Pokémon Fan Loses “20 Years Worth Of Data” After Switch 2 Transfer Disaster

A Heartbreaking Loss for a Long-Time Trainer

In what can only be described as every Pokémon fan’s worst nightmare, a player has reportedly lost two decades worth of Pokémon data after performing a system transfer from the Nintendo Switch to the newly released Switch 2. The Reddit user, known as ThatOtaku26, shared their devastating experience in a now-deleted post that quickly caught the attention of the gaming community.

The Transfer That Went ‘Fine’ – Until It Didn’t

According to ThatOtaku26, the data transfer process appeared to go smoothly. Every game except one transferred correctly:

“I just got a Switch 2, did the startup and initial data transfer with no issues. My Scarlet save file is gone. It loads straight into the language-selection and create-a-character screens. No data on my OLED. Just all gone.”

Despite receiving no errors during the transfer, their Pokémon Scarlet save file vanished completely, taking with it Pokémon they had painstakingly transferred and preserved from generations as far back as the Game Boy Advance era. For many Pokémon fans, such a collection represents not just playtime but years of dedication and nostalgia.

Cloud Save Limitations Haunt Pokémon Trainers

The loss underscores a long-standing limitation in Nintendo’s system architecture: Pokémon games are among the few major Switch titles that do not support Nintendo Switch Online’s cloud save functionality. This means that in most cases, if a save file is lost locally, it’s gone for good.

While many players rely on Pokémon HOME to safeguard their Pokémon collection, it’s important to note that Pokémon HOME only stores the creatures themselves, not actual game progress or save data. Even with a premium subscription allowing storage of up to 6,000 Pokémon, HOME offers no protection for a player’s game progress, storyline completion, or unique in-game experiences.

The Community Reacts: Sympathy and Tough Love

The Pokémon community was quick to react to ThatOtaku26’s misfortune. Some, like Reddit user IAmTheWire, pointed out that this scenario could have been avoided:

“Ngl the fact that you didn’t transfer all of your important Pokémon to Home first is on you. We’ve known that this is the only way to preserve your Pokémon for sure in this kind of circumstance.”

Others, however, were more sympathetic, recognizing the deep emotional loss. One user, Grouchy-Cress-215, shared a similar painful experience and simply stated, “tears were shed.”

The situation has sparked wider concerns among Switch 2 adopters, as some have reported losing save data for multiple games entirely. One user wrote:

“The same thing happened to me but literally all my saved data isn’t there anymore like BOTW, TOTK, MK8, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and so on. I literally have to play everything from the start.”

A Cautionary Tale for Pokémon Trainers

While Nintendo has not publicly commented on the issue as of yet, this situation serves as a stark reminder for all Pokémon fans:

• Always back up your most valuable Pokémon to Pokémon HOME before attempting a system transfer.
• Be aware of which titles are not supported by cloud saves on Nintendo Switch Online.
• Consider waiting until any potential transfer bugs are fully understood before migrating your data to a new console generation.

For ThatOtaku26, 20 years of gameplay history have vanished in an instant. For the rest of us, this is a sobering lesson on the fragility of digital ownership and a call to be more vigilant with our cherished collections.

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Picture Credit: The Pokémon Company International