Embarking on a new Pokémon journey is an exciting prospect, but what happens when you want to start over? Perhaps you’re feeling nostalgic and want to relive the beginning, or maybe you’ve made a crucial mistake and want to undo it. Whatever the reason, restarting a Pokémon game on your Switch is a straightforward process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the options available, ensuring you can get back to catching ’em all with a clean slate.
Understanding the Different Types of Resets
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand the various types of resets you can perform on your Pokémon game.
- Soft Reset: A soft reset is the simplest form of reset. It closes the current game and takes you back to the main menu, allowing you to continue from the last save point. This is ideal for minor adjustments or undoing a recent mistake.
- Hard Reset: A hard reset completely erases all your save data, effectively starting the game from scratch. This is for when you want a truly fresh start or need to troubleshoot game issues.
Method 1: The Soft Reset (For Minor Adjustments)
The soft reset method is a quick and easy way to undo recent actions or simply start a new encounter. Here’s how to perform a soft reset:
- Press and hold the “+” button on your Joy-Con controller. This will bring up the game’s pause menu.
- Select “Save & Exit” or “Exit” from the pause menu. This will save your game progress and return you to the Switch’s Home screen.
- Relaunch your Pokémon game. You’ll now be back at your last save point, ready to continue from where you left off.
Method 2: The Hard Reset (For a Fresh Start)
For a completely new beginning, a hard reset is necessary. This will wipe your save data, erasing all your progress, Pokémon, and items. Here’s how to perform a hard reset:
- Navigate to the game icon on your Switch’s Home screen.
- Press the “+” button on your Joy-Con controller. This will bring up the game’s options menu.
- Select “Delete Save Data.” This will prompt you to confirm that you want to erase all game progress.
- Confirm the deletion. Once confirmed, all your save data will be permanently deleted, and you can start a new game from the beginning.
Tips for Restarting Your Pokemon Journey
Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind when restarting a Pokémon game:
- Back up your save data. Before performing a hard reset, consider backing up your save data to a microSD card. This way, you can always restore your progress if you change your mind.
- Don’t worry about losing your Pokémon. When you start a new game, you’re not truly losing your Pokémon. You can always transfer them to a new game using the Pokémon Bank service or through certain Pokémon games.
- Take your time and enjoy the experience. Starting over allows you to experience the game afresh. Embrace the journey and explore new strategies or try out different Pokémon teams.
The Power of a New Beginning
Restarting a Pokémon game can be a liberating experience. It’s a chance to revisit your favorite moments with a fresh perspective, explore different playstyles, or simply enjoy the thrill of starting a new adventure. Whether you’re choosing a soft reset for minor adjustments or a hard reset for a completely fresh start, the power of a new beginning is always within your grasp. Now go out there, grab your Poké Balls, and get ready to catch ’em all!
FAQ
Q1: Why would I want to restart my Pokemon game on Switch?
There are several reasons why you might want to restart your Pokemon game. Maybe you made a mistake early on and want to try a different strategy. Perhaps you’re bored with your current save file and want a fresh start. Or, you might simply want to experience the game again from the beginning. No matter your reason, restarting your game is a simple process that allows you to start your Pokemon journey anew.
Q2: Can I delete my save data and start over?
Yes, you can delete your save data and start over. This will completely erase your progress, including your Pokemon team, items, and any other data saved in the game. However, deleting your save data is irreversible, so make sure you’re absolutely sure you want to do this before proceeding.
Q3: How do I delete my save data?
Deleting your save data is a simple process. First, go to the home screen of your Switch and select the Pokemon game you want to delete the save data from. Then, press the plus button on your Switch Joy-Con to bring up the game’s settings menu. Select the “Data Management” option, and then choose the “Delete Save Data” option. Confirm your selection, and your save data will be deleted.
Q4: Can I transfer my Pokemon to a new save file?
No, you can’t directly transfer your Pokemon to a new save file. However, you can use the Pokemon Bank service to transfer your Pokemon to a new game. Pokemon Bank is a paid online service that allows you to store and manage your Pokemon in the cloud. To transfer Pokemon to a new save file, you’ll need to deposit your Pokemon in Pokemon Bank, then withdraw them to the new game.
Q5: Can I create a backup of my save data?
Yes, you can create a backup of your save data. This will allow you to restore your game to its previous state if you accidentally delete your save data or if your game becomes corrupted. To create a backup, simply follow the same steps as deleting your save data, but instead of selecting “Delete Save Data,” select “Save Data Cloud Backup.”
Q6: Will restarting my game erase my online progress?
No, restarting your game will not erase your online progress. Your online achievements, such as your Trainer Card and your online battle records, will remain intact. However, restarting your game will reset your local save data, so you’ll lose all of your progress in the game, such as your Pokemon team, items, and any other data saved in the game.
Q7: What if I accidentally delete my save data?
If you accidentally delete your save data, you can try to restore it from a backup. If you have a cloud backup, you can restore your save data from the cloud. If you don’t have a cloud backup, you can try to restore your save data from a local backup. However, if you don’t have a backup, you won’t be able to restore your save data.