Years of dedication erased in an instant – and it’s avoidable. The recent release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has brought joy to many fans, but for some longtime Pokémon players, it’s been nothing short of a digital tragedy. Multiple reports have emerged of lost save files, particularly in Pokémon Scarlet, following what appeared to be successful system transfers from the original Switch.
The most heartbreaking case comes from Reddit user ThatOtaku26, who claimed to have lost a save file with over 1,000 hours of gameplay and Pokémon transferred across two decades of titles, including Leaf Green and Diamond.
Despite a flawless transfer process and other data making it across just fine, their Scarlet progress was simply… gone.
For the uninitiated, Pokémon games are notoriously incompatible with Nintendo’s standard cloud save system, available via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Let’s Go Eevee, and Legends: Arceus all lack support for this safeguard. Instead, the franchise offers its own cloud storage service, Pokémon Home, which stores creatures independently from save files – but only if you choose to use it.
That’s the crux of this digital heartbreak: many players are now urging others to back up their prized Pokémon collections using Pokémon Home before initiating a Switch 2 transfer.
“All my other Pokémon data is still there, but not Scarlet,” wrote ThatOtaku26. “I had mons from my GBA up to current. Twenty years, all gone.” Similar laments have appeared across Reddit and even IGN’s own staff forums. One user wrote, “I cried. No shame. It was like losing a friend.”
Other users backed up the importance of Pokémon Home. “I uploaded all my shinies before switching,” one said. “If you don’t, you’re playing with fire.” But not everyone showed sympathy: some called it “user error” for not preemptively backing up to Home, which has long been known as the safest path for keeping your creatures safe across systems.
Some users also expressed frustration that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company hadn’t done more to warn players about this issue, especially considering Pokémon is one of Nintendo’s flagship IPs. The lack of a more universal or user-friendly save backup system continues to be a sticking point for many.
With 3.5 million Switch 2 units sold in its first four days, countless players may soon be facing similar risks. If there’s a moral here, it’s simple: use Pokémon Home, or risk losing everything.