How To Reset A Pokemon Sun Game

To reset a Pokémon Sun game, press A, B, X, and Y simultaneously on the title screen.

Have you ever wanted a fresh start in Alola, perhaps to try a different starter or simply relive the adventure? Maybe you made some choices you now regret, or you’re handing your game down. Either way, knowing how to reset a pokemon sun game is essential for any trainer. It’s simpler than you might think, and allows you to begin your journey anew. We will guide you through the process with ease.

How to Reset a Pokemon Sun Game

So, you’re thinking about starting your Pokemon Sun adventure all over again? Maybe you want to try a different starter, or perhaps you just want to relive the story. Whatever the reason, resetting your game is totally possible! But it’s not as simple as pressing a button on your Nintendo 3DS. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to reset your Pokemon Sun game, ensuring you can get back to the Alola region as a brand-new trainer. We’ll talk about the different kinds of resets, why you might want to do one, and exactly how to do it safely so you don’t lose any special Pokemon you want to keep.

Understanding Different Types of Resets

Before you actually start pushing buttons, it’s good to know what kind of reset you’re looking at. There are a few ways people use the term “reset,” and they have different meanings for your game. Let’s break them down:

Soft Reset vs. Hard Reset

The first thing to understand is that there’s a difference between a ‘soft reset’ and a ‘hard reset.’ These terms are often used in gaming, and it’s good to know what they mean. This will also help you understand how to reset your Pokemon sun game effectively.

Soft Reset: A soft reset is like giving your game a little tap. It restarts the game from the main menu, but without erasing your save data. Think of it like turning off the TV and turning it back on, only the channel remains the same. You’ll use this method most often when hunting for shiny Pokemon, getting good natures, or when you want to try a battle again.
Hard Reset: A hard reset, on the other hand, is like erasing a whiteboard. It completely wipes your save file from the game. This is the type of reset we will be focusing on because it takes you back to the very beginning of the game, as if you just bought it new. This is the reset you’ll do if you want to start the game completely fresh. This also erases all your progress, like your collected Pokemon, story progression, and items.

Why Reset Your Pokemon Sun Game?

There are many reasons why someone might want to reset their Pokemon Sun game. Here are some of the most common:

Trying a Different Starter: Maybe you chose Litten the first time, but now you’re curious about Popplio or Rowlet. Resetting is the only way to start over and pick a new starter without using a second game or another console.
Reliving the Adventure: The story and charm of Pokemon Sun are awesome! You might simply want to experience the journey through the Alola region again from the start, just for fun.
Shiny Hunting: While not a complete game reset, soft resets are used to hunt for shiny Pokemon at key points in the game. This might be when receiving the starter, or when encountering a legendary. If the Pokemon isn’t shiny, you soft reset the console to try again.
Different Team Composition: Maybe you had a specific team the first time around and now you want to play through the game with an entirely new set of partners. Resetting gives you a clean slate to build your dream team.
Trading Over Pokemon: You can store Pokemon in Pokemon Bank, or Pokemon Home. This makes it possible to move some of your Pokemon over to a new save file before doing a hard reset of Pokemon Sun.
Personal Challenge: Some players might want to make the game more difficult for themselves by doing a Nuzlocke challenge, where they adhere to some specific rules that make the game more challenging.

Performing a Hard Reset

Now for the most important part – how to actually reset your Pokemon Sun game so you can begin your journey fresh. Since this is a hard reset, this will erase all of your existing saved data. Make absolutely sure this is what you want to do, because there is no undo button once it is completed!

Step-by-Step Guide to a Hard Reset

Here is how you can reset Pokemon Sun and erase all your save data:

Power off your 3DS: Make sure your Nintendo 3DS (or 2DS) is completely turned off. Don’t just close the system – make sure the power is fully off.
Press Specific Buttons: While your system is completely turned off, hold down the A button, the B button, the X button, and the Y button all together at the same time. Keep these buttons pressed down.
Power On the 3DS While Holding the Buttons: While holding those four buttons (A, B, X and Y) press the power button to turn your 3DS back on. Continue to hold those buttons even after the console begins to turn on.
Confirm the Reset: Your Nintendo 3DS will show a confirmation screen. It will tell you that all save data will be deleted. This is your last chance to stop if you changed your mind. You will usually be given two options: “Yes” and “No.” You’ll need to confirm that you want to reset your game by choosing “Yes.” You’ll likely need to tap “A” to confirm your selection.
The Game Will Reset: Once you’ve confirmed, the game will start as if it’s brand new. The opening movie and introductory scenes will play, and you’ll be greeted by Professor Kukui once again and your new adventure can begin.

Important Considerations Before Resetting

Before you take the plunge and reset your Pokemon Sun game, consider a few things:

Irreversible Action: Remember, a hard reset is permanent. Once you delete your saved data, there’s no getting it back.
Save Valuable Pokemon: If you have any rare or special Pokemon that you want to keep, make sure to move them to Pokémon Bank, Pokémon Home or another copy of a Pokemon game first. You can’t trade between a current file and a brand new file on the same system. This also applies to held items.
Missable Items: Some items in the game are only available once. If you want to obtain them again after doing a hard reset, be sure to grab them on your current save before resetting.
Event Pokemon: If you have event Pokemon obtained from Mystery Gifts, be aware that if you reset your game these are also reset. It’s possible that you may not be able to obtain these particular Pokemon again. Be sure you have them moved over to Pokemon Bank, Pokemon Home or another game card before resetting.

Soft Resets for Shiny Hunting

While we’re mostly discussing hard resets, it’s worth briefly mentioning soft resets, since many players use them in Pokemon games. A soft reset is not a full reset of your save file. It lets you restart the game from a specific point without actually losing all your saved progress.

How to Perform a Soft Reset

To perform a soft reset, press and hold the L button, R button, and the Start button or Select button all together. The game will restart at the title screen. You can use this for certain situations:

Shiny Hunting Starter: When you’re about to choose your starter Pokemon, you can save right before the choice. If your chosen starter isn’t shiny, soft reset, and try again.
Shiny Legendaries: The same soft reset method can be used when battling a legendary Pokemon. Save before the battle, and if it’s not shiny, soft reset.
Getting the Right Nature: When catching or receiving a Pokemon, if the nature is not what you want, you can use a soft reset to try for a better one.

Tips for a Successful Reset

To ensure that your reset goes smoothly, and that you get the most out of your next playthrough, consider these points:

Plan Your Playthrough: Before you start, maybe consider what Pokemon you want on your team. Do some research to be aware of what Pokemon are available at what time of the game.
Take Notes: If you’re planning a very specific playthrough, take notes on your progress, the Pokemon you’ve caught, and any decisions you’ve made. This will help you stay organized if you intend to reset again later.
Be Patient: Soft resets for shiny Pokemon can take a long time. Be patient and don’t give up! Keep track of how many attempts it takes before you find that shiny Pokemon.
Explore Fully: A new playthrough is a good time to find areas you might have missed the first time. You can find special items or special Pokemon in these areas.
Have Fun: Most of all, have fun! The point of resetting is to enjoy playing the game again. Don’t focus too much on optimizing everything.

Resetting a game can be a big decision, but it’s sometimes a necessary one for players wanting to change something about their experience, or to experience the game from a completely fresh perspective. Whether you’re after a shiny Pokemon, want to try a different starter, or just want to relive the journey in the Alola region again, you have the knowledge to do so successfully now. Take the time to consider your choice, and prepare anything you need to before starting over. Have a great time playing Pokemon Sun!

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Final Thoughts

To reset a Pokémon Sun game, you must press A, B, X, and Y buttons simultaneously on the title screen. This action will erase your current save data, be certain before you proceed.

This process will return the game to its initial state. You can then start a brand new journey. Remember this method if you need to know how to reset a pokemon sun game.