Restarting Pokémon Sun and Moon allows players to embark on a brand new adventure in the Alola region. Whether you’re tackling the game for the second time, making way for a different set of starters, or seeking a different gameplay experience, the process is straightforward. In these games, your progress is saved in a single file, and starting anew requires deleting this existing file.
We understand that the decision to restart your game can be hard, especially when considering the time invested in training and collecting Pokémon. However, deleting your save file gives you a clean slate. The process to restart is designed to be a deliberate action to prevent accidental loss of progress. It involves a specific button combination at the title screen of the game to access the reset option.
Contents
Understanding the Basics
In the world of Pokemon Sun and Moon on the Nintendo 3DS, managing your save file is crucial. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the Alola region, understanding how saves work and how to restart your game are essential pieces of knowledge.
The Role of the Save File
Your save file is where all your game progress is stored. This includes your team of Pokémon, your inventory items, and your achievements in the Alola region. On the 3DS, the save file is stored directly on the game cartridge or the system’s memory if you’ve downloaded the game. There is one active save file per game, and it’s the snapshot of your latest progress. Protecting and knowing how to properly handle this data is key to your gaming experience.
Concepts of Restarting a Game
To restart your adventure in Pokemon Sun or Moon means to erase your current save file and start a brand-new game. It’s a fresh start. This process cannot be reversed, and your previous progress will be permanently deleted.
| 3DS Button | Action | Result |
| X + B + Up (on the D-pad) | Press Simultaneously on Menu | Prompt to Delete Save File |
It is important to ensure you truly want to delete your save before restarting, as all recorded data—traded Pokémon, battled trainers, and collected items—will be erased.
Steps to Restart Your Game
When you decide to clear your Pokémon Sun or Moon game data, be sure to understand the difference between a soft reset and a hard reset. Each serves a distinct purpose depending on what you wish to accomplish.
Soft Reset Options
Performing a Soft Reset
A soft reset allows us to restart the game without erasing our saved data. It’s useful for re-encountering Pokémon or retrying battles.
- For a soft reset, simply press L+R and either Start or Select.
Hard Reset Procedures
Executing a Hard Reset
A hard reset will completely erase your game data.
- Start from the title screen.
- Simultaneously press X, B, and Up on the d-pad.
- Confirm the prompt to delete your saved game.
Starting A New Game
Beginning Anew
Once the hard reset is confirmed, the old data is permanently erased.
- After the reset, choose New Game from the menu screen to begin your fresh adventure.
Precautions and Tips Before Restarting
Before embarking on a fresh journey in Pokémon Sun or Moon, it’s crucial to take certain steps to preserve your achievements and consider the implications of restarting.
Backing Up Your Save Data
Use Pokémon Bank: If you have Pokémons you’re particularly fond of, we should deposit them into the Pokémon Bank before restarting. This service allows us to save our Pokémon collection in the cloud and retrieve them with our new game.
Considering Your Current Pokemon Collection
We must also think about our current collection of Pokémon. Before resetting, we might want to:
- Trade valuable or rare Pokémon to friends.
- Consider which Pokémon we want to transfer to the new game, keeping in mind certain Pokémon may not be available early in the new game.
Decisions Regarding Starter Pokemon
Initiating a new game means selecting a new starter Pokémon. Our previous choice between Litten, Rowlet, or Popplio had its own gameplay dynamics and challenges, so should we switch it up this time? Here’s what to consider:
- Combat Style: Each starter has unique battle strengths. We should choose a new starter Pokémon that suits a different playstyle to keep the game fresh.
- Team Composition: Ponder how the new starter will interact with the Pokémon we transfer from our old game. Striking the right balance is key for our upcoming adventure.
After the Restart
Embarking on a new adventure in Pokémon Sun and Moon allows us to explore the rich and diverse Alola Region with a fresh perspective. We get to craft an entirely new experience, from building our team to discovering every nook of the islands.
Building Your New Team
Choosing our new companions is thrilling. We might aim for shiny Pokémon this time, or perhaps focus on assembling a squad of legendary Pokémon. The key is variety and complementing abilities, ensuring our team can handle any challenge Alola throws at us.
Prioritizing Pokémon that can swiftly adapt to different opponents ensures a stronger team. Here are some tips for a balanced team composition:
| Type Coverage | Role Diversity |
| Include Pokémon types that can counter a wide range of other types. | Have a mix of attackers, defenders, and support Pokémon. |
| Bear in mind the weaknesses each type has and plan counters. | Ensure some Pokémon excel at special attacks while others are physical powerhouses. |
| Plan for the endgame; not all Pokémon are as effective later on. | Consider Pokémon with healing abilities for long-term sustainability. |
Exploring the Alola Region Again
Re-exploring Alola is an opportunity to uncover secrets we might have missed before or to accomplish goals like completing the Pokédex. Every island has unique Pokémon and features waiting to be discovered anew.
Remember to interact with every character and investigate each environment closely. Many of them have hidden items or offer small but useful tips for our journey. It’s these details that make our adventure richer and more complete.
We might strategize differently now, knowing more about the game mechanics and the region. It’s also exhilarating to challenge ourselves with different constraints, like using only a certain type of Pokémon or limiting our use of items. These self-imposed rules can make a second playthrough feel new and engaging.