How to get Ash-Greninja before the 3DS eShop closes

Ash-GreninjaAlso called: Battle Bond Greninja, is a special event Pokémon that you can only get one of through an event distribution. You can get this distribution through the demo version. Pokémon SunAnd Moon.

You must note, that you cannot download any of the listed programs if they are not available to you before. Nintendo 3DS eShopAsh-Greninja will be no longer available after the March 27th 2023 deadline.

To do this, you’ll need to at least download the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version. You’ll also need a copy of either Pokémon SunOr Moon, whether it’s a physical or downloaded copy. If you plan on moving the Greninja to later generation games, you will also need Pokémon Bank.

If you have all this stuff, you’re set. While you may be tempted to put off downloading the Greninja demo, it is best not to. Below are the steps required to obtain the Ash-Greninja.

How do you get Ash-Greninja?

1. Launch the Pokémon demo. You’ll be given the Greninja right away to play through the demo with.
2. Finalize the demo. You will need to defeat the Team Skull grunts and head to Ten Carat Hill to complete the Dragon-type Trial. Finally, you must battle Plumeria.
3. After completing the demo, talk to Professor Kukui, who is now hanging out in the Pokémon Center. Let him know that you are interested in sending the Greninja into the complete game. You may need to restart the game after it saves in order for Kukui to appear in the Pokémon Center.
4. Claim your Ash-Greninja from a mystery gift attendant, who will be standing by the Nurse Joy in a Pokémon Center in whichever game you sent the Pokémon to.

If you are trying to get Ash-Greninja in a later generation game, you will need to use Pokémon Bank to transfer it from Pokémon SunAnd Moon.

Greninja cannot be transferred to Pokémon Sword Shield. You can transfer it at any time Pokémon Scarlet Violet, once full Pokémon Home integration is added.

What’s different about Ash-Greninja?

Ash-Greninja is a direct reference to the Pokémon anime, and this demo is the only way to get it. Notably, the Ash-Greninja has the ability Battle Bond, which boosts its stats and transforms it into an Ash-like form after you knock out a Pokémon with it.

It gets a sweet little animation and physical form change when Battle Bond is activated in generation seven Pokémon games, but based on datamines, there is no data for the physical appearance of Ash-Greninja in generation nine games. The stat boost will not be removed.

Ash-Greninja cannot breed either, so there’s no making more of them.