How To Start A New Game On Pokemon Sword

To start a new game on Pokémon Sword, first close the game. Then, on the Nintendo Switch home menu, highlight the Pokémon Sword icon, press the “+” button, select ‘Manage Software’ and then ‘Delete Save Data’. Finally, launch the game.

Ready to embark on a fresh adventure in the Galar region? If you are wondering how to start a new game on pokemon sword, you have come to the right place. This guide will quickly show you the steps you need to take.

It’s simple to reset your progress. The process mainly involves accessing your Switch system’s menus. You’ll be catching and battling new Pokémon in no time.

How to Start a New Game on Pokémon Sword

Ready for a fresh adventure in the Galar region? Starting a new game on Pokémon Sword is easy, but there are a few things you should know to get going smoothly. Whether you’re revisiting the game or starting for the very first time, this guide will walk you through every step. Let’s dive in!

Preparing to Begin: Things to Consider Before Starting

Before you jump right into a brand new Pokémon journey, it’s good to think about a few things. This will help you make the most of your experience from the get-go. Let’s check these out.

Saving Your Current Game

First and foremost, if you currently have a game in progress, you need to save it! Pokémon Sword automatically saves from time to time, but to be super safe, do this:

Press the X button to bring up the in-game menu.
Select Save.
Confirm that you want to save, and wait until it tells you that the save is complete.

This will ensure that you can pick up where you left off later if you want to play your old game.

Understanding the Consequences of Starting Over

Keep in mind that starting a new game will erase your current progress. All of your captured Pokémon, items, story progress, everything will be gone. Think carefully before you decide to begin anew. Consider if you have any favorite pokemon that you may not want to lose.

Backup and Nintendo Switch Online

While Pokémon Sword doesn’t have a traditional backup system for save files outside of the console itself, some Nintendo Switch users might have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. This service offers cloud saves for some games, but it does not provide this for Pokémon Sword. This is important to know because you won’t be able to recover a deleted game save by using cloud saves.

Be very sure you want to overwrite your old game save because there isn’t a recovery method.

The Steps to Begin a New Adventure

Now that you’ve prepared, let’s go through how you actually start a new game on Pokémon Sword.

Starting a New Game from the Main Menu

Once you’ve made the decision to start a new adventure, here’s what you need to do:

Close Pokémon Sword: If the game is running, close it completely. You can do this by pressing the Home button, highlighting the game, pressing the plus button, and selecting ‘Close’
Re-launch the Game: Re-open Pokémon Sword from the home screen by selecting the game icon.
The Title Screen: You’ll see the Pokémon Sword title screen with the legendary Pokémon, Zacian, on it.
Press a Button: Simply press any button on your controller. It can be A, B, X, Y, plus, minus, or a stick button.
The Options Menu: You will see a menu that has New Game, Mystery Gift, and Options.
Select New Game: Select the “New Game” option using your controller.

The Professor and the Beginning

After selecting “New Game,” Professor Magnolia will introduce herself, and you’ll learn about the world of Pokémon. You will go through her introduction. Pay attention to the story because it helps explain the setting of the game. This is where your personal Pokémon journey begins.

Choosing Your Character

Next, you’ll get to choose your character. This is your in-game avatar and it allows for some personalization:

Select Your Character: You can choose between a boy or a girl character. Don’t worry; this choice doesn’t affect gameplay, it’s just for your appearance.
Customize your Appearance: You’ll then be able to choose a skin tone and character type. Keep in mind that this is your main appearance for most of the game.
Enter your Character’s Name: After you have selected the character type, you will need to name your character. You will see a keyboard so you can enter your name. Once you have typed in your name, confirm it by pressing the plus button.

The Initial Story Setup

After you finalize your character’s appearance and name, you will be moved to your home and introduced to your best friend, Hop. The story will begin, explaining why you will go on this big Pokemon adventure. This is when you start on the journey to become champion.

Choosing Your Starter Pokémon

One of the most exciting parts of starting a new Pokémon adventure is picking your first Pokémon partner! In Pokémon Sword, you’ll get to choose between three great options:

Grookey: A Grass-type chimp Pokémon. Grookey is energetic and loves to have fun.
Scorbunny: A Fire-type rabbit Pokémon. Scorbunny is quick and agile, with lots of power.
Sobble: A Water-type lizard Pokémon. Sobble is timid, but very powerful.

The Important Starter Choice

Your choice of starter Pokémon does influence your journey. Different Pokémon have advantages and disadvantages against other types. Here’s a quick guide:

Grass types like Grookey are good against Water, Ground, and Rock types but weaker against Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, and Ice types.
Fire types like Scorbunny are good against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel types but weaker against Water, Ground, and Rock types.
Water types like Sobble are good against Fire, Ground, and Rock types but weaker against Grass and Electric types.

Pick the one you think looks the coolest or you feel would be best for your style of play. All the starter Pokémon are capable of going far in the game, so you don’t have to worry too much about picking the “right one.” Pick what you like!

The Beginning of your Journey

After selecting your starter Pokémon, you will get into your very first Pokémon battle, against Hop. This will be an introductory fight. After defeating Hop you will have your own Pokémon and will be on your way to becoming the very best!

Important First Steps After Choosing Your Starter

After selecting your first pokemon and starting your adventure, there are some key things to do to make the game more enjoyable.

Learning the Basics

Take the time to explore the first few areas and get used to the controls and game mechanics.

Talk to People: In the game, many characters give you helpful items or information. Don’t pass them up.
Explore the First Areas: Check every nook and cranny. You can often find items or even hidden pokemon in unusual spots.
Practice Pokemon Battles: Engage with the trainers you see and learn how battles work. Remember, you can use type matchups to your advantage!

First Routes and Catching Pokémon

After your first battles, the routes will start to open up and you can catch some of your own Pokémon. Here’s how:

Walk Through the Tall Grass: This is where wild Pokémon appear in the game. You will see a small exclamation mark (!) pop up when they are ready to battle.
Engage in Battles: When you encounter a wild Pokémon, a battle will begin. You can use your Pokémon’s attacks to weaken them, but you do not want to defeat them.
Catch Pokémon: Once the wild Pokémon is weak enough, throw a Poké Ball at it. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch it! If you do, you have a brand new team member.

Checking Your Trainer Menu

To access your menu, press the X button. Here, you can see everything you have.

Pokémon: Here, you can see all of the Pokémon you have captured. You can check their stats, teach them new moves, and organize them.
Bag: In your bag, you can see all the items you have collected. This includes pokeballs, potions, and other valuable items you find on your journey.
Trainer Card: The trainer card shows your progress in the game. It shows the badges you have earned and the Pokémon you have caught. You can view other players’ trainer cards if you battle them online.
Options: Adjust the game to your liking by changing things like text speed or battle animation styles.

Tips for a Great Start

To get the most enjoyment out of your new game, you can try out some helpful tips.

Explore Everything

The Galar region is full of hidden things. Check every path, house, and corner. You never know what you might find!

Talk to NPCs

People in the game can give you useful information, items, and quests. Talking to them is important to learn about the story and get better resources.

Catch a Variety of Pokémon

Do not just catch the first Pokémon you see. Try to catch a variety of different types to build a great team. Having different types of Pokémon in your party will help you become stronger in battle.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

There’s no “right” way to play Pokémon. Try out different teams, strategies, and game styles. See what works best for you. The most important thing is to have fun!

Continuing the Story

With your new Pokémon and knowledge of the game, you’re ready to continue through the story. As you explore the world, you will see that you have many battles to win and Pokémon to catch. Here are some things you’ll want to do:

Earn Gym Badges: Challenge the gym leaders around the Galar region to earn your gym badges. This will allow you to go to the next step in the story.
Meet New Characters: You will meet many interesting characters along the way. Try to remember who they are and their place in the game, they can provide important information.
Become the Champion: The ultimate goal is to be the best trainer in Galar. Keep training and battling so that you can reach the top!

As you progress through the game, you’ll find that each new area has different Pokémon, people, and events. Enjoy all that Galar has to offer and have a fun adventure!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things might not go perfectly when you start a new game. Here are some common issues and how to solve them:

Game Won’t Start

If your game isn’t launching, do the following:

Make Sure the Game is Up to Date: Check to see if your game has any updates. If so, install them.
Restart Your Nintendo Switch: Turning off your system and turning it back on may help fix the issue.
Check the Cartridge or Download: If you have a physical copy, make sure the game cartridge is inserted correctly. If you have the digital version, make sure it is downloaded and updated.

Save Data Problems

If you are having problems with your save data, you should try:

Save Regularly: Save your game frequently. This way, if something goes wrong, you will not lose a lot of progress.
Make Sure There is Enough Storage: Check to make sure that your switch has enough memory. If you are running out of memory, this can cause the game not to save properly.
Do Not Turn off During Save: Do not turn off your system or the game while it is saving. Doing this can cause the file to corrupt and lose your save progress.

Other Issues

If you encounter other issues that aren’t described above, you should try the following:

Check Online Help: Many helpful guides and forums exist where people discuss Pokémon games. Try to find the specific issue you are having and see if there is an answer online.
Contact Nintendo Support: If you continue to have issues, reach out to Nintendo support. They can provide further assistance.

Starting a new game on Pokémon Sword is the first step to another wonderful journey in the Pokémon world. Remember to save your old game, choose your character, select a starter, and most importantly, have fun! With your new adventure ahead of you, there are many more battles and Pokémon to experience! Enjoy your time in the Galar region!

How to DELETE SAVE FILE to start a new game in Pokemon Sword and Shield Scarlet & Violet

Final Thoughts

To begin a new adventure, completely close the Pokémon Sword game. Then, on your Nintendo Switch home screen, select the game icon again. This will launch the game and provide a “New Game” option on the title screen.

Selecting “New Game” begins your journey from the start. You must know this is the clear way of how to start a new game on pokemon sword. Remember to save your progress often. This method ensures a fresh experience.