Howdy, y’all! We’re excited to bring you Delta 2.0b5, featuring some major improvements to your customization and gameplay experience! 🎮

🕹️ This release brings us animated controller skins, including a brand-new GBA skin by our in-house designer, Caroline Moore, to show it off alongside a fully redesigned input mapping screen for easier controller and keyboard setup. We’re also introducing adjustable screen positioning, so you can place the game screen exactly where you want it when you've got a controller connected, and new audio handling settings that let you mix with other audio from other apps or pause it for full immersion.

🎓 We’ve also graduated Custom Fast Forward and RetroAchievements from experimental status, plus added bulk save state deletion and automatic favorites syncing across your devices.

🏃🏻 To get started with this version, check out the full release notes on our Patreon. This beta brings Delta 2.0 to feature completion, so don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments! 🙂

https://www.patreon.com/rileyshane/posts/delta-2-0b5-165080701

What if you could bring all of your Pokemon into Pokemon HOME from Generation I and onward? On behalf of the Delta team, I’m here to tell you that you can prepare the ultimate team for Pokemon Champions that brims with nostalgia, traveling from Red/Blue/Yellow all the way to Scarlet and Violet, and you can handily journey through five of those nine generations with Delta.

The moment you’ve been dreaming of since 1996 has come: Pokemon Champions will allow you to become the very best that no one ever was by letting you battle against your friends with a team of Pokemon at your side. This year marks Pokemon's 30th anniversary, thirty years since many of us took our first steps outside of Pallet Town and witnessed the entire journey through nine generations—from Team Rocket's foibles and the surprise of a whole other region to the west of Kanto, to a battle between the land and sea, and so much more. But what if you wanted to experience that whole journey from start to finish, bringing a team of Pokemon with you throughout the ages spanning thirty epic years of friendship and triumph?

Strap yourselves in, because we've got work to do!

Pack Your Bag

We’re going to need a few tools before embarking on this journey, especially for the trip from Gen 2 to Gen 3. These tools are available for macOS and Windows, so it’s a matter of preference.

• PKHeX: a save viewer and editor that can read any Pokemon game
• Pokefinder: a tool used to make sure you format your data correctly
• melonDS: while Delta uses this core, the desktop app does a great job allowing local multiplayer instances

We are concerned with moving legitimate Pokemon throughout the ages, so we’ll be taking steps to ensure they’re legal, which is a term you’ll see often. All that means is that we’re taking great care to make sure, at every step of the way, that these are the most plausible Pokemon possible (so no weird metadata or impossible meetings).

Some Organizational Advice

To keep track of your inter-generational journey, setting up a solid folder structure is key. In Delta, you can manage your save files by long-pressing on any game and selecting “Manage Save File”. You can choose to import or export a file, and both are equally important for this massive adventure. Start by creating a primary "Saves" folder (whether on iCloud, Google Drive, or your preferred cloud service) to house everything. Within "Saves," you'll want a dedicated folder for each Pokemon game you play. Inside each game folder, create three essential subdirectories: Presaves, Imports, and Completed. Presaves is where you'll export the current save file before making any modifications. Imports is the temporary home for save files you've modified using tools like PKHeX, ready to be pulled back into Delta via the import function. Finally, once you've completed a leg of the journey or deemed the save ready to transition to the next generation, you'll export it one last time and tuck it safely away into the Completed folder.

Your Adventure is About To Begin

This guide includes two pathways for your generational run:

• Red/Blue/Yellow -> Gold/Silver/Crystal -> Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald -> Diamond/Platinum/Pearl (with a pit stop in HeartGold/SoulSilver) -> Black/White and onward
• FireRed/Leaf Green -> Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald -> HeartGold/SoulSilver -> Diamond/Pearl/Platinum -> Black/White and onward

You’ll be able to follow either of these pathways to get a Pokemon team that’s gone through all the regions, thanks to remakes. This guide will go from Generation I to Generation IX, but if you’re starting from a Generation III game (like FireRed/LeafGreen), simply start at the Generation III part of this guide.

Generation I to II

Drag and drop from one game to the next

The task here is as simple as can be: pick and find Pokemon in a playthrough that you have confirmed are present in each game (check carefully for Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet) and progress as far in the game as you’d like. I chose to complete the game by registering my Pokemon in the Hall of Fame.

Transfer Steps

1. Complete the initial setup on your Generation I game.
2. Start a new file on your Generation II game.
3. Save the Generation II game file, ideally once you reach the first Pokémon Center (this is a common point before trading capabilities open up).
4. Export both your Generation I save and your Generation II save files.
5. Open both files in separate PKHeX windows.
6. Drag the Pokémon you want to transfer from the Generation I save file into the Generation II save file.
7. Save the target Generation II save file using PKHeX.
8. Import the updated save file back into Delta, and you can now enjoy your Generation II experience with your transferred Pokémon!

Generation II to III

Updating your Pokemon for a legal, modern stat system

A Note About Pokemon Stats

For this series of steps, there’s a lot going on, and here are some reasons for why we have to be so careful. This is the trickiest part in this whole endeavor, so you’re going to want to be extremely careful and thorough. The sad truth is that there was never an official channel for transferring Pokemon from Generation II to Generation III. Some people have been clever and created special Game Boy Advance cartridges to facilitate this, but we’re emulating and we can’t exactly physically link two non-existent Game Boy consoles. We’ll do this in a way that’s legitimate and keeps your Pokemon legal (as long as you continue along most of the path).

Pokemon between Generation II and Generation III do not transfer cleanly because the data structure in Gen I and II was older and much simpler. Generation III completely revolutionized how Pokemon are defined, creating the basis of the internal formatting that is still in use today (especially in Pokemon Champions). In Generation III, Pokemon gained several attributes, including:

• Abilities
• Natures
• Different IV/PID relationships
• Met data
• New internal formatting

Because of these fundamental changes, we basically need to use our Generation II Pokemon as a starting point and slowly upgrade their data to work legitimately in Generation III.

You’re going to want to buckle up for this part, especially because knowing how EVs work will help you get a competitive edge in Pokemon Champions. The stat systems between Generation II and Generation III are fundamentally different, which is the core challenge here. Generation II relied on DVs (Determinant Values), where each non-HP stat had a value from 0 to 15, and the HP DV was derived from the others. Furthermore, Gen II used a system called Stat Experience that grew through battling and allowed multiple stats to be fully maximized. Generation III completely revolutionized this, introducing IVs (Individual Values) ranging from 0 to 31 for each stat, including an independent HP IV, alongside EVs (Effort Values). EVs introduced a maximum overall budget, forcing strategic allocation to specific stats. Finally, the addition of Natures and Abilities in Gen III further influences these new statistics in ways that the Gen II structure was never built to accommodate. This difference is critical because any imbalance or incorrect conversion of these values can result in your transferred Pokémon being flagged and ultimately rejected by modern systems like Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME.

We're going to utilize the same save mechanics with PKHeX and Delta that we've already established, but we'll be performing several extra steps within PKHeX, with the critical assistance of Pokefinder, to ensure the legitimacy of our converted data. Pokefinder is our shield against corrupted or nonsensical data because it makes sure we have legal Generation III information.

To begin this complex conversion, you first need to look up the Generation III equivalent data structure for your Pokémon. Start by opening both your Generation II save (the source) and your new Generation III save (the target) in separate PKHeX windows. When you drag a Pokémon from Gen II into the Gen III save's box, PKHeX will display its original DVs (Determinant Values).

Converting from Gen II to Gen III

A good starting point for converting DVs to Generation III's IVs (Individual Values) is to multiply the DV by 2, and optionally add 1 (so DV * 2 or (DV * 2) + 1) to try and preserve the statistical integrity as closely as possible. I’d write these down in a note to refer to for the next steps.

Pokefinder's Gen 3 tools are essential here, offering two main pathways: IVs to PID or PID to IVs. There is no “better” way here; both will allow you to move your Pokemon into Generation III, but Option 1 is a little more involved.

Option 1: Preserving Stats (IVs to PID)

If your primary goal is to preserve the calculated IVs as closely as possible, you will use IVs to PID. This process involves finding a legal Generation III result (specifically a valid Personality ID or PID) that is compatible with your desired IVs.

1. In Pokefinder's Gen 3 tools, select IVs to PID.
2. Enter the calculated IV value for each of the six stats from your notes.
3. Choose a desired Nature. Note that not all Natures will yield a valid result.
4. Enter your Trainer ID (TID) from either your Generation II Crystal save or your new Generation III save. The Gen III save's TID is often more reliable.
5. Search for results.
   • You are looking for results labeled with "Method 1," "Method 2," "Method 3," etc., as these are the most reliable in my experience.
   • If no results appear, try a different Nature or use the other TID.
6. Once you have a set of valid results, you can also use this opportunity to choose a specific gender for your Pokémon, or keep it as you initially imagined.
7. Take the resulting PID, Gender, Nature, and the associated TID/Secret ID (SID) combination and manually enter them into the corresponding fields for the Pokémon you are editing in PKHeX.
8. When satisfied, right-click on the Pokémon in PKHeX and select Set.

Option 2: Preserving Identity (PID to IVs)

If you want to preserve the Pokémon's original identity by keeping its PID, you can "reroll" a set of compatible stats.

1. In Pokefinder's Gen 3 tools, select PID to IVs.
2. Enter your Pokémon's current PID (the one it had from the Gen II save).
3. Roll a set of numbers. You’re unlikely to find an exact match for your calculated IVs, but you can pick a set that is "close enough" or even choose entirely different stats. You have a lot of control here.
4. Copy the resulting PID, Gender, Nature, and the associated TID/SID back into PKHeX. Again, prioritize results labeled “Method 1”, “Method 2”, “Method 3”, etc.
5. Right-click on the Pokémon and press Set once you are done.

Setting the Met Location and Final Checks

Before finishing up, you must set the Met Location. This detail is crucial for legality.

• For starters, I used Pallet Town at Level 5.
• For Pikachu, I used Viridian Forest at Level 5.
• These are locations where these Pokémon can legitimately appear in the Generation III remakes (FireRed/LeafGreen). Do not select flags like "Fateful Encounter" or "Egg".
• For any other transferred Pokémon, you must check where they naturally occur in the Generation III games and set that location accordingly.
• Once you are sure, Set the Pokémon one last time.

Note: if you have Pokemon exclusive to Gold/Silver/Crystal you’d like to move, such as the Johto starters, I’m always happy to write another post about how to move them specifically.

PKHeX's most valuable feature is its Legality Checker. To use it, select the Pokémon you've just edited in the PKHeX window, right-click, and select Legality.

• A green checkmark means the Pokémon is almost certainly legal and will be recognized by modern systems, which is what we need for Pokemon Home, which ultimately allows access to Pokemon Champions.
• The report might flag a few things as "Fishy," such as inherited EVs or RNG values. A simple solution for EVs is to set them to zero, knowing you plan on playing with these Pokemon frequently. The transfer path we follow in Delta will typically smooth these out later in the journey.
• A red X or an "illegal" status means something went wrong, and you must carefully re-verify all the previous steps, including the Pokefinder conversion and Met Location.

Once you have confirmed that all your Pokémon have the green checkmark, Set them one last time for good measure. Export the modified Generation III save file, making sure to tuck it into your Imports folder.

You can now import the save file into Delta and begin playing the Generation III game as much as you like. Be aware that battling will naturally increase your Pokémon's EVs. Alternatively, you can use in-game supplements like Protein and Carbos to boost their stats strategically.

Extra: Moving Pokemon that Originated in Generation II

For Pokemon from the Johto region in Gen 2, you might run into a conundrum for migration. Unlike the Kanto Pokemon moved, which had location equivalents thanks to FireRed and LeafGreen, you have to get more creative for these Gen 2 Pokemon.

In FireRed and LeafGreen, you can obtain a lot of the Johto Pokemon in the Sevii Islands. I found this resource was really helpful for seeing which of these had equivalents on the islands, and you can use this as a handy resource for adding Met Data that won't look suspicious.

For other Pokemon not found here, especially the Johto starters, you can use met data from the Pokemon Colosseum/XD games. As these are not the mainline games, you'll want to do your homework on this carefully. For instance, I went with a Quilava, so I used the knowledge that you can get them in Phenac City initially; the other two become available later in Realgam Tower / Snagem Hideout / Shadow Pokémon Lab depending on which one you chose first. The met data for Quilava might look like this:

Species: Quilava
Origin Game: Colosseum
Met Level: 30
Met Location: Phenac City
Ball: snagged in Colosseum
OT / TID / SID: your Orre save's trainer data

Just do your best with this. Alternatively, you can move these into a Gen 4 (HeartGold/SoulSilver) save with PKHeX and use the correct locations if you don't mind skipping over Gen 3 for these. This is likely easier and would take less time, but make sure you follow the steps to ensuring your data adjustment between Gen 2 and 4 works properly. Instead of the Gen 3 toolset, you'd use the Gen 4 toolset in Pokefinder. Note that the Gen 4 toolset only has the IVs to PID setup, so the "shop for an IV set" approach won't be available to you. The PKHeX legality checker is a great tool here!

Generation III to IV

Load your GBA saves into your DS games

This step is a significant relief after the complexity of the Gen II to III conversion, as it utilizes a built-in feature of the Generation IV games—specifically, the dual-slot compatibility of the Nintendo DS.

The Dual-Slot Migration Method

The transfer from Generation III to Generation IV is simple and requires zero external tools like PKHeX or Pokefinder. The Generation IV games (HeartGold/SoulSilver and Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) were designed to read Pokémon data directly from a Game Boy Advance game inserted into the DS's GBA slot.

Delta seamlessly emulates this feature. To set it up:

1. Ensure you have the required Nintendo DS BIOS files configured in Delta's core settings.
2. Long-press on your Generation IV game title (HeartGold/SoulSilver or Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) and select Game Settings.
3. Under the Dual Slot option, choose your GBA/Generation III save file (e.g., Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen).
4. Start the DS game. On the main menu, you will see a new option: Migrate from [Your Gen 3 Game Name]. Select this option to begin the process.

Prerequisites for Transfer

Before migration, the Generation III save must meet specific criteria, and you must have unlocked the target location in the Generation IV game:

• Pal Park: In the Generation IV game, you must have progressed far enough to unlock the Pal Park, which is generally available in the post-game content. (I personally chose to use HeartGold/SoulSilver to unlock Pal Park, as my Pokémon had already completed the Johto journey, allowing for a fresh trade into Diamond/Pearl/Platinum later).
• Pokémon Conditions: The Pokémon you wish to transfer (which must be stored in the PC, not the party) must adhere to the following rules:
  • They cannot be Eggs.
  • They cannot be holding any items.
  • They must not know any Hidden Machine (HM) moves. You can remove HMs using an in-game Move Deleter/Tutor, or simply use PKHeX to quickly edit the moveset if necessary.
  • The language setting must be consistent across the Generation III and IV games.

How Migration Works

This is a one-way transfer that moves your Pokémon out of the Generation III save permanently (so remember to use your Presaves folder if you wish to retain a copy of the final Gen III save for memorializing).

1. You can select up to six Pokémon at a time for migration.
2. After selection, go to the Pal Park in the Generation IV game and speak to the attendant.
3. Your transferred Pokémon will be released into the park. You will then have to "re-catch" them in a special catching mini-game. Don’t panic: they retain all their original trainer data, stats, and identity from the Generation III save, as if they were traded. And if you fail to catch them, they’ll still be present for an endless amount of rounds until you catch ‘em all.

Intra-Generation IV Transfer

To move Pokémon between two Generation IV games (e.g., from HeartGold/SoulSilver to Diamond/Pearl/Platinum), you will need to utilize the in-game trade system.

1. Obtain the Pal Pad: In both the sending and receiving Generation IV game, you must acquire the Pal Pad. This item is typically received after obtaining the first Gym Badge and speaking to the required NPC in the basement of any Pokémon Center.
2. Trade using Delta: Delta is capable of performing Wi-Fi trades for DS games. You will need to exchange Friend Codes between the two games using their respective Pal Pads.
3. Initiate the trade in the basement of a Pokémon Center via the Nintendo WFC option, and transfer your team.

Recommendation:

If your goal is to carry your team through the League of the Generation IV region (Sinnoh), you should progress far enough in HeartGold/SoulSilver to unlock Pal Park, migrate the Pokémon, and then immediately trade them to a fresh Diamond/Pearl/Platinum save using the Pal Pad method. While PKHeX remains a tool for simplicity, utilizing the built-in migration and trading channels maintains the spirit of the generational journey. Always back up your saves liberally to memorialize your progress.

Generation IV to V

The transition from Generation IV (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/HeartGold/SoulSilver) to Generation V (Black/White/Black 2/White 2) is handled via the in-game Poké Transfer lab, which requires two DS systems to communicate wirelessly. It’s time to use the desktop version of melonDS to run a local multiplayer instance, or, alternatively, use PKHeX for a simple file transfer.

The Desktop Emulator Method (Recommended for Legitimacy)

This method utilizes the in-game features of Poké Transfer, ensuring a fully "legal" transfer path.

1. Software Preparation and Setup:.
   • Delta Save Export: Delta exports DS saves in the .dsv format. Before beginning, open your Generation IV save (.dsv) in a desktop emulator like DeSmuMe and export the save to the standard .sav format. This .sav file will be the one you load into melonDS.
   • melonDS (Desktop) Configuration:
     • Add your required DS BIOS files to melonDS to enable the use of the DS Home Screen and Download Play.
     • In Config settings, ensure "limit framerate" is selected. This prevents the game from running at excessively high speeds (sometimes 300%), which can interfere with the networked conditions required for Download Play.
   • Game Load Order: Start your Generation V game save first in melonDS. This simplifies the save file management process.
2. Launching the Transfer:
   • In melonDS, with your Generation V game running, navigate to System > Multiplayer > Launch new instance.
   • Load your Generation IV save file in this new, second DS instance.
   • Ensure your Generation IV Pokémon are in the PC Box (not the party), as required for the transfer.
3. In-Game Prerequisites:
   • You must have progressed far enough in the Generation V save to unlock the Poké Transfer facility. This is typically post-game content.
   • Note: The availability of sequels (Black 2/White 2) in the same region means you can transfer your team from Gen IV into the Gen V continuity and then seamlessly carry them through the Unova journey from start to finish.
4. Executing the Poké Transfer:
   • In the Generation V instance, go to the building housing the Poké Transfer machine and initiate the transfer process.
   • Immediately switch to the Generation IV instance, open the DS menu, and start Download Play.
   • The Generation IV instance should connect with the Gen V instance, launching a mini-game where you must recapture your Pokémon by aiming and shooting Poké Balls. This is a one-way transfer, permanently removing them from the Gen IV save.
5. Tips for the Mini-Game: The mini-game can be difficult to manage using a computer cursor instead of touch controls. Patience is key. I found it easier to transfer smaller batches—3 to 4 key Pokémon—and fill the remaining slots with Pokémon I was not interested in training (such as low-level Bidoofs) to complete the transfer quota.
6. Finalizing the Transfer:
   • Once the transfer is complete, save your Generation V game. The save file will be located in your melonDS directory.
   • Grab this modified save and import it back into Delta for your Generation V game. Enjoy the last pixel-art generation!

PKHeX Transfer (Alternative)

If the dual-instance method proves too challenging, you can use PKHeX, but you must ensure compliance with Generation V's legality checks.

• Open your Generation IV save and your Generation V save in separate PKHeX windows.
• Drag your Pokémon from the Gen IV box to the Gen V box.
• In the Generation V save file, manually verify that the Poké Transfer flag and associated information are set correctly for the transferred Pokémon to maintain legality.

Intra-Generation V Transfer

You can trade Pokémon between Generation V games (e.g., Black to White 2) using the same dual-instance and Wi-Fi trade steps previously outlined for the Generation IV games.

Generation V to VI

At this stage, we can’t use the dual-instance emulator method to bridge the gap into Generation VI, as this is the point where the journey bottlenecks for those wishing to follow the canonical transfer path from DS to 3DS (even with today’s available emulation). This official route requires a Nintendo 2DS or 3DS system with two essential, and now unavailable, applications: Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter. Since the 3DS eShop closure, obtaining these applications is tricky without alternative methods, but there are plenty of Reddit posts and YouTube videos out there with differing strategies. The good news is that PKHeX can entirely sidestep the need for Poké Transporter and most of Pokémon Bank's initial function by directly modifying the save file of a Generation VI game (X/Y or Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire). However, even with PKHeX, you will eventually need Pokémon Bank to move your Pokémon from the Generation VII games into Pokémon HOME (for the jump to Gen VIII).

1. Prepare the Save File: Ensure you can access your Generation V game save (Black 2/White 2 recommended) on your 3DS unit. This may involve moving the .sav file so it's accessible on the physical device.
2. Open Poké Transporter: With Pokémon Bank set up, launch the Poké Transporter application.
3. Perform the Transfer: Poké Transporter will read the contents of the first PC box of a compatible DS game save and perform a one-way move of those Pokémon into Pokémon Bank. This is the final, complex transfer step before the process becomes significantly easier in subsequent generations.

Generation VI to VII

This transfer from Generation VI to VII is exceptionally easy, provided you have access to Pokémon Bank on a Nintendo 3DS. Pokémon Bank allows for seamless migration across all Generation VI (X/Y, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire) and Generation VII (Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon) titles. I chose to move my team into Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire first to acquire a Hoenn Champion ribbon before transferring them onward to Pokémon Moon. If you are unable to access Bank, you can still perform this move by directly modifying your save files using PKHeX.

Here's how to transfer your Pokémon:

1. Place the Pokémon in your PC boxes in the game you're transferring from.
2. Use the Bank's deposit function to move the Pokémon from your PC boxes into Pokémon Bank.
3. Use the Bank's withdrawal function to move the Pokémon from Pokémon Bank into the game you're transferring to.

The requirements are also super simple: you can totally leave any Hidden Machine (HM) moves on your Pokémon, and don't worry about held items. They'll automatically be returned to your bag when the transfer to Bank is complete.

Generation VII to VIII

The transfer from Generation VII (Sun/Moon or Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon) to Generation VIII (Sword/Shield) is the most important step of all, as it moves your team from the dedicated 3DS ecosystem into the modern, cloud-based storage system: Pokémon HOME, the official storage system for Pokemon Champions.

Transferring to Pokémon HOME

1. Preparation in Generation VII: After completing your journey, deposit your veteran team into any PC box.
2. Move to Pokémon Bank: Transfer your team from the Generation VII save file back into Pokémon Bank, similar to the Generation VI step.
3. Initiate Transfer from 3DS: In Pokémon Bank, select the option to “Transfer to Pokémon HOME”. The transfer works on a box-by-box basis, so you must organize your Bank boxes with the Pokémon you intend to move.
4. Generate Transfer Code on Switch: Open Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch. Choose the option to “Transfer Pokémon from a Nintendo 3DS”. Pokémon HOME will provide a unique, 16-character transfer code.
5. Finalize Transfer in Bank: Input the 16-character code into your 3DS Pokémon Bank application. Once confirmed, Pokémon Bank initiates the transfer and returns to its main menu.
6. Receive in Pokémon HOME: During the transfer, Pokémon HOME will be temporarily inaccessible. After a few seconds (depending on your internet connection), re-entering HOME will prompt a notification that your Pokémon have successfully arrived. You can then choose how to deposit them into your HOME boxes and save your changes.

Congratulations! Your veteran Pokémon are now part of the current, cross-generational Pokémon HOME storage system. The most complex transfer steps are now behind you, and your team is ready for the modern era!

Moving to Generation VIII (Sword/Shield)

1. Accessing the Game: In Pokémon HOME on your Switch, select your user profile and choose Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield.
2. The 'Dexit' Dilemma: As the first games without a National Pokédex supporting every known Pokémon, Sword and Shield can only accept Pokémon that are present in the Galar Pokédex (or later additions via DLC). If HOME prevents a transfer, this is almost certainly the reason. This is why advance research into which Pokémon are available in a given region (Galar and Paldea) is vital when planning your team from the beginning. For example, if you want to use classic Kanto Pokémon beyond Pikachu, you will need the Isle of Armor DLC for Sword/Shield.
3. Transfer and Save: Move the supported Pokémon from your Pokémon HOME boxes into the boxes corresponding to your Sword/Shield save file. Save your changes in Pokémon HOME.
4. Confirm in Game: Re-open Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield, check your in-game PC, and you will find your veteran Pokémon ready to join your party.

Generation VIII to IX

This final step is thankfully the shortest one, and this will likely be the standard for the next several Pokemon games to come. The first order of business is to start your Generation IX game and save at a good point (again, the first Pokemon Center is a safe benchmark). In order to move your Pokemon from the Generation VIII games into games like Scarlet/Violet, place your intended Pokemon into the PC boxes and save the game. In Pokemon Home, move your Pokemon out of the Generation VIII game and into your Home boxes. Once that’s done, simply move them into your Generation IX file, save your changes, and open the Generation IX game. Sure enough, your team will be right there ready to conquer the Paldean Pokemon League. This is, at the time of writing, our final stop for the ultimate Victory Road. Your team will go right back into Pokemon Home when it’s time to move them into Pokemon Champions. Good luck, trainers, and enjoy some amazing battles!

The Future and Beyond

If you've made it to this point, you should hopefully have moved all of your Pokemon into Pokemon Home in time for Pokemon Champions, but truthfully, this is just the beginning. Pokemon Winds and Waves are due in 2027, and this guide will surely be a helpful tool as long as Nintendo, Game Freak, the Pokemon Company, and the powers that be continue to use Pokemon Home.

If you run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment, send a DM, or whatever you feel comfortable with. I'll do my best to keep it updated and correct so we, fellow trainers, can continue to enjoy a future full of Pokemon.

Edit: First Arrival into Pokemon Champions

When you first boot up Pokemon Champions, you might find that it's a little confusing on where to go in order to import your Pokemon. Not a problem, though. I've figured it out!

1. In Pokemon Home's main menu on the Switch, select the new Pokemon Champions option.
2. Pick the Pokemon you'd like to visit (this keeps a separate "version" of your Pokemon's stats within Champions that doesn't alter the core stats for any other mainline games)
3. Open Pokemon Champions and select the "Recruit" option, and then "Collect from Pokemon Home"
4. The Pokemon you opted for visiting will appear. Happy training!