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

Nintendo Switch 2 owners reporting lost Pokémon save files are urging fellow players to utilize the Pokémon Home storage app before transferring data to their new consoles.

A Reddit thread details one fan's experience after transferring data from their original Switch to the Switch 2 - their Pokémon Scarlet save file mysteriously disappeared during the process. Multiple users echoed similar issues in responses, including an IGN staff member who encountered identical problems.

The Reddit post by ThatOtaku26 reveals their vanished save contained over 1,000 gameplay hours and Pokémon collected across two decades, including transfers from legacy titles like Pokémon Leaf Green (GBA) and Pokémon Diamond (NDS).

These save files hold immense sentimental value as players often transfer Pokémon companions across multiple generations. Compounding the issue, Switch Pokémon titles - including Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, Sword/Shield, Legends: Arceus, and Scarlet/Violet - uniquely lack Nintendo Switch Online cloud save support.

The Pokémon Home subscription service remains players' only cloud backup option for preserving more than 30 creatures. Following these incidents, the community strongly recommends using Pokémon Home before any Switch 2 transfers to safeguard digital collections.

"Completed my Switch 2 setup and transfer without errors," ThatOtaku26 explained, "but my Scarlet save vanished completely - reset to language selection screen. My saved Pokémon spanning GBA to current games? Twenty years of progress gone forever. I'm devastated."

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC Nintendo Direct Trailer

View 20 Images

The community expressed both sympathy and frustration:

"Identical issue during my OLED transfer," shared Grouchy-Cress-215. "Absolutely heartbreaking."

"Lost ALL save data - Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8, multiple Pokémon games," added Existing-Possible550. "Facing complete restarts."

Many emphasized proactive measures:

"Everything's going to Home first - not risking my collection," stated Mexican_Chef4307.

"Any future Switch 2 transfer begins with full Pokémon Home backup," advised TheJannikku.

Some offered tougher perspectives:

"Neglecting Home backups is irresponsible," commented IAmTheWire. "This has been the only guaranteed preservation method for years - incredibly simple insurance against data loss scenarios."

The Nintendo Switch 2 launched this month with record-breaking sales - 3.5 million units sold in four days, doubling the original Switch's launch figures despite initial hardware shortages.