Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – How to restart your game or delete save data

Let's say you want a different gender for your starter Pokémon, or you just smashed right through the game and want to replay it again. There is no direct way to restart your save file in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but you can do it through your Nintendo Switch's System Settings. Here is how to restart or delete saved data in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

How to reset your save data in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

To do a full data reset on Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, start by going to your Nintendo Switch Home Screen. Toggle down and to the right to select System Settings. It's the sun icon that is second to the last. Scroll down to Data Management, then press A to enter that Sub Menu. At the bottom of the Sub Menu you'll need to select Delete Save Data. Select either Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, then select whether you want to delete all save data or just the save data for a particular user. Your system will give you one last warning before you punch the big red button and delete that data for good. After you've done that, open your game, and you should be prompted to restart.

Related: How to access your storage boxes in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Can you make a second save file in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?

Not directly, no. However, you can create a new user profile on your Nintendo Switch to house a new save file. To do this, go into the System Settings from your Nintendo Switch Home Screen, then scroll down and select Users. Toggle down to Add User, then select Create New User. You will then go through the process of selecting an Avatar and Name. You can skip Linking a Nintendo Account for now, or you can go ahead and link one for online play. Either way, you'll be able to start a fresh game from the home screen by selecting this new user account when opening the game. That way, you can start fresh without deleting a prior save file.

Looking for more general help in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? Check out How to catch Pokémon in trees in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and How to Fast Travel in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet here at Pro Game Guides.