The main points
- The inevitable shutdown of the 3DS’s online features poses a problem for the Pokemon games, as it could result in some creatures being unavailable on the Switch.
- Nintendo is urging players to move their creature collections from Pokemon Bank to Pokemon Home before the former shuts down for good.
- There is speculation that the next Pokemon game will be set in the Unova region, which would be good news for the trapped Gen 5 Mons on the 3DS if they can be obtained in the new game.
The future of Pokemon series after Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is a bit murky as there are several directions the franchise could go in and plenty of rumors about potential future games. One issue throwing a wrench into many players’ plans is the imminent demise of the 3DS’s online features, as Nintendo recently announced that the handheld’s servers will be taken offline in the spring of 2024. With the end of the 3DS’s online services, it heralds the end of an era for the series, next Pokemon the game has a clear direction to avoid making certain creatures completely unavailable on Switch.
While the software needed to transfer mons from 3ds to Pokemon house Nintendo made the announcement after the rest of the 3DS’ online services shut down until it’s up and running Pokemon bank won’t stay online forever and encourages players to transfer their creature collections to Pokemon house sooner rather than later. Since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet you don’t have a full National Dex, there is a group of mana that will be trapped on the 3DS unless they are transferred to Pokemon house earlier Pokemon bank turns off. Considering how many of these manas are from Gen 5, the next game should be a return to Unova.
The Pokemon series needs 5th gen remakes more than ever
Of the remaining mons not available on Switch, most of them come from the Gen 5 games. Certain creatures like Snivy and Tepig, which are currently unavailable on Switch, have been confirmed to appear in The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. However, others such as Patrat, Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour will not be available on the Switch for the foreseeable future, unless Game Freak has plans for new games in Unova where these creatures can be obtained.
Speculation on where next Pokemon game may take place has already identified the Unova Region as the most likely candidate after a series of rumors coupled with references to the region in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet caused an online discussion among fans. Riddler stalwart Khu has made some cryptic comments, suggesting that the next game will be related to Unova in some way. Additionally, The Teal Mask reveals that Blueberry Academy is located in the Unova region, and several of its students appear to be relatives of existing characters from the Gen 5 games.
These clues are good news for Gen 5 monsters who risk being trapped on the 3DS after this Pokemon bank is closing, but it’s still unclear what type of game this next entry will be. Although it can be a couple of simple ones Black and white pokemon remakes, some have speculated that the Gen 5 games might get three quells in the form Pokemon black 3 and white 3. There is also a very distinct possibility that the sequel Pokemon Legends: Arceus is in development that takes players back to the previous version of Unova while still continuing Legends of Pokemon– style of play.
Whatever form these new Unova games take, it’s clear that they need to happen sooner rather than later so there’s no danger of any monies being trapped on the 3DS when Pokemon bank turns off. There are a few creatures from other generations that are also at risk of being trapped on the 3DS, but the likes of Pikipek and Minor are either confirmed or rumored to appear in The Indigo Disk DLC. However, for the rest of the monsters that mostly come from Gen 5, a new Unova game is a must to make sure they are available on the current Switch platform before they can no longer be ported.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet available for Nintendo Switch.
