Hello there, Pokémon trainer! Professor Willow here, and I'd be happy to help clear up any confusion about the Pokémon Bank service.

## Pokémon Bank: Cost and What You Need to Know

The Pokémon Bank service was retired in March 2023. This means you can no longer purchase a new subscription, but if you have an existing subscription, you can still use the service for free.

### What Was Pokémon Bank?

Before we dive into the specifics, let's rewind a bit for those unfamiliar. The Pokémon Bank was a cloud storage service for Pokémon games on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. It allowed trainers to store up to 3,000 Pokémon online, accessible across multiple games.

Think of it as a digital haven for your Pokémon, where they could rest and await their next adventure. This was incredibly useful for players with extensive Pokémon collections or those transitioning between different generations of Pokémon games.

### Why Was There a Subscription Fee?

The Pokémon Bank wasn't free. A yearly subscription fee of $4.99 (USD) was required to access its features. Now, you might wonder why pay for storage when other cloud services offer it for free.

Here's the thing: Pokémon Bank wasn't just about storage. It played a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the Pokémon ecosystem. The subscription fee helped cover the costs of:

* Server Maintenance: Storing thousands of Pokémon for millions of players worldwide requires robust and reliable servers. The fee contributed to the upkeep of this infrastructure.
* Data Security: Protecting your precious Pokémon from data loss or unauthorized access is paramount. The fee supported the implementation of strong security measures.
* Development and Support: Continuous development and improvement of the Pokémon Bank service, including bug fixes, updates, and customer support, were funded by the subscription fees.

### Free Access Since March 2023

With the Pokémon Bank service being retired and no longer available for purchase, Nintendo decided to make the service completely free for all existing and returning users. This allows trainers to move their Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME, the successor to Pokémon Bank on the Nintendo Switch.

### Important Note:

While the Pokémon Bank service itself is free to use, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to trade Pokémon with others and access all features of Pokémon HOME.

I hope this information clarifies any questions about the Pokémon Bank service and its pricing. Remember, even though it's been retired, its legacy lives on, and the ability to transfer your Pokémon to Pokémon HOME ensures your Pokémon journey continues!

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions about Pokémon Bank, Pokémon HOME, or anything else Pokémon-related. Happy training!
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Nintendo will charge an annual fee of $4.99 for Pok��mon Bank, with the cost going toward management and maintenance of the servers for the service. While there is no additional cost for Pok�� Transporter, that app will be unavailable separately from Pok��mon Bank, since it requires Pok��mon Bank to run.read more >>