Time’s running out on the 3DS eShop-grab Ash-Greninja from the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo before it’s gone forever.
Note that if you do not download the programs we list out below before the Nintendo 3DS eShop closes on March 27, 2023, you will not be able to get Ash-Greninja anymore.
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 Sun or 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. You can procrastinate on getting the actual Greninja once you have the demo downloaded, but we recommend just getting it all out of the way. We list the steps to actually get the Ash-Greninja below.
How to get and transfer Ash-Greninja
Download the Pokémon Sun or Moon demo from the 3DS eShop before it shuts down on March 27, 2023. Play through the demo until you reach Ten Carat Hill and battle the Totem Pokémon. Complete the demo, then restart it from the title screen. Transfer your save data to the full Pokémon Sun or Moon game by selecting the transfer option during a new playthrough. This grants you Ash-Greninja, complete with its unique Battle Bond ability and signature water shuriken move. Save your game and enjoy your new powerhouse in battles.
- Launch the Pokémon demo. You’ll be given the Greninja right away to play through the demo with.
- Finish the demo. This requires you to beat the Team Skull grunts, head up to Ten Carat Hill, complete the dragon-type trial, and defeat Plumeria in battle.
- After completing the demo, talk to Professor Kukui, who is now hanging out in the Pokémon Center. Tell him you want to send the Greninja to the full game. You may need to restart the game after it saves in order for Kukui to appear in the Pokémon Center.
- 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 Sun and Moon.
Note that Greninja is not available to transfer to Pokémon Sword and Shield. It will be transferrable at some point to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, once full Pokémon Home integration is added.
What’s different about Ash-Greninja?
Ash-Greninja stands out from regular Greninja thanks to its special bond with Ash from the Pokémon anime. This connection triggers a unique transformation known as the Bond Phenomenon, boosting its power, speed, and giving it a distinct appearance featuring Ash’s color scheme and markings. Unlike Mega Evolution, this form doesn’t require a stone-it’s purely based on trust and teamwork, making Ash-Greninja a rare Pokémon with both story significance and strong battle potential.
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. It will, however, still get a stat boost.
Detailed walkthrough of Pokémon Sun and Moon demo main story
The Pokémon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version features a compact main story set in Hau’oli City outskirts, focusing on a trial with your starter Greninja to unlock Ash-Greninja for transfer to the full game. It takes about 20-30 minutes and culminates in battles against wild Pokémon and Team Skull.
Starting Out
Exit Hau’oli City Hall after the intro cutscene where Hau greets you. Immediately outside, battle two Team Skull Grunts and their Yungoos (use Greninja’s Water Shuriken for quick wins). Head north to the Pokémon Center; Hau gives you a Super Potion, and Professor Kukui introduces the trial-accept it.
Entering Ten Carat Hill
Exit the Pokémon Center northward and speak to the man at the town’s edge to warp to Ten Carat Hill (or Mahalo Trail entrance). Battle through tall grass patches en route to the cave entrance, where Kukui awaits inside. He hands you the Poké Finder gadget and tasks you with photographing and battling four specific Pokémon in the surrounding tall grass areas.
Poké Finder Trials
Scan tall grass with the Poké Finder (L button to aim, R to scan for sparkles):
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First Pokémon: Northeast near the cave entrance-Gumshoos (evolves to stronger form if missed).
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Second: East side, by rocks-a shiny-like sparkling Pikipek.
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Third: Southeast tall grass patch-Crabrawler.
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Fourth: Far north near summit rocks-stubborn Yungoos/Rattata pair, then Totem Rattata.
Each sparkle leads to a photo op followed by a battle; defeat them to progress (Greninja handles most easily). Return to Kukui after all four.
Totem Pokémon Battles
Kukui sends you deeper into the cave for the trial finale:
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Battle Totem Gumshoos (Lv. 10, with ally Rattata)-use items if needed.
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Next, Totem Pikipek (Lv. 10, allies Yungoos)-grab the nearby Adrenaline Orb for speed boost.
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Finally, Totem Hakamo-o (Lv. 12, with allies)-this dragon-type hits hard; heal often.
Kukui rewards you with a Z-Ring and Pikipek’s Electrium Z post-victory.
Final Showdown
Hau bursts in, pursued by Team Skull Admin Plumeria and her Golbat (Lv. 15). Add Pikipek (evolves to Trumbeak during battle) to your team if not already. Use Pikipek’s new Z-Move, Gigavolt Havoc (Electrium Z + Thunderbolt), for a one-shot super-effective win. This completes the main story, triggering a trailer and save-restart the demo afterward to transfer Ash-Greninja via Kukui on the save select screen.
How to find all secret items and Stardust in the demo
The Pokémon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version hides several secret items and Stardust that can be transferred to the full game alongside Ash-Greninja. These are accessible during or after the main story in Hau’oli City and Mahalo Trail/Ten Carat Hill areas.
Stardust Locations
Three Stardust items come from an optional side path:
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From the Pokémon Center, head east then southeast to the Slowpoke barricade.
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Talk to the girl on the left; accept her offer to ride Tauros to Mahalo Trail.
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Use Y to summon Tauros, smash through all rocks with B up the hill, and meet the Mysterious Old Man at the end for 3 Stardust.
Other Secret Items
Complete these post-story or during exploration for transferrable gifts:
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10 Quick Balls: Return to Ten Carat Hill summit after the trial; check sparkling spots in tall grass for hidden balls (scan with Poké Finder if needed).
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5 Great Balls: Battle and defeat all optional trainer encounters near the cave entrance (e.g., Youngster with Yungoos).
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Electrium Z (extra): Already earned in the story, but revisit Pikipek photo spot post-game for a duplicate if missed dialogue.
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Stickers/Crystals: Finish optional battles like the Crabrawler rematch or extra tall grass scans for 5 Battle Royal Dome stickers and 3 Manalo Berries (counts as crystals).
Collection Tips
Talk to every NPC (like Hau or Kukui repeatedly) and re-explore areas after story completion before restarting the demo. All items appear in Professor Kukui’s delivery during transfer to Sun/Moon/Ultra versions. Save before restarting to avoid losing progress on secrets.
