Why is pokemon moon so laggy

[Savont 2.0]

i just started playing moon on the 3ds and sometimes, even when i'm not in a double battle the lag is insane.
it's only in pokemon battles i have no clue why the routes don't have lag, and this proves that pokemon games have always been kinda laggy but some more than others (*cough* * cough* pokemon violet)
Anyways I was wondering if this is because of the 3ds being an old console and struggling with age, or of this is a problem from the start.
i hope someone can answer how to fix lag, but if there isn't a fix that's ok too

 

[Zinnia.]

I'm not sure if there's a way to fix it since it's a performance issue. it seems to be pretty normal if you're using one of the original 2ds or 3ds models that has to use extended memory mode :(
it might run better on a new 3ds/2ds model?

 

[xSuperMario64x]

I get the feeling that the game wasn't optimized for the older 3DS consoles. I'm not sure because I've never owned or played a "New" 3DS. but I noticed the lag when I played through UM and it was pretty annoying.

I should also mention that this seems to have been a consistent issue starting with Gen 7, even the Switch games have lag issues. maybe that's why I don't like to play the newer games. lag really turned me off of ACNH as well.

 

[Seastar]

I didn't notice that much lag but I actually played it on one of the "New" systems, so that might be why?

I should also mention that this seems to have been a consistent issue starting with Gen 7, even the Switch games have lag issues. maybe that's why I don't like to play the newer games. lag really turned me off of ACNH as well.

This however, seems also true. I haven't played gen 8 or 9 yet though have heard complaints and I know ACNH will start lagging from being covered in flowers.

 

[Devicho]

I get the feeling that the game wasn't optimized for the older 3DS consoles. I'm not sure because I've never owned or played a "New" 3DS. but I noticed the lag when I played through UM and it was pretty annoying.

I should also mention that this seems to have been a consistent issue starting with Gen 7, even the Switch games have lag issues. maybe that's why I don't like to play the newer games. lag really turned me off of ACNH as well.

It's been a while since I've played X or Y, but I recall those games also having lag issues, especially in double battles. So, the lag goes back to Gen 6, too. (I also find myself enjoying the later games less, and have largely skipped the Switch entries, but for me I think lag is a smaller component than the various other choices that just make the games less enticing to replay than the older games where it's comparatively easy to just get right into the action.)

 

[Rainy.Nights]

It's one of those games that definitely has performance differences depending on the 3DS model. I mainly played through moon on my New 3DS XL and didn't really notice any problem. But I've also briefly tested it out on my older 3DS and there is some occasional noticeable lag and longer loading times.

 

[Dim]

Yeahhh I don't recall having frame rate issues and I know I used New 3DS XL for that. I do remember not being able to use the 3D feature completely though. It was pokemon battles only in XY/ORAS but they took it out completely in SM.

 

[Savont 2.0]

I get the feeling that the game wasn't optimized for the older 3DS consoles. I'm not sure because I've never owned or played a "New" 3DS. but I noticed the lag when I played through UM and it was pretty annoying.

I should also mention that this seems to have been a consistent issue starting with Gen 7, even the Switch games have lag issues. maybe that's why I don't like to play the newer games. lag really turned me off of ACNH as well.

i don;t get lag in acnh but with how exellent moon is in other ways still worth my 20 dollars

Post automatically merged: Mar 21, 2025

Yeahhh I don't recall having frame rate issues and I know I used New 3DS XL for that. I do remember not being able to use the 3D feature completely though. It was pokemon battles only in XY/ORAS but they took it out completely in SM.

the 3d feature causes intense eye pain and headaches for me it was fun at first, but now i'm afraid to use it

 

[Lancelot]

I remember my game lagging when it first came out, it was only the first few times I used Z Moves though. I think my 3DS got used to it after a while so maybe yours will be the same

 

[Sayori]

It's one of those games that definitely has performance differences depending on the 3DS model. I mainly played through moon on my New 3DS XL and didn't really notice any problem. But I've also briefly tested it out on my older 3DS and there is some occasional noticeable lag and longer loading times.

i can confirm this! i fully played through moon on the same console and had no issues, and i’ve never thought of the 3ds as being “laggy” personally. i only remember having to wait a while between loading screens, but that might’ve just been my impatience ..

that said, i just looked it up and this might just be a problem 2/3ds has had from the start. apparently sm/usum tend to bring out the laggiest graphics for both consoles (“new” included), especially in double battles. as for fixes, according to this forum post (linked for proof) you can:

1. back up your sd card data to your computer (very very important! this has all your 3ds’ data)
2. reformat your sd card (this is what solves the issue!)
3. transfer back the data from your computer > sd card

if you do the method above: make sure your computer has a sd card slot, do your research, and good luck!