The question of whether Ash-Greninja can be transferred to Pokémon Ultra Moon has plagued trainers since the release of the game. This unique form of Greninja, tied so closely to the anime and the bond between Ash and his Pokémon, holds a special place in the hearts of many. Understanding its transferability requires a deep dive into the mechanics of Pokémon games, event distributions, and save data limitations.
Understanding Ash-Greninja And Its Origins
Ash-Greninja isn’t just any ordinary Greninja. It’s a special form that Greninja takes on when it has a strong bond with its trainer, mirroring Ash’s Greninja in the Pokémon anime. This transformation, known as the Bond Phenomenon, is more than just a cosmetic change; it also grants Greninja a significant power boost.
This special Greninja wasn’t caught in the wild. It was exclusively available through a special demo version of Pokémon Sun and Moon. This demo allowed players to experience a small portion of the Alola region and, crucially, to obtain Ash-Greninja. After completing the demo, players could transfer this Greninja to their full copy of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon.
The Mechanics Of The Pokémon Sun And Moon Demo
The Pokémon Sun and Moon demo served as a bridge, connecting a limited experience to the full game. Within the demo, players encountered a specific event where they could battle alongside Ash-Greninja. After completing the event, Ash-Greninja became a permanent member of the player’s team within the demo.
The crucial part was the transfer mechanism. Players could use the Pokémon Link feature within the main game to transfer Ash-Greninja (and any other items earned in the demo) from the demo save data to their full game save data. This was a one-way transfer; once Ash-Greninja was moved to the full game, it could not be sent back to the demo.
The Ultra Moon Question: Is Transfer Possible?
Here’s where the central question comes into play: Can Ash-Greninja, originally obtained in Pokémon Sun or Moon, be transferred to Pokémon Ultra Moon? The short answer is yes, with caveats.
Transferring From Sun And Moon To Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon
The core mechanic of transferring Pokémon between generations relies on the Pokémon Bank. Pokémon Bank is a cloud-based storage system that allows players to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games.
Pokémon Bank acts as a bridge between older and newer games. You can transfer Pokémon from older games like Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire to Pokémon Bank. Then, from Pokémon Bank, you can transfer them to compatible games like Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
To transfer Ash-Greninja to Ultra Moon, you would first need to have Ash-Greninja in Pokémon Sun or Moon. Then, you would need an active Pokémon Bank subscription. Using Pokémon Bank, you can upload Ash-Greninja (along with other Pokémon) from your Sun or Moon game to the bank.
Finally, in your Ultra Moon game, you can use Pokémon Bank to download Ash-Greninja (and the other transferred Pokémon) to your Ultra Moon save file.
The Importance Of Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank is the key to transferring Pokémon between generations. Without it, you cannot legally move Pokémon from Sun or Moon to Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon. It’s a necessary subscription service for anyone who wants to maintain their Pokémon collection across different game versions.
Pokémon Bank is vital for those who wish to transfer their Ash-Greninja from Sun/Moon to Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon.
Restrictions And Limitations
While the transfer is technically possible, there are a few crucial limitations to keep in mind.
First, you cannot transfer Ash-Greninja directly from the demo to Ultra Moon. The demo only allows transfers to the original Sun and Moon games. Therefore, you must first transfer Ash-Greninja to Sun or Moon before transferring it to Ultra Moon via Pokémon Bank.
Second, Pokémon Bank requires an active subscription. If your subscription has expired, you will not be able to transfer Pokémon. Keeping your Pokémon Bank subscription active is essential for transferring Pokémon.
Third, once a Pokémon is transferred to a newer game, it cannot be transferred back to an older game. For example, if you transfer Ash-Greninja from Sun to Ultra Moon, you cannot then transfer it back to Sun.
The Post-Pokémon Bank Era: Pokémon HOME
The landscape of Pokémon transfers shifted with the introduction of Pokémon HOME, a cloud-based service designed to replace Pokémon Bank. While Pokémon Bank still functions for older games, Pokémon HOME is the primary transfer service for newer titles.
How Pokémon HOME Affects Ash-Greninja Transfers
Currently, Pokémon HOME supports Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, and Violet. It does not directly support Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon.
This means that you still need to use Pokémon Bank to transfer Ash-Greninja from Sun/Moon to Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. Once Ash-Greninja is in Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon, it cannot be directly transferred to Pokémon HOME.
The future of Pokémon transfers remains uncertain. It’s possible that future updates to Pokémon HOME could include compatibility with older 3DS titles, but as of now, Pokémon Bank remains the only method for transferring Ash-Greninja to Ultra Moon.
The Future Of Pokémon Transfers
The long-term future of Pokémon transfers is constantly evolving. As new games are released and older platforms become obsolete, the methods for transferring Pokémon will likely change. Pokémon HOME is the current hub for managing and transferring Pokémon across modern games, but the fate of Pokémon Bank and its support for older titles remains to be seen. Keep an eye on official announcements from The Pokémon Company for updates on transfer compatibility.
Conclusion: Ash-Greninja’s Journey To Ultra Moon
In conclusion, transferring Ash-Greninja to Pokémon Ultra Moon is indeed possible, but it requires a specific process. You must first obtain Ash-Greninja in the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo, transfer it to a full copy of Pokémon Sun or Moon, and then use Pokémon Bank to transfer it to Pokémon Ultra Moon.
Keep in mind the limitations: Pokémon Bank requires a subscription, and once Ash-Greninja is transferred to Ultra Moon, it cannot be transferred back to Sun or Moon. While Pokémon HOME is the current hub for modern Pokémon games, it does not currently support direct transfers from Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon.
By following these steps and understanding the limitations, you can successfully bring your Ash-Greninja to Pokémon Ultra Moon and continue your adventures in the Alola region.
FAQ 1: What Is Ash-Greninja And Why Is It Special?
Ash-Greninja is a special form of Greninja that appears in the Pokémon anime series, connected specifically to Ash Ketchum. This form is triggered through a bond phenomenon between Ash and his Greninja, resulting in a transformation where Greninja takes on aspects of Ash’s appearance. This includes aspects such as his hairstyle and color scheme, making it a distinct and popular variant of the regular Greninja.
In the Pokémon Sun and Moon games, Ash-Greninja was obtainable through a special demo version. This demo allowed players to experience a portion of the Alola region and, more importantly, obtain an Ash-Greninja to transfer to the full Sun and Moon games. This made it a unique and desirable Pokémon for many players due to its connection to the anime and its limited availability.
FAQ 2: Was Ash-Greninja Originally Obtainable In Pokémon Sun And Moon?
Yes, Ash-Greninja was indeed obtainable in Pokémon Sun and Moon. However, it was not found within the main game itself. Instead, players had to download and play the Pokémon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version. This demo, available for free on the Nintendo eShop, provided a short adventure where players could obtain Ash-Greninja.
After completing the demo, players could transfer their Ash-Greninja to their full copy of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. This transfer required connecting the demo version to the full game and following the in-game instructions provided after completing the demo’s main objective. This was the only official method to acquire Ash-Greninja in these games.
FAQ 3: Can Ash-Greninja Be Directly Transferred From Sun And Moon To Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon?
Yes, Ash-Greninja can be directly transferred from Pokémon Sun and Moon to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The process is very similar to how Pokémon are transferred between other games in the 7th generation. Players can use the in-game Festival Plaza to trade Pokémon between the games as long as they are playing on compatible Nintendo 3DS systems.
The crucial factor is that you must have already transferred Ash-Greninja into your Sun or Moon save file from the special demo version. Once it is in your Sun or Moon game, you can freely trade it to your Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon game through the Festival Plaza’s local or online trading features. This allows you to enjoy Ash-Greninja in the enhanced versions of the Alola region.
FAQ 4: Is It Still Possible To Get Ash-Greninja If I Never Played The Sun And Moon Demo?
Unfortunately, if you missed the opportunity to download and play the Pokémon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version before the Nintendo eShop was discontinued for the 3DS, there is no longer an official method to obtain Ash-Greninja. The demo was the sole source for acquiring this unique Pokémon, and the demo is no longer available for download.
This means that new players who did not access the demo prior to the eShop closure are unable to legitimately obtain Ash-Greninja for their Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon games. The only alternative would be to acquire an Ash-Greninja through trading with someone who already possesses one from the original demo distribution or potentially through unofficial methods, which are generally discouraged due to the risks involved.
FAQ 5: What Are The Specific Requirements To Transfer Ash-Greninja From The Sun And Moon Demo?
To transfer Ash-Greninja from the Sun and Moon Special Demo Version, you needed a copy of either Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. Both versions were compatible with the transfer. You also needed both the demo version and the full game installed on the same Nintendo 3DS system or a system that could communicate locally.
Within the demo, you had to complete the main story objective, which involved encountering and battling Team Skull. After completion, you could speak to Professor Kukui to initiate the transfer process. The game would then guide you through the steps to transfer Ash-Greninja, as well as any other items acquired in the demo, to your full game. This process was straightforward and relatively quick, allowing players to easily obtain Ash-Greninja in their main adventure.
FAQ 6: Does Ash-Greninja Evolve Or Have Any Unique Abilities In Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon?
Ash-Greninja, upon being transferred to Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon, functions identically to its behavior in Sun and Moon. It does not evolve further, nor does it gain any new abilities beyond what it possessed originally. Its unique form is triggered in battle when Greninja defeats an opponent, activating its Battle Bond ability.
The Battle Bond ability transforms Greninja into its Ash-Greninja form during battle, increasing its stats. This transformation is purely visual and statistical, and it reverts to its normal form after the battle. Its signature move, Water Shuriken, also receives a power boost when in Ash-Greninja form, making it a formidable attacker. This functionality remains unchanged in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
FAQ 7: Are There Any Glitches Or Issues Associated With Transferring Ash-Greninja To Ultra Moon?
Generally, there are no major glitches or issues reported specifically related to transferring Ash-Greninja to Ultra Moon. The transfer process itself is a standard function within the Pokémon games, and as long as the process is followed correctly, the transfer should proceed smoothly. It’s important to ensure both games are updated to their latest versions to minimize any potential compatibility problems.
However, like with any data transfer, there’s always a slight risk of unforeseen errors. To mitigate this, it’s recommended to have a stable power source for your Nintendo 3DS during the transfer and to avoid interrupting the process. Furthermore, backing up your save data whenever possible is a good practice, although direct backup for the Sun/Moon demo was not possible. In short, while rare, potential issues can be minimized by taking necessary precautions.