Pokémon Bank was a cloud-based storage application for the Nintendo 3DS that allowed players to securely store up to 3,000 Pokémon and transfer them between compatible games, such as moving creatures from Pokémon Black and White to X and Y via its companion Poké Transporter. It launched in Japan on December 25, 2013, but was briefly pulled from the market due to severe server overload from unexpected traffic, delaying its global release and leading to an annual subscription model. After the 3DS eShop shut down in March 2023, the app was made free for existing users but could no longer be downloaded by new players. Although it initially continued working after Nintendo ended 3DS online support in April 2024, Nintendo announced on August 13, 2026, that the service will permanently end on February 25, 2027, making it impossible to access stored Pokémon. Its successor, Pokémon Home, now serves this function, though transfers are strictly one-way—Pokémon sent to Home cannot return to Bank.