Pokémon Players Lose Years of Save Data in Switch 2 Transfer Glitch
▼ Summary
– Pokémon fans are experiencing save data transfer issues when moving to the Switch 2, with some losing years of progress (per IGN).
– A Reddit user reported losing over 1,000 hours of gameplay and 20 years’ worth of Pokémon, including their Scarlet save file.
– The Pokémon Home app can store Pokémon during transfers but doesn’t preserve game save data, offering limited protection.
– A premium Pokémon Home subscription ($15.99/year) allows storing up to 6,000 Pokémon but still doesn’t safeguard game progress.
– The data-transfer issue extends beyond Pokémon, affecting other games like BOTW, TOTK, and MK8, forcing players to restart.
Pokémon players transferring to the new Switch 2 console are facing devastating losses as critical save data fails to migrate properly, erasing years of progress in some cases. Reports indicate that cherished Pokémon collections spanning multiple generations have vanished during the transfer process, leaving dedicated trainers understandably frustrated.
One affected player shared their heartbreaking experience on Reddit, revealing they lost over 1,000 hours of gameplay in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, along with Pokémon collected over two decades, some originating from the Game Boy Advance era. Despite following the standard transfer procedure without errors, their save file disappeared entirely, forcing them back to the game’s opening screen. The issue appears irreversible, with no backup available on their previous Switch OLED model.
While Pokémon Home offers a partial solution by allowing players to store up to 30 Pokémon for free (or 6,000 with a paid subscription), it doesn’t preserve game progress. This means trainers can safeguard their Pokémon but must restart their adventure from scratch if save data is corrupted during transfer.
The problem isn’t limited to Pokémon titles, other players report similar losses across major Nintendo franchises, including The Legend of Zelda and Mario Kart. One user described losing all progress in multiple games, forcing them to replay hundreds of hours just to regain lost ground.
Nintendo has yet to address the issue publicly, leaving players uncertain about potential fixes or data recovery options. For now, those upgrading to the Switch 2 should proceed with caution, ensuring they back up data where possible before initiating transfers. The situation serves as a stark reminder of how fragile digital game progress can be, especially when transitioning between hardware generations.
(Source: POLYGON)
