The Pokemon Company’s cloud storage companionPokemon Homewasdownloaded over a million times on mobile devicesin its first week of release. Not only does it offer trainers the opportunity to store monsters inaccessible inSwordandShield, it also allows them to trade between titles likeLet’s Go, PikachuandLet’s Go, Eevee; as well as trade over the Internet using the GTS and Wonder Box systems.
Pokemon Home’s mobile component updated to version 1.1.0. last week, making itcompatible withSwordandShield’s DLC. It also fixed a number of bugs while adding the “Battle Data” feature that allows users to check their own and other players' online records for ranked battles and competitions. Most importantly for players who utilize trading services, “enhancements” were implemented such as shortening the time needed to complete Wonder Box trades, providing up to 10 free group Room Trades, and also opening up the Friend Trade feature to online rather than just local play.
RELATED:Pokemon: What Will the Next Games in the Series Be?
Unfortunately the update says these enhancements forPokemon Homewill only be available for a limited time. There’s no indication as to when they will go away, just the promise that a second notice will go out to tell players when it will be ending, so anyone interested in sending a Pokemon to one of their registered friends around the world should get on that as soon as possible.
It’s bizarre forPokemon Hometo add in a feature as useful as worldwide friend trading for a limited time, especially when the service’sliving Pokedex requirement is hard to accomplishand may be easier with this feature. Perhaps the limited addition is a test for the permanent version coming down the line, but with online trading already available this seems like a stretch.
Alongside these additions came a number of reveals on account of the connectivity withSwordandShield’s Isle of Armor DLC. Players were able todatamine 21 new moves throughPokemon Homeafter the version update took effect, moves that will likely correspond with new monsters coming alongside returning Pokemon in the two expansions.
With the Isle of Armor DLC coming in June,Pokemon SwordandShieldhave been keeping up small-scale events for players in the meantime. Ahidden ability Galarian Mr. Mime is currently availablethrough mystery gift, but anyone who wants to trade this new addition with a friend throughPokemon Homeshould act quickly.
Pokemon Homeis available now for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.
