Pokémon Global Link for Black & White generation closing in Janauary

Ahead of the launch of Pokémon X & Y, Nintendo has announced plans to retire Global Link for the Black & White games.

The current version of Pokémon Global Link services Pokémon Black Version, Pokémon White Version, Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, and will be closed "completely" on January 14 2014, Nintendo has confirmed.

When Global Link closes, "all connection functionality with these video games will become unavailable".

Although you won't be able to make any more online progress in the Black & White games, you will be able to carry some achievements and statistics over to the new Global Link, which will launch in support of Pokémon X & Y in October this year. To take advantage, just register with your existing Global Link user name.

"In the near future, we will provide more details about this new Pokémon X and Pokémon Y version of the Pokémon Global Link, as well as our plans for the players who have enjoyed the current Pokémon Global Link until now," Nintendo promised, somewhat mysteriously.

"Pokémon Global Link first opened in Japan in September of 2010. We are very appreciative of everyone who has used the service over the last three years, and apologize for any inconvenience that may be caused by its closure."

The Black & White generation was built for the DS, while X & Y will be the first entry in the series developed specifically for 3DS.

Thanks, Polygon.