Pokémon Sword and Shield, how to delete your game and start over?

Pokémon Sword and Shield don't include a standard “reset” button in their menu. To start from scratch and clear your save data, you'll need to delete the data—either from the title screen or through your Nintendo Switch settings. We'll walk you through it!

How to reset your Pokémon Sword and Shield game on Switch?

A word of caution before you get started: Deleting a save file is permanent! You'll lose all the Pokémon you've caught, your badges, and all your progress in the region of Galar. Game save data is stored in the console's memory, and once it is deleted, it cannot be recovered.

Method 1: Delete the save file from the title screen

The fastest way is to do it directly in the game, on the’title screen (the one that says “Press any key”).

• Hold all at once Haut + B + X.
• A message will then appear asking if you want to delete the backup data.
• Select “Yes” to reset everything and start a new game.

Method 2: Delete backup data through the console settings

You can also go through the console settings without launching the game, whether on Nintendo Switch Where Nintendo Switch 2. From the HOME menu, follow these steps:

1. Open the’settings icon (the gear) on your Switch.
2. Scroll down to “Data management”.
3. Select “Backup Data Management”.
4. Choose Pokémon Épée Where Pokémon Bouclier in the list.
5. Select the’user the relevant (profile), then click on “Delete Backup Data”.

If multiple profiles are used on the same console, each Nintendo account has its own save file. You can delete just one part or choose to’delete all data the software all at once.

Be sure to double-check the selected user before confirming to avoid any errors.

What happens after you delete the game?

Once the data has been deleted, just restart the game. It will automatically start from the very beginning, with the option to choose your character and begin the adventure. Pokémon.

Good to know: Pokémon Épée et Bouclier run only on nintendo-switch. If you want play Pokémon on PC or restart a game Pokémon on 3DS, the procedure is different, and we'll explain it in detail below.

How do I restart a Pokémon game on 3DS?

On Nintendo 3DS, to delete backup data, you must go through the console settings. Here are the steps:

• From the main menu, go to the Console Settings, then select To start up.
• Press Data management.
• Select Nintendo 3DS.
• Choose Software to select a game or app. You can also open Additional Information to manage the associated backup data.
• Select the game whose data you want to delete, then tap Wipe off.
• Select “Delete the software and its backup data” Where “Archive the backup data and uninstall the software”.
• If you choose to archive, you can save the data to an existing folder or create a new one.
• To confirm, press one last time Wipe off.

How do you start over in Pokémon X and Y?

You don't need to go through the console settings here. In Pokémon X and Y, the backup is deleted directly from the’title screen. Here's how:

1. Start the game by turning on your Nintendo 3DS.
2. On the title screen, press the following buttons at the same time: Up + B + X.
3. A confirmation message appears to warn you that you are about to delete your backup data.
4. Select Yes to validate.

Once the save file is deleted, the game starts over from the beginning. You can then create a new profile and continue your adventure. Pokémon from the very beginning. Now it's your turn!