3DS pokemon

Wednesday, September 4 will always be remembered as a big day for Pokémon fans. Not only did Nintendo just lift the lid on two swanky Pokémon X & Y-themed 3DSXL portables, but it has become clear that for the first time since the series launched way back in 1996, players will be able to trade their pocket monsters without having to link their consoles together. That’s right, Nintendo will soon be rolling out Pokémon Bank, a cloud-based storage service that allows players to drop and pick up their pokémon whenever they like, wherever they like.

Pokémon Bank is a new service for Nintendo 3DS that allows players to store up to 3,000 pokémon online. Better yet, coupled with the new Poké Transporter, a software add-on that can be accessed after downloading the Pokémon Bank application, even monsters collected in the previous games Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 can be sent to the cloud and used in the newest title, meaning that all your hard work and training will not have been in vain.

Pokémon Bank will be a paid service, but details regarding price have yet to be announced. Nintendo will, however, offer a limited trial to all Pokémon X & Y purchasers, so you’ll be able to judge for yourselves whether it’s really worth making the investment.

Hardcore Pokémon collectors or those who have yet to pick up a 3DSXL will also be interested to hear that the special edition handhelds will go on sale in Europe and North America from September 27 – more than two weeks before the game itself – priced at US$199.99 (most likely £179.99 in the UK).

Here’s Nintendo’s full Pokémon Direct announcement video. Enjoy!

Source: Joystiq
Top image: Nintendo