To start over your Pokémon Violet game, you must delete your save data from the console’s system settings. This action will erase your current progress and allow you to begin a new adventure.
Feeling the urge for a fresh Paldea journey? Maybe you want to try a different starter, or replay with a new team. The thought of completely starting over can be exciting. This guide will show you exactly how to start over your pokemon and violet game, providing simple instructions for a clean slate. Prepare to explore the region anew!
How to Start Over Your Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Game
Okay, so you’ve been adventuring in the Paldea region, catching Pokémon, battling trainers, and maybe even completing the story in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. But maybe you’re feeling like you want a fresh start. Perhaps you want to try a different starter Pokémon, experience the game with a new team, or just feel the thrill of starting from the very beginning again. That’s totally understandable! Starting over can be a fun way to replay the game. But how do you actually do it? It’s not always obvious, and that’s what we are here to explain! Let’s explore the different ways to wipe your save data and begin your journey anew.
Understanding Save Data in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Before we dive into how to start over, it’s important to understand how Pokémon Scarlet and Violet save your progress. Unlike older games, where you might have had multiple save slots, these games use a single save file per Nintendo Switch profile. This means that every time you save, your current progress overwrites your old progress on that profile. There’s no in-game option to revert to an earlier save, or easily reset to the very beginning. This limitation can make starting over a bit tricky, but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the steps.
The Main Method: Deleting Save Data from the Nintendo Switch
The primary method to start over is by deleting your save data from your Nintendo Switch system settings. This process completely removes all your game progress for Pokémon Scarlet or Violet and allows you to begin as if you just popped the game cartridge into the console for the first time or downloaded the game. Here’s how it works, step by step:
Step 1: Close the Game
First, make sure your Pokémon Scarlet or Violet game is completely closed. If you have it running, press the Home button on your Switch controller to return to the main menu, and then highlight the game icon and press the X button to close the software. This is an important step, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Access System Settings
Now, go to the Switch’s main menu and locate the “System Settings” icon (it looks like a gear). Click on it to access the system settings menu. You’ll be using the menu here to delete the save file.
Step 3: Navigate to Data Management
Scroll down the System Settings menu until you find “Data Management.” It’s usually in the middle of the settings. Click it to open the Data Management screen. This is where you’ll manage the save files.
Step 4: Select Save Data
Within Data Management, select “Save Data.” Now, you should see a list of all games for which you have save data. Find Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet, depending on which game you are wanting to restart.
Step 5: Choose to Delete Save Data
After selecting your game, you will see an option for “Delete Save Data.” This is the option you need to use to wipe your game’s progress. Click this option. The system will ask you to confirm this choice, which is a normal security step.
Step 6: Confirm and Delete
A warning will appear telling you this action can’t be undone. Please note that this means you will lose all of your previous game progress if you confirm this deletion, so please only do this if you are sure that you want to start again. If you’re ready to start over, select “Delete Save Data” again to permanently remove it from the Nintendo Switch.
Step 7: Start the Game
Once you delete the save data, you can go back to the Switch’s main menu and restart your copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. The game will start as if you are playing it for the first time. You’ll go through the initial setup process, and you’ll get to pick your starter Pokémon once again!
Consequences of Deleting Your Save Data
It is very important to know the impact of deleting your save data, as there is no way to recover it. When you delete save data for Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, it’s a fresh reset for everything. Here’s a list of what you lose:
- Your entire Pokémon team and Pokémon in your boxes will be gone.
- All progress in the story, including Gym Badges, Titan Pokémon, and any other missions you’ve completed, will be reset.
- All your character customizations will be reset, meaning you will have to remake your avatar.
- Any items you have, such as Potions, Poké Balls, and even valuable items, will be lost.
- All information in your Pokédex will be reset.
- Any progress towards completing the Tera Raid Battles.
- Any linked Mystery Gift items or event progress you obtained from in-game distributions.
- All progress with other players, including trades and battle records
Keep in mind that once your save data is gone, it’s gone for good. This makes this method a drastic way to restart, so consider other options if you are looking for an option to start again that does not have such a huge impact.
Alternative Method: Creating a New User Profile
If you don’t want to completely wipe your old save file, there is another method you can use to experience the game from the beginning: by using a new user profile on your Nintendo Switch. Using this method, you can start a brand new game, and keep your old save data. Here’s how:
Step 1: Create a New User Profile
Go to the System Settings menu, and then go to User. Select “Add User” to create a new user profile on your Nintendo Switch. You can select an icon, nickname, and other profile settings. This will be a user that you will start a new game on.
Step 2: Start the Game on the New Profile
After creating your new user profile, return to the Switch’s main menu and select the Pokémon Scarlet or Violet icon. When you are given the option of which user to start the game under, select the new profile you made. This will now start the game using the new profile, so you can go through the opening and pick your starter Pokemon again.
Step 3: Play a New Game
You will now be able to start a new game of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, and you can play through the game completely separate from your first play through. This method allows you to keep your old game, while also having another copy you can play on!
Benefits of Using a New Profile
This method of restarting a game is helpful as it can give you another chance to play without losing anything, and it has several major advantages:
- Keep Your Old Save Data: You can return to your old save data at any time by starting the game on your old profile.
- Second Playthrough: You can start a fresh game with new Pokémon, and new ways to play the game.
- Experiment Without Risk: You can use this new playthrough to try out different strategies, team combinations, or Pokémon that you haven’t used before.
- Multiple Players on One Switch: If multiple people want to play the game on a single Nintendo Switch, this is a way to allow that without overwriting each other’s game progress.
Limitations of Using a New Profile
While this method is very helpful, it has some limitations you need to be aware of:
- Limited Profiles: There is a limit to how many user profiles you can create on a Nintendo Switch.
- Extra Storage Used: Each new profile means more save data, so make sure you have enough storage.
- Transfer Limitations: You can’t move Pokémon, items, or anything between save data on different user profiles on the same console. They are completely separate games.
When To Start Over
There can be many reasons why you might want to start over. Here are a few of the most common reasons:
Choosing the Wrong Starter
Maybe you picked a starter Pokémon that you don’t really like, and you want to start over and pick a different starter. This is a common reason why many people decide to reset their games early on. It can be a good reason if you really don’t like the Pokemon you chose!
Wanting a Different Experience
Maybe you’ve completed the game and you want to try different team combinations or make different choices. You might even want to do a challenge run. Starting over can give you another opportunity to experience everything that the game has to offer. This can be beneficial if you haven’t completed everything that the game has to offer. You can get a whole new experience out of a second play through.
Accidental Overwrites
Maybe you accidentally saved over your good save data, and you need to restart. This is something that can unfortunately happen, but restarting is often the only way to fix this.
Starting a New Game With Others
Maybe you and a friend are playing the game together for the first time, and you want to start your adventure at the same time and at the same starting point. This can be a fun reason to start over, and can help you feel like you’re playing with others more.
Challenging Yourself
Maybe you want to try a new challenge run, like only using specific types of Pokémon, a Nuzlocke challenge, or try to complete the game as fast as you can. Starting over gives you a clean slate for different types of challenges. These are fun ways to play the game when you’re bored.
Tips for a Smooth Start Over
Starting over can be exciting, but it’s helpful to keep these tips in mind:
Plan Your Team
Before starting over, consider which Pokémon you want to use. This can help give you a fun goal for when you’re going through the game. It can help keep you excited to play, and keep you motivated. You can start a game with a clear plan, rather than a blank one.
Consider a Second Profile First
Before deleting your save data, consider creating a second profile. This allows you to keep your old data, while also starting a new game, without having to lose anything. This can be a great option if you don’t want to take that big of a risk of losing everything.
Remember to Trade Over Rare Items
If you are deleting your save data and have rare items in your game, it might be a good idea to try to trade them over to a friend, and have them trade the items back to you once you start your new save. This can make the process a lot more smooth.
Enjoy the Journey
Don’t rush through the game. Take the time to explore, catch all types of Pokémon, and enjoy all that the Paldea region has to offer. Restarting is a good opportunity to re experience a game, in a new way. Keep this in mind, and remember to be patient.
Starting over in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can be a fun and refreshing experience, whether you’re wiping your save data or starting a new user profile. By following these steps, you can easily reset your game and begin a new adventure. Take the time to plan your team, enjoy the journey, and make the most of your new play through.
Pokemon How To Delete Save Scarlet and Violet
Final Thoughts
To start over, you must delete your save data through the console’s system settings. This action will completely erase your current progress. You’ll then begin a fresh game when you launch Pokémon Violet.
This process is the only way to completely wipe your adventure. Remember to back up any data, if needed. This way, you know how to start over your pokemon and violet game.
