Pokemon Bank app reportedly isn't functioning after the eShop's shutdown

gamesradar.com:

Pokemon Bank users are reporting the app isn't working following the 3DS's eShop closure.

March 27 sadly saw the 3DS's eShop close its virtual doors for good, just like Nintendo announced it would last year. The Pokemon Company always maintained that the Pokemon Bank app would work following the closure of the eShop, but now users are reporting that the app no longer works correctly.

The reporting originates from ResetEra, where multiple users claim the app tells that their "transfer pass has expired," and thus they can't use the app. This is potentially a huge deal, as it could render all Gen 5 and prior Pokemon games stuck in virtual limbo between systems.

Remember that all new downloads of Pokemon Bank have now been halted. As The Pokemon Company reminded users on Twitter (opens in new tab) earlier today, the service is no longer available for newcomers since the eShop has been taken offline, but it's still meant to be up and running as usual for existing customers. 

Pokemon Bank is a feature that basically allows you to transfer creatures between multiple platforms and devices. So you could send a Charizard through to Pokemon Sword and Shield, or an Eevee forward through Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX, and many other games.

That's why Pokemon Bank potentially failing is such a big deal for long-time Pokemon players. On the ResetEra thread though, there are users cautioning others from panicking as, after all, it has merely been a few hours since the eShop shut down, and The Pokemon Company could well be working on a fix already.

Still, you can see why this is a little worrying for hardcore Pokemon players. Last year in February, Pokemon Bank went free-to-use after previously costing an annual subscription fee