Pokemon Pokopia sells over 5 million copies globally; Pokemon Bank will shut down in February 2027.
This week’s news from the Nintendo sphere is largely dominated by developments in the Pokemon franchise. The launch of Pokemon Pokopia, a spin-off for the Nintendo Switch 2, seems to have exceeded its creators’ expectations, with over 5 million copies sold worldwide since its release in March. Developed by Game Freak in collaboration with Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force, this cozy life-simulation game has been praised for its charming aesthetic and engaging gameplay. Its impressive sales figures underscore its success in captivating the Pokemon fan base on Nintendo’s latest hardware. For more details, you can check the report from My Nintendo News.
However, not all news was as upbeat for Pokemon fans. The Pokemon Company has announced plans to shut down Pokemon Bank, a service that has been used to transfer Pokemon between games and generations. The closure is set for February 26, 2027, meaning players should ensure their Pokemon are transferred to Pokemon Home before then, if they want to continue using them. This marks another step in the transition from older systems to the more recent Nintendo franchises and support systems. More information on this can be found over at Nintendo Everything.
In related news, Pokemon Home is expanding its support to include Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen for the Nintendo Switch. Beginning in October, this integration will offer players the chance to receive a Celebi as a reward for completing the Pokedex in these games, adding an incentive for fans of older Pokemon titles to revisit these classics. This further reflects the ongoing efforts to bridge various generations of Pokemon games and maintain engagement with long-time fans, as detailed in another piece by Nintendo Everything.
Outside the realm of Pokemon, some changes are happening within the indie game publishing space. Indie publisher Nakana.io has announced its shutdown later this year, marking the end of its operations in the US and Europe. Known for its focus on meaningful and artistic games, Nakana.io is offering significant discounts on its ten-title catalog as part of a closing sale. For more on this, see the coverage from Nintendo Life.
Additionally, Netflix has decided to close Night School Studio, the creative force behind the beloved game Oxenfree and its sequel. This step comes as Netflix intends to streamline its gaming operations. Alongside Night School Studio, another smaller studio, Moonloot, was also closed. The loss of these studios indicates Netflix’s shifting priorities within its gaming venture. More information can be found through Nintendo Life.
Lastly, fans of indie games and puzzle enthusiasts might want to mark their calendars. Tiny Monks Tales has announced that their charming 3D puzzler, Woodo, will be launching on both Switch and its successor, the Switch 2, on September 16th. Initially revealed during an Indie World Direct earlier this year, the game promises a delightful puzzle-solving experience for those who are willing to carve out time for it in September. Find out more about Woodo from Nintendo Life.
