Need a new start in Kalos? Maybe you’re returning after all these years. Maybe you need a new starter, a Nuzlocke, or even a new name. Whatever your reason, to have how to delete save file Pokemon X properly is necessary. Do it wrongly, and you could find yourself losing Pokémon that you don’t want to say goodbye to. Do it right, and you begin a fresh journey with confidence.
In this course, I’ll show you exactly how to delete save file Pokemon X off a Nintendo 3DS (download or cartridge), how to protect what you cherish beforehand, and how to fix common issues if the combination won’t work.
Quick Take: The Fastest Way to Reset Pokémon X
- On the title screen, press Up (D-Pad) + B + X at the same time.
- Choose Yes to continue. Then choose Yes again.
- Ta-da. Your Pokémon X save data is gone. You can start over.
If you only want to reload (but not erase) the game, do a soft reset: press L + R + Start. That doesn’t wipe your save.
Before You Delete: Keep What Matters
Erasing a save is permanent. No undo. So think. Think:
What do I need to keep?
Before using how to delete save file Pokemon X, you must move irreplaceable Pokémon in advance.
Move Pokémon to Safety (Trade, Bank, or HOME)
- Trade to another friend or game that you have before cleaning.
- If access remains available, use Pokémon Bank (later Pokémon HOME) to long-term bank Pokémon. Your in-game save can be lost without sacrificing them once they’re in a cloud box.
- Do not leave shinies, legendaries, event Pokémon, or breedjects that you enjoy behind. Save them first.
Document Your Memories
- Photograph with a picture Trainer ID, Friend Safari, shiny counts, ribbons, and your Hall of Fame.
- Write down your team builds or movesets you might want to recreate on your new playthrough.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete Save File Pokemon X (3DS Title Screen Method)
The official, original method on both the cartridge version and the digital download. This is the kernel of how to delete save file Pokemon X safely.
Start and Wait at the Title Screen
Power on your Nintendo 3DS/2DS and start up Pokémon X. Let the title animation finish (you will see the “Press Start” message).
Press the Reset Combo
Press Up on the D-Pad, followed by pressing B and X simultaneously at the same time. Press them for a second.
Confirm Twice
A window comes up that will erase all stored data. Select Yes. It will prompt you again. Select Yes again.
Start Anew
You will return to the title screen. Press Start and begin a new game. Whoo-hoo—this is how to erase save file Pokemon X without needing to go into another program or menu.
Why Gamers Reset Pokémon X (And Why This Is Okay)
Now and then you must do it again. Maybe you wish for another start. Or you’re trying to Nuzlocke. Or maybe you just like the thrill of the early routes, the first badge, the blank Pokédex. Deleting a file isn’t a loss. It’s choosing an alternate story. If you’re reading how to delete the save file Pokemon X here, then you’re reading here for a new chapter—take it.
Digital vs. Cartridge: Does the Process Change?
Short answer: No—the button combo works for both. Here’s the nuance that matters when you’re planning how to delete save file Pokemon X:
Cartridge Version
- Save data is stored on the game card. The Up + B + X method is the right and safest way to erase it.
Digital Version
- Save data is stored with your installed software on the SD card. The Up + B + X trick will still wipe out your save from within the game.
- To also have a fresh system install, you can delete the software from System Settings → Data Management → Nintendo 3DS → Software, and reinstall. But you usually don’t need to do that just so you can reset a save.
Troubleshooting: When the Delete Combo Won’t Work
The combo is a bit finicky. Make sure to pay attention to these things when attempting to delete the save file Pokemon X.
You’re Not on the Actual Title Screen
You must be on the title screen (before you load the save or press “Continue”). If you have already opened up the file select screen, quit out and try again.
Press Timing
Press Up first, then B + X together. Hold for a fraction of a second. Do again if needed. Make sure all of the buttons are registering.
Sticky or Faulty Buttons
If B or X is sticking, the combination would not activate. Check those buttons in another game or using the 3DS calibration tools. Clean carefully if it won’t harm the button.
Parental Controls or System Glitches
Only occasionally, but a system lock or install corruption will get in your way. Power cycle, restart, and try again. With digital copies, you can also reinstall the game (Data Management) to eliminate quirks.
Soft Reset vs. Full Delete (Know the Difference)
- Soft reset (L + R + Start): Rescents the app. Great for shiny hunting or re-rolling encounters. Your save is still intact.
- Full delete (Up + B + X): Deletes all save data. You’ll lose name, language, and starter again. Avoid using it except when you absolutely want to restart.
What Deleting Really Deletes
You delete the below when you perform how to delete save file Pokemon X:
- Your trainer profile (ID, name, badges).
- Story progress and map unlocks.
- Party and boxes (all Pokémon not traded or banked are lost).
- Items, money, Pokédex.
- Friend Safari data tied to this save.
It does not affect:
- Your Nintendo Network ID.
- Other 3DS games.
- Pokémon already transferred to the Bank/HOME.
Advanced: Emulators Like Citra (Optional)
Legal backup in Citra and want to reset? The rule is the same: you need to remove the save files. The procedure is still how to delete the save file Pokemon X—just on a computer.
Also Read: Clean Space, Keep Calm: How to Delete Attachments in Gmail Without Losing What Matters
Utilize Citra’s Built-In Shortcut
- In Citra, right-click Pokémon X → Open Save Data Location.
- Close the game down first. Then delete the save file/folder (normally the file named main). Boot the game up again to establish a new, blank save.
- Another path for how to delete save file Pokemon X if you are testing routes on an emulator.
Tip: Always save the save folder on your desktop before deleting, in case you change your mind.
If you’re starting from scratch, go all out.
Choose a Theme or Challenge
- Nuzlocke rules, Monotype teams, or a Dex completion run keep things interesting.
Make self-imposed rules. You’ll be entertained and your playthrough will be new.
Write Down Goals
- Which starter? Which megastones? Which legendaries?
- Plan EXP and money routes. You’ll zip through early gyms.
Mini Journal
- Worth the trip: good crits, team swaps, or new ideas.
You’ll be glad you did.
Safety Recap: Do’s and Don’ts
- Do bank or swap Pokémon you want to preserve prior to deleting.
- Do use the title screen combo as a first line of defense.
- Don’t resort to system file deletion when doing a clean reinstall.
- Don’t do it if you’re not sure. Sleep on it. Then decide.
- Do remember: how to delete the save file Pokemon X is easy—but final.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does “how to delete save file Pokemon X” apply the same way to Pokémon Y?
Yes. The Up + B + X code on the title screen erases save data in Pokémon Y too.
Can I recover my save after I delete it?
No. Once deletion is complete, it’s permanent. Back up or replace Pokémon before deletion.
Will deleting my save delete updates or DLC?
No. Deleting a save leaves patches and updates intact. Installing an app with Data Management erases the program and saves both (digital only).
I can’t get the combo to work—what am I doing wrong?
Ensure that you are on the title screen. Press Up with B + X pressed together simultaneously for a brief moment. Ensure that your buttons aren’t sticky.
Does soft reset lose my progress?
No. Soft reset (L + R + Start) will simply reload the game. It won’t erase the save file.
Your Fresh Start Awaits
You looked for a clean slate—and now you know how to delete the save file Pokemon X with no danger. Save the important ones. Hit the right combination. Check with an iron fist. Then relax. A new Kalos lies open to you—new choices, new tales, new triumphs. Ready to hit Start?