No. Pokémon Ultra Sun’s online play ended when Nintendo discontinued online services for Nintendo 3DS software on April 8, 2024. You can still play the game offline, and nearby players can use local wireless. Pokémon Bank is a separate service with a scheduled end date of February 25, 2027.
What happened to Ultra Sun’s online servers?
Nintendo discontinued online play and other internet communication functions for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software at 5 p.m. PDT on April 8, 2024. Nintendo’s notice includes online co-op, internet rankings, and data distribution among the affected functions: Nintendo’s 3DS and Wii U online services notice.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon Ultra Sun - Nintendo 3DS | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon Ultra Sun (Nintendo 3DS) | $104.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire - Nintendo 3DS | $68.77 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokemon Moon - Nintendo 3DS Moon Edition | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Pokmon Sun (Nintendo 3DS) | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
That means Ultra Sun’s internet-dependent features no longer connect through Nintendo’s official 3DS online services. The game’s manual lists GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot, Missions, Battle Royal, Game Sync, and Battle Agency among Festival Plaza features, and describes internet and local communication options. The manual explains how the game was designed, not what remains available after the shutdown: Pokémon Ultra Sun instruction booklet.
What can you still do in Pokémon Ultra Sun?
Play the game offline
The campaign and other modes that do not require online communication remain playable. Nintendo explicitly says players can continue to use features and game modes that do not require an internet connection.
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- A new light shines on the Alola region!
- Take on the role of a Pokemon Trainer and encounter Pokemon, uncover new tales, and Unravel the mystery behind the two forms reminiscent of the legendary Pokemon.
- These new titles power up the Pokemon Sun and Pokemon moon content with new story additions and features, earning them the name “ultra!” another adventure is about to begin!
- Destructoid: "A hallmark of excellence.";GameSpot: "...a fun-filled and uplifting Pokemon adventure…"
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Mild cartoon violence
Play locally with nearby systems
Local wireless is separate from remote online play. The Ultra Sun manual documents local play between nearby players using separate 3DS systems and compatible game software. This is not a way to reach distant players over the internet. Nintendo also says 3DS StreetPass, which uses local communication, was not ended by the online-services shutdown.
Internet-dependent features are unavailable
GTS, Wonder Trade, and remote battles require internet communication, so they are not available through Nintendo’s discontinued 3DS online services. The same distinction applies to other Festival Plaza activities when they rely on an internet connection; the manual’s prior description of a feature does not mean its online function still works.
Rank #2
- A Pokémon adventure awaits in Alola, with new worlds to discover, over 400 Pokémon to catch and host of new features, this isn’t the Alola you thought you knew
- Travel through an ultra wormhole that lead to different worlds
- Encounter team rainbow rocket made up of the bosses from past titles in the Pokémon series
- Discover legendary Pokémon like never before, get all the legendary Pokémon from previous games and add them to your team
- Compatible with 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, 3DS XL and New 2DS XL consoles
Is Pokémon Bank still available for Ultra Sun?
Pokémon Bank is a separate storage and transfer service, not Ultra Sun’s multiplayer server. Nintendo kept Bank and Poké Transporter online after the broader 3DS shutdown, but has announced that Pokémon Bank service will end on February 25, 2027, at 7 p.m. PST. After the end of service, transfers from Bank to Pokémon HOME will no longer be possible. Nintendo says Bank is not currently available for download; check its current Pokémon Bank end-of-service notice for updates.
Ultra Sun is compatible with Pokémon Bank version 1.4 or later, according to Nintendo’s Pokémon Bank compatibility information. If you have Pokémon in Bank that you want to move to HOME, plan to transfer them before the announced cutoff rather than assuming the service will continue uninterrupted.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Pokmon Sun (Nintendo 3DS)
Rank #4
- Pokemon Moon will launch in the US November 18th, 2016 exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Embark on a new adventure as a Pokemon Trainer and catch, battle, and trade all-new Pokemon on the tropical islands of a new Region and become a Pokemon Champion!
- Rated “E”; Everyone w/ Mild Cartoon Violence
Rank #3
- Games in 2D. Some areas also playable in 3D. For Nintendo 3DS systems, use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Suitable_for_all_users
Quick status guide
| Feature or service | Status |
|---|---|
| Ultra Sun campaign and offline modes | Playable; does not require online communication. |
| GTS, Wonder Trade, and remote online battles | Unavailable through Nintendo 3DS online services, discontinued April 8, 2024. |
| Local wireless play | Distinct from internet play; supports nearby systems as described in the game manual. |
| Pokémon Bank | Separate service with an announced end date of February 25, 2027, at 7 p.m. PST. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
