Pokemon Fan Loses 1,000+ Hours in Switch 2 Transfer

Nintendo Switch 2 owners reporting lost Pokémon save files are urging fellow trainers to utilize the franchise's Pokémon Home cloud storage before performing system transfers to their new consoles.

Multiple reports have surfaced, including a detailed Reddit post where a user transferred data from their original Switch only to discover their Pokémon Scarlet save file had vanished. Other users confirmed similar experiences, with an IGN staff member reportedly encountering the same issue.

The original Reddit poster, ThatOtaku26, shared that their lost save contained over 1,000 hours of gameplay and Pokémon collected across decades - including creatures transferred from as far back as Pokémon LeafGreen on Game Boy Advance and Pokémon Diamond on Nintendo DS.

Pokémon save files hold special significance as players often transfer cherished creatures between generations. Ironically, Pokémon titles are among the few Switch games incompatible with Nintendo's cloud save functionality - including Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu, Legends: Arceus, Sword/Shield, and Scarlet/Violet.

The Pokémon Home service (with its separate subscription structure) remains the only reliable backup solution, prompting current warnings from affected players about migrating to Switch 2.

"My Scarlet save disappeared with no transfer errors," ThatOtaku26 wrote. "Twenty years of collected Pokémon gone instantly. I don't even know if I want to continue playing."

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Numerous players shared similar heartbreaking stories about lost save data across multiple Nintendo titles during system transfers.

"This happened during my Switch to OLED transfer too - I cried," wrote one user, while another reported losing all games including Zelda and Mario Kart saves.

The situation has sparked urgent recommendations to back up Pokémon collections via Home before attempting any system migration.

"I'm sending everything to Home first - the risk isn't worth it," commented one concerned player. Others criticized victims for not taking preventative measures earlier.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launched earlier this month with record-breaking sales of 3.5 million units in its first four days - doubling the original Switch's launch performance despite that console's well-documented hardware shortages.