposit 30 Pokémon while Premium members can deposit 6,000.
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Basic members can place 3 Pokémon in the Wonder Box at once while Premium members can place 10.
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Basic members can place 1 Pokémon in the Global Trading System at a time while Premium members can place 3.
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Basic members can only participate in Room Trade while Premium members also have the ability to host.
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Basic members cannot acceess the Judge function while Premium members can.
What do you guys think of these Pokémon Home features? Do you think you'll be going for the Basic or the Premium version when it releases next month? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be set in Galar, an expansive region with many environments—idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forests, and craggy, snow-covered mountains. The people and Pokémon live together in this region, and they’ve worked together to develop the industries here.
Pokémon Sword and
Pokémon Shield are currently available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Pre-order the expansion passes
Isle of Armor and
Crown Tundra here for $29.99.