Nintendo Addresses Critical Save Bug in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on Switch Online

The recent release of the GameCube classic, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, via the Nintendo Switch Online service was expected to delight fans. However, the launch has been overshadowed by significant issues, dampening the excitement.

Players have highlighted two main concerns: Firstly, its predecessor, Pokémon Colosseum, is notably absent from the online subscription, creating a disjointed experience for newcomers. More critically, the 21-year-old RPG is plagued by technical problems, a fact now acknowledged by Nintendo itself.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness – Nintendo Vows to Fix Save Issues

If you're currently playing Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness through Nintendo Switch Online and relying solely on the in-game save function, you might be in for a rude awakening. Numerous reports from fans indicate that this feature is currently unreliable, leading to the potential loss of all your progress. Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch Online service provides its own built-in 'save anywhere' feature, which players are strongly advised to use.

This situation is understandably frustrating, but Nintendo has confirmed its awareness of the issue following widespread player feedback. A recent post on their official customer service Twitter/X account stated: "We have received reports regarding errors and game crashes while playing ‘Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness’ via Nintendo GameCube Classics. We are currently investigating the matter to find a solution. We will inform you as soon as we have more information. Please bear with us."

The statement further advised: "Please note that your save data will be lost if the game crashes during play. In this case, please use the ‘Save Anywhere’ function from the game's ‘Pause Menu.’ We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or issues this may have caused," referring to the platform's integrated save feature.

Therefore, if you've been eager to dive into Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness via the paid subscription, it might be wise to wait until Nintendo releases a permanent fix—or ensure you diligently use the alternative 'Save Anywhere' function from the Nintendo Switch Online pause menu to protect your game progress.