Hi,
Trying to access the classic network through my 2DS to trade through Pokémon White. Input correct DNS codes, connected to WiFi without security and I'm still met with the same error messages when attempting to connect. What am I doing wrong?
I was just nine years old when I received my copy of Pokémon Diamond, which was my introduction to this life-long beloved franchise. Out of the three available starters, I chose Piplup and named him Buddy. We went on to spend countless hours in Sinnoh and even beat the elite four together; a feat I would struggle with even today.
At some point down the line, Pokémon Ranch for the Nintendo Wii was released. For those that aren't familiar, Pokémon Ranch allowed the import/export of Pokémon into a digital ranch, allowing you, and other Pokémon, to interact with one another. Of course, my entire collection of Pokémon made their way onto Ranch because I loved seeing all of their 3D models. The ranch would expand with new additions and reward the player with new toys to play with, as well as new Pokémon to trade.
Fast forward a few years and my interest in the franchise had somewhat waned. It pains me to admit that I simply tossed away my copy of Diamond, along with copies of Soul Silver and Black 2. A younger me couldn't have known just how much those games are valued at today, but I still resent him a little for it. I missed out on the 3DS games and later got back into Pokémon through emulation and Switch entries.
Dusting off my Switch to boot up Brawl and prepare for Smash Ultimate before its release, I rediscovered Pokémon Ranch and was amazed to find my Pokémon still wandering around after all those years. It saddened me to think that they'd been stuck in a sort of digital limbo, but I was determined to get them back. I could simply not forget about Buddy. Imagine my heartbreak when I discovered that Pokémon can only be returned to the original save file they were transferred from.
Knowing he was stuck inside of my Wii was a constant source of anxiety. I'd honoured his memory many times with other Empoleons I'd collected, with names such as Buddy Jr, Bud Light and Mr Bud. Water starters remained my only choice.
Fast forward to the other day. I'd purchased a 2DS to catch up on the games I'd missed and pad out my collection before the closure of Pokémon Bank. With Bank being locked behind the closed doors of the 3DS eShop, I of course had to mod my DS. I began a new save on Pokémon Platinum, chose Piplup as my starter and had a thought... What if? If Buddy was only able to return to the original owner, would it be possible to modify a Diamond save file with IDs that matched those of my first ever save? Yes. It was.
Imagine me, nearly thirty years old now, freaking out after re-establishing connection to Pokémon Ranch. Buddy, along with many other Pokémon, could finally come home.
As an odd sort of hobby, I've been carving these little skulls from cork, painting them and hiding them around the UK (primarily Birmingham). I attach tags to each skull with my IG handle as well as a name unique to that skull. I know that if I were to find something like this out in the wild it'd make my day, so it's fulfilling to know that they'll be found by those on their travels.
My hope is that lots of people will share their finds with me. I like knowing they've gone to good homes.
This has been an odd sort of hobby of mine for some time now. I'd accumulated that many little cork skulls and didn't quite know what to do with them, so decided to turn them into cool little keychains to hide around while out and about.
Edit: I made an Instagram profile for people to share their finds to. My handle is @bonebloke