How to start a new game in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon

Whether you bought a used copy or want a clean slate, here’s how to start a new save file in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon.

You’ve completed the Pokédex, completed the main quest, collected every TM, and proved you are a true Pokémon Master. You have nothing left to prove or perhaps, you want to start your adventure over again with a different starting Pokémon. What are you going to do?

Reset the game and strive to catch ’em all, all over again— that’s what.

If you are new to Pokémon games or have picked up a preowned copy of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon, then you might have realized that Pokémon games only have one save file, meaning that if you want to start a new adventure, you either have to buy another copy or wipe off all the data on the current cartridge.

Starting a new game, however, and resetting the game to factory settings isn’t really spelled out to the player at all. A “New Game” option does not exist on the main menu and it can sometimes feel like you are just stuck with what you have.

There is a way to start a new game, however, but it will wipe everything you have done in the game thus far. If you have grown attached to some Pokémon then be sure to trade them over to a friend before restarting, otherwise there will be no way to get them back.

With that in mind, here’s everything you need to do to reset your copy of Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon.

Step One: Boot up your game so that the opening cutscene plays. Do not go into the main menu.

Step Two: Hold the X, B, and the Up directional buttons on the D-pad. A menu will load asking you if you want to reset your game.

Step Three: Click Yes. Your game will now be reset.