If Pokémon Actually Age, Pokémon Home Is An Ethical Nightmare

Pokémon Home and Pokémon Bank on 3DS have allowed players to store their monsters for years, but Nintendo (and Trainers) have a lot to answer for if Pokémon age. Pokémon death has always been an enigma in the franchise, especially with the haunted Lavender Town from Pokémon Red and Blue. However, various instances in the Pokémon anime and in-game mechanics suggest the passage of time in several ways. When players store their monsters between games, Pokémon generations, or consoles, it’s likely the passage of time continues to affect the current residents in Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Home, creating an unfortunate ethical dilemma for past and existing users.

The Nintendo 3DS Pokémon Bank debuted nearly a decade ago, and since then, millions of creatures have passed through its code to continue their adventures with their Trainers. Alternatively, others have likely been forgotten in its clutches for some time. However, unfortunate news recently reached the Nintendo community after the company announced the 3DS eShop is shutting down in March 2023 with no plans to revive coverage or activity afterward. Since the Pokémon Bank resides on the Nintendo 3DS eShop, its lifespan and swiftly approaching death date is a worrying prospect. Pokémon are often transferred between PCs as data streams and shrink into their Poké Balls based on Professor Laventon’s explanation in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but if they continue to age, then players are in for an unfortunate surprise.

It’s suggested that Pokémon age inside their Poké Balls throughout various anime episodes and in-game mechanics. Perhaps the most significant piece of evidence correlates with breeding, egg hatching, and status effects. When players leave their Pokémon to breed, real-world seconds need to pass before an egg is available to pick up at the nursery. Additionally, players must actively move around with an egg in their party to hatch it, suggesting steps (time) must pass in-game before the creature reaches maturity. However, the most compelling evidence that Pokémon age in their Poké Balls is the progression of status effects (notably Poison) as players travel. Since Pokémon are required to enter a Poké Ball when they’re transferred into the Pokémon Bank, it’s likely the monsters have aged.

Pokémon Home & Bank Trap Pokémon In Something Worse Than A Ball

While Pokémon Legends: Arceus made storage humane with Pastures, where creatures can wander freely and without fear, unfortunately, neither Pokémon Home or Pokémon Bank offer such luxuries. Though the system mirrors Pokémon’s PC Storage System, its ability to hold 3,000 monsters removes the motivation for players to release their forgotten and unwanted Pokémon. As a result, many Trainers have probably left Pokémon Bank without intention of returning. Its free status also increases the likelihood that many players downloaded it for free rewards or forgot about their stored monsters. In this theory, many Pokémon have logically ‘died’ of old age or spent a considerable portion of their life stored away.

The Nintendo 3DS eShop’s Pokémon Bank launched in 2013, leaving players nearly ten years to store unwanted or forgotten monsters. The presence of graveyards in most core series Pokémon games suggests that Trainers often outlive their party members. For example, the Unovan Champion lost his Volcarona to a mysterious illness and wandered the region to rediscover life’s meaning. Additionally, many Pokémon are shown in the anime to have aged despite not evolving, suggesting that experience points and levels don’t equate to physical age. This means players have likely abandoned their pixelated monsters to a slow demise in the Pokémon Bank’s (now free) boxes – and Pokémon Home doesn’t improve the situation.

As shown in many Pokémon games, movies, and anime episodes or specials, Pokémon can die from causes unrelated to battle. From random NPCs and Trainers to the Champion of entire regions, it seems no part of the franchise is untouched by a Pokémon’s loss. Of course, it’s unlikely for Nintendo or Game Freak to write a bonafide answer to Pokémon aging or death by natural causes, considering the franchise’s primary audience is still children. Even so, players should consider removing their monsters from Pokémon Bank before moving over to Pokémon Home – just in case.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(502 Articles Published)

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Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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