The Pokémon Global Link initially launched with Pokémon Black and White almost ten years ago in 2010. The link allowed users to enter the Dream World or join the PokéMileage Club using their game cartridge.
Technology has changed in the past decade. The Pokémon Global Link official website has made an announcement that the service is shipping down.
According to the official website: “After more than nine years of operation, the Pokémon Global Link (PGL) service will be retired on February 24, 2020, at 23:59 UTC. After PGL service has ended, you will no longer be able to use any gameplay features that require a connection to the PGL on your Pokémon Ultra Sun, Pokémon Ultra Moon, Pokémon Sun, or Pokémon Moon games. You will still be able to use other online functionality apart from the PGL.”
This service will affect newer titles, including Pokémon Sun and Moon, which was released in 2016. This release before the Nintendo Switch’s release the next year.
With the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Nintendo may believe the PGL is merely outdated. The PGL’s Rating Battles and Online Competitions will be available on the Nintendo Switch.
It’s unknown if any of the other features will eventually make it onto the Switch. Players can continue to play online multiplayer for now on the 3DS. Since Pokémon Sword and Shield was recently released, Nintendo and Game Freak may have more multiplayer capabilities planned for the future.
The news will come with one last event. Owners of Pokémon Sun and Moon or Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can celebrate with “Fennel’s Munna event.” This gift goes to everyone who were a part of the Pokémon Global Link. Players will have to access the gift individually on all four games.
Fennel first made her appearance in Pokémon Black and White as a researcher in Dream World. This is how users could first enter the service.
To access the bonus, players will have to log in to the Pokémon Global Link, and then click the link. Some players are sharing some issues with Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, but many have gotten around this by logging into the main Pokémon Global Link website, clicking “Personal Notification,” and will eventually send the special code.
The Pokémon Global Link will officially end in late February 2020.
