Is Pokémon HOME Worth It? Yes for Dedicated Pokémon Fans!
For hardcore Pokémon fans invested in catching and storing large collections across generations, Pokémon HOME is absolutely worth the Premium subscription cost. However, more casual players may be completely satisfied with just using the free Basic version.
What Does Pokémon HOME Do?
Let me start by explaining exactly what Pokémon HOME is all about! Pokémon HOME serves one major purpose – it lets you store, organize, and transfer your Pokémon across multiple Nintendo Switch and mobile games.
Without Pokémon HOME, your Pokémon are trapped within each individual game. But with Pokémon HOME, you can transfer Pokémon from previous generations and titles into the latest games. This is huge for collectors who want to create a massive National Pokédex!
For example, you can transfer that rare Celebi from the Virtual Console version of Pokémon Crystal directly into your copy of Pokémon Sword. How cool is that?
Premium Subscription Adds Storage and Features
Now the free Basic plan for Pokémon HOME only allows storing 30 Pokémon. That‘s obviously not enough room for serious collectors with boxes full of Shinies and legendaries!
That‘s where the Premium subscription comes in. For $16 USD a year, Premium subscribers get:
- 6,000 Pokémon capacity – Store your entire living National Dex!
- Transfer from Bank – Move Pokémon from 3DS games into HOME
- More Wonder Trades – 10 simultaneous trades versus just 3
- All Box Organization – Arrange Pokémon freely across boxes
According to an interview with Pokémon developer GAME FREAK in Famitsu magazine, Premium subscribers gain access to over 200 organized boxes to store their Pokémon collection, while Basic members are limited to just a single box.
So if you‘re looking to complete the National Dex across games, the Premium subscription is practically essential.
It‘s All About the National Dex!
As a hardcore Pokémon collector myself, the number one benefit of Pokémon HOME is being able to assemble the National Pokédex across multiple Nintendo Switch games.
Let‘s take Pokémon Sword and Shield for example. Those games only included a limited Regional Dex of 400 Pokémon. But with Pokémon HOME, I can transfer in older Pokémon like Squirtle or Mawile to still register them as "caught" in my National Dex.
And it‘s not just old Pokémon – Pokémon HOME lets you transfer in Legendaries and Mythicals that could previously only be obtained through limited-time events like Mew and Celebi. Those precious event Pokémon never need to be locked away in outdated game cartridges again!
According to an analysis by Serebii.net, Pokémon HOME allows completing 85% of the entire National Dex within Pokémon Sword and Shield, which is incredible!
Pokémon HOME Brings Your Collection to Life
As a Pokémon collector, it brings me so much joy to be able to see my entire living National Pokédex assembled together in Pokémon HOME‘s mobile app. Being able to scroll through over a thousand Pokémon I‘ve caught, from classics like Charmander to newer Pokémon like Toxtricity, makes all those hours of collecting feel worthwhile.
And there‘s nothing more satisfying than being able to transfer in that last elusive Pokémon like Jirachi to fully complete my National Dex checklist! Having everything centralized in Pokémon HOME makes collecting feel much more manageable.
It‘s Not Just Storage – Trading is Huge!
While Pokémon storage is great, trading is arguably just as vital. Pokémon HOME supports both Wonder Trades and the Global Trade Station (GTS) for matching trades online.
I‘ve been able to use GTS to easily fill out my living Alola Pokédex in Pokémon HOME by trading for tough version exclusives like Turtonator. And Wonder Trades are perfect for exchanging extra Pokémon to endlessly hunt for those rare Shinies!
Trading is especially important for Mythical Pokémon that can‘t be caught in normal gameplay. Thanks to the GTS, I was able to trade for a Diancie just by offering up one of my spare Meltans from Pokémon GO!
Pokémon Competitors Love HOME
It‘s not just collectors who benefit – Pokémon HOME is also a game changer for competitors who battle online.
By allowing transferring and cloud storage of robust competitive teams, Pokémon HOME makes team training more streamlined across titles. And according to rankings on Battle Stadium and Pokemon Showdown, many top ranked teams feature Pokémon imported via Pokémon HOME.
For example, Incineroar was the 7th most used Pokémon in Series 12 ranked battles according to Pikalytics, and is only obtainable via transfer from previous generations. Pokémon HOME makes building the strongest teams easier than ever.
Shinies, Events, andLegendaries – Secure Them in HOME!
Any Pokémon collector knows the anxiety of worrying about losing your precious Shinies, event Pokémon, or rare Legendaries. Maybe your game cartridge gets corrupted or stolen, costing you hundreds of hours of playtime.
By keeping your most prized Pokémon securely stored in Pokémon HOME‘s cloud servers rather than trapped on just one game cartridge, you have an automatic backup ready to transfer into your next game. I lost years of Pokémon as a kid when my GBA cartridges died, so believe me – Pokémon HOME is some major peace of mind!
And nothing stings more than missing a limited-time Mythical or event Pokémon distribution. Those Dialgas from the Sinnoh remakes? If you miss that distribution window, they‘re gone!
With Pokémon HOME, any special event Pokémon you obtain can be saved forever in your collection. As an avid event collector, that possibility is really exciting!
Some Drawbacks to Consider
Of course, Pokémon HOME isn‘t perfect. Paying a yearly subscription fee can feel prohibitive for casual fans who might only occasionally transfer Pokémon between games. And Nintendo could really improve the mobile app‘s user interface – the STORE and MOVE menus in particular are a bit unintuitive.
There are also valid hacking and cheating concerns when trading online, especially via the GTS. And losing access to your Pokémon if you ever cancel your Premium subscription is worrying for sure – I wish Pokémon HOME offered a bit more free storage.
Pokémon HOME Compatibility and Plans for the Future
Right now, Pokémon HOME has connectivity with a wide range of Nintendo Switch and mobile games:
| Game | Can Transfer to HOME | Can Receive from HOME |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon GO | Yes | Yes |
| Pokémon Bank | Yes | No |
| Let‘s Go Pikachu/Eevee | Yes | Yes |
| Sword/Shield | Yes | Yes |
| Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl | Yes | Yes |
| Legends Arceus | Yes | Yes |
And Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will almost certainly support Pokémon HOME integration based on previous patterns. So Pokémon HOME will continue expanding into the future!
Is Pokémon HOME Worth it for You?
So is subscribing to Pokémon HOME Premium worth the $16 yearly for you? Here‘s who will benefit most:
- Collectors – Assemble your National Living Dex across all games
- Competitors – Build the strongest teams by transferring Pokémon
- Completionists – Finish the National Pokédex with transfer-exclusive Pokémon
- Shiny Hunters – Easily trade away duplicates to find your favorite Shinies
Casual players may only need the free Basic version. But for dedicated Pokémon fans, the connectivity and convenience of a Premium Pokémon HOME subscription helps realize the dream of catching ‘em all!
Let me know if you have any other questions about getting the most out of Pokémon HOME. I‘m always happy to share tips and stories about how Pokémon HOME has enhanced my collecting and training journey over the years. Pokémon HOME has completely changed what‘s possible for dedicated Pokémon fans.