You delete a Pokémon X save file by holding specific buttons while the game starts up, then confirming the deletion

To remove a save file from Pokémon X on a Nintendo 3DS, start the game and when ready hold X + B + Delete at the same time. Keep holding all three buttons until a menu appears asking you to confirm. Select "Yes" to delete the save file permanently. The game will then ask you to create a new save file the next time you start it.

This method works on any 3DS model — the original, 3DS XL, 2DS, or New 3DS. The buttons are in the same location on all versions. If you are using a New 3DS XL, the button positions are slightly different due to the larger screen, but the same three buttons exist in the same relative positions on the device.

Once you delete the save file, there is no way to recover it from the cartridge or digital version. If you think you might want the file later, consider backing it up first through the 3DS system settings if you own the digital version, though cartridge saves cannot be backed up this way.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold X + B + Delete simultaneously when starting Pokémon X to open the deletion menu.
  • The deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you want to remove the file before confirming.
  • This method works on all 3DS models, including the original 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, and New 3DS.
  • Digital copies of Pokémon X can be backed up through 3DS system settings before deletion, but physical cartridges cannot.
  • After deletion, the game will prompt you to start a new save file the next time you launch it.

Why you might want to delete a save file

Players delete Pokémon X saves for different reasons. Some want to restart the game from the beginning with a fresh team. Others are passing the cartridge or console to someone else and want to clear their progress. A few delete saves because they got stuck in the game and want to try a different approach without the old file taking up space.

If you are restarting to play through the story again, deleting the old save is the only way to begin a new game. Pokémon X does not allow multiple save files on the same cartridge or digital copy — only one save can exist at a time. This is different from some other games that let you have several playthroughs running simultaneously.

What happens after you delete the save file

Once the save file is gone, Pokémon X will treat the cartridge or digital copy as if it has never been played. The next time you start the game, it will walk you through the opening sequence and ask you to name your character and choose your starter Pokémon, just as if you were playing for the first time.

All your Pokémon, items, badges, and progress are erased. You will not be able to access any Pokédex entries you had filled in, any money you had saved, or any locations you had unlocked. The game starts completely fresh, and you begin in your character's bedroom in Vaniville Town.

Backing up your save before deletion

If you own the digital version of Pokémon X, you can back up your save file through the 3DS system settings before you delete it. Go to System Settings, then Data Management, then Software, and select Pokémon X. You will see an option to back up the save data to the system. This creates a copy that you can restore later if you change your mind.

Physical cartridges do not have a built-in backup option through the 3DS system. If you own a cartridge and want to preserve your save, you would need specialized equipment or software that is not part of the standard 3DS experience. For most players with cartridges, deletion is permanent.

If you are unsure whether you own a digital or physical copy, check your 3DS home screen. Digital games appear as icons on the home menu itself. Physical cartridges require you to insert the cartridge each time you play, and they do not appear as permanent icons.

If the button combination does not work

If holding X + B + Delete does not bring up the deletion menu, make sure you are pressing the buttons at the exact moment the game is starting, not after the title screen has already loaded. The timing matters — you need to hold them down before the Pokémon Company logo appears.

Also check that you are using the correct buttons. On a standard 3DS, X is the button to the right of Y, B is below Y, and Delete is the small button in the top right corner of the device. On a New 3DS, the layout is the same. If you are still having trouble, try restarting your 3DS completely and attempting the process again.

If the menu still does not appear, your cartridge or digital copy may have a technical issue. In that case, you might need to contact Nintendo support or visit a game store that handles 3DS repairs.

Starting a new game after deletion

After you delete the save and restart the game, you will begin with a fresh experience. You can choose a different starter Pokémon than you did before, take a different path through the story, or try to catch different Pokémon along the way. Many players use a second playthrough to explore parts of the game they missed the first time.

Keep in mind that you cannot trade Pokémon between your new save and any old save — once the old file is deleted, it is gone. If you wanted to keep any Pokémon from your first playthrough, you would need to trade them to another game or another player's cartridge before deleting the save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a deleted save file?

No. Once you confirm the deletion, the save file is permanently removed from the cartridge or digital copy. There is no recovery option built into Pokémon X or the 3DS system. If you backed up a digital save through system settings before deletion, you can restore that backup, but otherwise the file cannot be recovered.

Will deleting my save file affect other games on my 3DS?

No. Deleting a Pokémon X save only removes that game's data. Other games on your 3DS, your system settings, and any other files remain untouched. Each game stores its save file separately, so removing one does not affect the others.

Do I need to delete the game itself to remove the save?

No. Deleting the save file and deleting the game are two different things. You can delete just the save file and keep the game installed, then start a new playthrough. If you want to remove the game entirely from your 3DS, that is a separate process done through system settings.

What if I want to keep my old save and start a new one?

Pokémon X only allows one save file per cartridge or digital copy, so you cannot have two saves running at the same time on the same device. To keep your old save and play a new game, you would need a second cartridge or a second 3DS console with its own copy of the game.

Does the deletion process work the same on a 2DS?

Yes. The 2DS has the same buttons in the same locations as the original 3DS, so holding X + B + Delete works the same way. The 2DS is just a 3DS without the 3D screen feature, but the hardware and save deletion process are identical.