Nintendo Switch 2 owners are disturbed by missing "Pokémon Scarlet" save files during console transfers. As fans keep jumping to the just-released console, a worrying number of gamers have complained that their favorite Pokémon data has disappeared in the process.
While it sounds trivial at first, the erased save file accounts for two decades of data. That is beyond heartbreaking for every Pokémon fan who grew up from the oldest consoles like GameBoy to the latest Switch model.
Decades of Pokémon Gameplay Lost in System Transfer
A now-deleted viral Reddit post by ThatOtaku26 relayed the emotional tale of losing more than 1,000 hours of "Pokémon Scarlet" progress during a standard transfer between the original Switch and the Switch 2.
The save file apparently contained Pokémon transferred from previous games like "Leaf Green" and "Diamond," as far back as the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS eras.
"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."
Shockingly, there was no visible error during the transfer process. All other games and data appeared intact, except for "Pokémon Scarlet."
Why Pokémon Games Aren't Backed Up Like Others
Apparently, an IGN staff member said that this wasn't an isolated case.
This is a hurtful thing because many key Pokémon games on Nintendo Switch: "Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee," "Legends: Arceus," "Sword and Shield," and "Scarlet and Violet" don't have Nintendo's usual cloud save option. That leaves users who depend on Nintendo Switch Online to keep their information safe and exposed when they go from one console to another.
Nintendo's long-standing practice of withholding these games from cloud backup has been a source of frustration among players for years, and that frustration is now coming to a head.
Pokémon Home Could Be the Essential Backup Tool
Luckily, there is at least one option that's picking up steam quickly: Pokémon Home. This standalone app lets players house Pokémon in the cloud across games and generations, and it's fast becoming an essential utility for protecting data during any console transition.
While Pokémon Home has a limited free tier (holding 30 Pokémon), hardcore players can pay for the premium plan with more storage. Fans now advise transferring all precious creatures to Pokémon Home before any system transfer.
As Reddit user Mexican_Chef4307 noted, every Pokémon he had went into Home before he did the switch.
If you're upgrading to Switch 2 and you've put time and affection into your Pokémon family, don't chance losing it all. Move your virtual friends to Pokémon Home ahead of time, triple-check your information, and take care with system transfers.
