Pokémon Bank Launching December 27th

Nintendo have updated the official Pokémon Bank website with a release date and new details.

The app, which includes a copy of Poké Transporter, will allow fans to store their critters online in virtual storage boxes - up to 100 will be available, holding 30 each for a total of 3,000 monsters per account.

Interestingly, the service won't be tied to single copies of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, with multiple packs supported. It's not just for simple storage either, as Nintendo have introduced "Poké Miles" - points earned for the length of time Pokémon are stored in the Pokémon Bank. These can be exchanged for specific items in the Global Link. Alternatively, trainers can opt for "Battle Points" - which are used for earning TMs and items.

Pokémon Bank will begin on December 27th, with a free trial between the release and January 31st 2014. From then on there'll be a cost of £4.49/€4.99 or $4.99 per year to help maintain the service on a long-term basis.

Nintendo also noted that some critters may not be supported from the earlier generations using the Poké Transfer functionality, however the Bank does support multi-region transfers for those with different copies of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y.

Will you use the Pokémon Bank service?