How To Start A New Game In Sun And Moon

How to Start a New Game in Sun and Moon

So, you’re ready to dive into the beautiful Alola region in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon! That’s awesome! Starting a new adventure can be super exciting, but it’s good to know what to expect. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to get your game going, from the very first screen to choosing your starter Pokémon. We’ll cover all the important bits, like setting up your profile and getting the adventure underway. Let’s get started!

Initial Game Setup

The first time you turn on your Nintendo 3DS with Pokémon Sun or Moon inserted, you’ll see a special title screen. This is where the magic begins! Here’s what you should expect:

• The Title Screen: You’ll see the game logo with either the sun or moon as the background. It’s pretty cool to see which game you have!
• Press Start: Just like many other games, you need to press the start button on your 3DS to get going. Usually, it’s one of the smaller buttons in the center of the console.
• Choose Your Language: The game will then ask you to pick your preferred language. Select the one you understand best!

Starting a New Save File

If you have never played Pokémon Sun or Moon on your 3DS before, you’ll be prompted to create a new save file. If you’ve played before, don’t worry – we’ll get to that later. Here’s how to handle a brand new game:

• New Game Option: You’ll see a “New Game” option appear on the screen. Use the circle pad or the directional buttons to select it.
• Confirming Your Choice: Select the “New Game” option by pressing the A button on your 3DS, it’s the big button in the right side. The game will double-check that you want to start from the beginning. Make sure to press “Yes” if you’re ready to go!

Understanding Save Data

In Pokemon Sun and Moon, as in most games, your progress is saved as a save file. Your save file stores all your game data like, how far you are in game, what pokemons you have and items. Usually you don’t need to worry about this, as your 3DS handles it. But its useful to know some basic info about it. Each game cartridge of Sun or Moon has only one save file. If you are starting new, and someone already played on that game, all old data will be replaced. So, if you wish to continue your old save file, make sure you don’t select “new game” as mentioned in the above section. We will also explain how to play your previous game in upcoming sections.

Setting Up Your Trainer Profile

Next up, you get to create your own character in the game! This is where you can add your personal touch to the adventure. Here’s what you’ll be doing:

Choosing Your Trainer’s Appearance

Even though the appearance options are more limited in Pokemon Sun and Moon compared to later games, you still get some choices. You’ll see:

• Trainer’s Gender: You get to pick if your trainer is a boy or a girl. This doesn’t affect the gameplay other than appearance.
• Trainer’s Skin Tone: You can choose between a few different skin tone options to best represent your character.
• Trainer’s Hairstyle: You can select between few different pre-selected hairstyles for your character.

Take your time choosing, as you’ll be seeing this character for the whole adventure. You won’t be able to change these selections later in the game, so try to pick something that you like.

Entering Your Trainer’s Name

After you’ve designed your trainer, you’ll get to give them a name! It’s your chance to put your own identity into the game. Here’s how:

• Name Input Screen: A keyboard will pop up on the lower screen of your 3DS.
• Typing Your Name: Use the stylus to tap the letters and spell out the name you want for your character. You can use numbers and symbols too.
• Confirming Your Name: Once you’re done, tap the “OK” button to confirm the name. Make sure it’s correct before moving forward!

Pro Tip: Choose a name that you like, but make sure its easy to remember. And if you wish you can change your name next time, when you restart a new game.

The Story Begins

Once you’ve set up your profile, the story of Pokémon Sun and Moon starts. You’ll be introduced to the world of Alola and the characters you’ll meet along your journey. Here’s what to expect in the opening scenes:

Meeting Professor Kukui

Your story begins with a meeting with Professor Kukui. He’s the main Pokémon professor in the Alola region. He will introduce you to the world of Pokemon and his research. He will be key part of your adventure and helps you throughout your journey.

Choosing Your Starter Pokémon

One of the most exciting parts of starting a new Pokémon game is picking your starter Pokémon! Professor Kukui will present you with three choices:

• Rowlet: A Grass and Flying-type Pokémon, it’s like a cute little owl.
• Litten: A Fire-type Pokémon that is a black cat with red stripes.
• Popplio: A Water-type Pokémon, its a cute seal like creature.

Each starter has its own advantages, and this is an important choice that will impact your game experience. There are no right or wrong choices. Just pick the one that appeals the most to you. Here’s a table to help you decide:

Don’t worry too much about the strengths and weaknesses. As you continue your journey, you will get many new pokemons to cover up any weaknesses.

Naming Your Starter Pokémon

After choosing your starter, you have the option to give it a nickname. If you decide not to, it will use its default name. Naming your pokemon can be really fun and it gives them a more personal touch!

• Nickname Input: A screen will pop up to let you enter the name you want.
• Confirming the Name: Press “OK” to save your choice.
• Choosing Default Name: If you don’t want to give it a nickname, you can simply press “No” or “OK” without typing any name.

Navigating the Game World

After the initial setup and choosing your starter Pokémon, you’re ready to start exploring Alola. You will start your adventure from your home in a small town. As you get introduced to the game, you will learn about various things like, how to move your character, the different locations in the game, and interacting with people.

Basic Movement

Movement in Pokemon Sun and Moon is done using the circle pad on your 3DS. Use the circle pad to walk around and explore the world. You can also use directional buttons for movement. Try moving your character around in your home to get familiar with it.

Interacting with Characters

In Pokemon Sun and Moon, you will encounter many different people to interact with. You can talk to them to progress in the story and learn new information. Here’s how you do it:

• Approach the Character: Move your character close to the person you want to talk with.
• Press the A Button: When you are close enough, a text bubble will appear above the person’s head. Press the A button to talk to them.
• Reading the Conversation: Read the text to see what the person has to say. Some conversations are just small talk, while others will give you important clues or missions.

Using Your Bag

Your bag holds all the items you collect in your adventure. You can use your bag to heal your pokemon, give them special items, and store other useful things. Here is how you open your bag:

• Open the Main Menu: Press the X button on your 3DS to open the main menu.
• Select “Bag”: Use the circle pad or the directional buttons to choose the “Bag” option.
• Browse Items: You can now see all the items you have. Use the circle pad to browse through them.
• Using an item: When you want to use an item, select it and choose ‘use’ option. You will see more options about items you choose.

Continuing an Existing Game

If you have already started playing Pokemon Sun or Moon and you want to resume playing, it’s very simple. Here’s how to continue an existing game.

• Turn on Your 3DS: Make sure your 3DS is charged and you have the game card inserted.
• Start the Game: From the 3DS home screen, select the game icon and press A.
• Load Save File: Instead of choosing “New Game,” the game will automatically load your last saved file. You will be taken right to where you left off in your adventure.

Importance of Saving Frequently

Saving your game is important to make sure you don’t lose any progress. If you turn off your 3DS without saving, you’ll start from your last saved point. Here’s how you can save your progress:

• Open the Main Menu: Press the X button on your 3DS.
• Select “Save”: Use the circle pad or directional buttons to choose “Save.”
• Saving Progress: The game will save your current location and progress.

Pro Tip: Save the game whenever you reach a new location or do something important. Its always better to save frequently so that you don’t lose any progress if something goes wrong.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned when starting a new game. Here are a couple of common issues and how to fix them:

Game Not Starting

If your game isn’t starting, check these things:

• Check Game Card: Make sure the game card is properly inserted into your 3DS. Remove and re-insert it.
• Clean the Card: Sometimes the metal part of the card might be dirty. Try carefully wiping the metal contacts with a soft, dry cloth.
• Restart 3DS: Try turning your 3DS off and on again. This will fix many issues.

Data Issues

If you are facing any issue regarding the game data, consider these steps:

• Corrupted Data: If your game says that the save data is corrupt, it may be lost. You will have to start a new game in this case. Unfortunately, there isn’t any way to fix this.
• Accidental Erasing: If you mistakenly chose “New Game” when you have previously saved game, you will have to restart the game from the start again. This will delete all the previous save data.

If you keep having problems, you might need to ask for help from a grown-up who understands the 3DS better.