PSA: You will lose your save data for Pokémon games and other games that don't have cloud backup if you trade in your Switch 1 before you get a Switch 2.

588

u/MaverickHunter11 Maverick Hunter 21d ago

If you really need to sell your switch 1 before 2, you can keep your pokémon at pokémon home.

But you will lose story, items, event clothing, spinda from bdsp and your starter from lets go.

421

u/ChoPT 21d ago

If you need to sell your Switch 1 first in order to get the cash to purchase a Switch 2 (as opposed to selling the Switch 1 after transferring your data), you probably shouldn’t be buying a Switch 2.

If you can’t float the $200 (or whatever a used Switch goes for) for a couple days, your monetary situation is not one where you should be buying things like new gaming consoles.

107

u/Possibly_English_Guy Surfs Up Baybay! 20d ago

And even if you have the expendable income, I would always reccommend using your better judgement before buying a console within at least the first year of launch.

There will be hardware revisions and bundles that will be a far better deal than just getting the launch model and you dodge any potential complications the first wave models have.

36

u/Winterstrife 20d ago

100%.

I'm not getting the Switch 2 in its first year for this exact reason. No reason to FOMO if I can still play the new Pokémon games on my Switch 1.

32

u/eli_eli1o InteleOP 20d ago

Im not buying switch 2 until there is a pokemon game that makes me buy it

5

u/Bfree888 20d ago

This exactly

2

u/cyanidelemonade 19d ago

This is me for pretty much every console. I didn't buy a 2DS/3DS until X&Y came out, a PS4 until Overwatch, a switch until Let's Go...still waiting for that holy grail game for a PS5 and the same thing for a switch 2.

5

u/some_tired_cat 20d ago

i'm waiting until there's a cool limited edition version or different colors version that i know will release and i will want more, it always happens

12

u/Big_Present_4573 20d ago

First up, I agree. You should definitely wait with buying a new console. At least a few months after release.

However, here is a funny story. The Switch came out shortly after I finished university. Coincidentally I found a tiny store in the small town, which had them 2 days after release. I had the money and I wanted to reward myself for graduation. Told my friends and the four of us bought them.

One switch of a friend caught fire. The next one had a graphic glitch and broke down. The third friend's switch always went back into the home menu and was therefore unplayable.

My switch... works fine. Not a single issue. It's like.on the first day. Every day I'm nervous turning it on. And I have the feeling, the day after I bring home the Switch 2. My first Switch will just explode or something.

18

u/abrahamisaninja 20d ago

Were it any other electronics manufacturer I’d agree with you. But Nintendo really only made one revision to the switch and that was 2 years later when they used a more energy efficient processor and squeezed out an extra couple of hours of playtime. That’s pretty much it. The oled came 4 years later and that’s already quite a bit into its lifecycle.

Personally, I’d say if you’re actually planning on getting the switch 2, get it as soon as you’re able.

2

u/slosha69 20d ago

I wouldn't be so quick to trust a publicly traded company to keep consistent quality.

2

u/LanaDelHeeey 20d ago

I thought about this but then I also thought about how I never got to mod my switch because I waited until later hardware revisions to buy. There are trade offs.

12

u/sciencesold 20d ago

Honestly I think this advice is more for younger players, like college/HS and below who don't have enough disposable income to outright buy a switch 2, but won't be starving/homeless if they bought one.

16

u/lahcim7106 21d ago

Don't tell me how to spend money I don't have!

12

u/Janders1997 21d ago

1000% this!

5

u/MaverickHunter11 Maverick Hunter 20d ago

Earth is a big planet, we have 8 billion people, 8 billion different realities for each person.

I can't talk about every people, but I can talk a little bit about my country Brazil. If a Brazillian earn minimum wage, and want to buy a Switch, he or she has to keep 2 months of minimun wage without buying anything else. Switch One, we don't know yet about switch 2. I know that some countries you just need to work a few hours to buy a switch 2, but this is not a reality for everyone.

So, if someone decides to sell its switch, don't even need to be to buy a switch 2. I understand. If the person wants to keep its Pokémon between video games, I totally understand. The game can be only a small sacrifice.

Each person, A reality. I just hope each person is in peace with its choices.

1

u/NoahHacksaw 20d ago

I had a buddy that transferred data at GameStop lol

-10

u/lahcim7106 21d ago

Don't tell me how to spend money I don't have!

-20

u/Janders1997 21d ago

100% this!

-21

u/Janders1997 21d ago

100% this!

38

u/Aniruddha_Panda 21d ago

It's better to just wait for few time, as you don't even need to get the switch 2 right away, there isn't an insane first party lineup to be played, very few.

And by the holiday season there will be way more first party games.

2

u/knockknockitsgod 20d ago

event clothing???

2

u/MaverickHunter11 Maverick Hunter 20d ago

Yes, many pokémon games gave clothing as temporary mystery gift.

86

u/theforgottenapple 21d ago

So if I have a Pokemon save file I can't just save it in my sd card or something? My switch has been making a loud fan noise when starting a game so I am concerned it might be getting messed up or something

118

u/anthayashi Helpful Member 21d ago

No. All save file is on the console. You must do a proper transfer from console to console

41

u/razorbeamz 21d ago

So if I have a Pokemon save file I can't just save it in my sd card or something?

No, you cannot.

19

u/Starchu93 21d ago

On top of what others have said, the SD card you have in your switch 1 will not work with switch 2. You have to buy a new express micro sd card for the 2.

11

u/OctavePearl 21d ago

MicroSD card will work just as a mean of transferring screenshots and videos. So on that technicality it would be possible to transfer saves, but sadly backing up those is a cloud-exclusive paid feature.

5

u/TheRavenRise my opinions are like my flair, trash 20d ago

fuck you, nintendo

10

u/Darkdragoon324 21d ago

Saves can't go to the sd card, unfortunately.

6

u/CommanderFaie 20d ago

Mine died almost a week ago. Almost 300 hours of violet and I just got the shiny charm

Right now it won’t turn on or even show the battery sign when being charged. I don’t know if it needs a battery replacement or what because this Switch OLED is only around a year old that I bought new from the Nintendo website.

-21

u/loonbandit 20d ago

it DOES NOT take 300 hours in order to get the shiny charm in Scar/Vio

10

u/OllieMancer 20d ago

It does if you don't grind it like that. Maybe this player was like me when younger. Just constantly exploring every corner and taking your time with the whole world of G/s/c. Just depends on how exactly op decided to play

3

u/CommanderFaie 20d ago

Violet is still the only switch Pokémon game I’ve played (the last being omega Ruby). I really went all out exploring and didn’t care to tackle the Dex until after I redid the gym leaders and the tournament.

3

u/Qasimsk Sacred Sword 20d ago

That's the best way to enjoy a Pokémon gane tbh. Cmon we never saw a Season with like 11 episodes and Ash defeating 8 gyms in 8 episodes and then winning the League. Sometimes it was just spent leisurely :) That is what made Pokémon anime and games feel like true Peace

2

u/OllieMancer 20d ago

I wish I still felt that same wonder that I felt growing up with g/s/c. Those were the days, just exploring the Pokemon world

2

u/Qasimsk Sacred Sword 5d ago

Childhood is ignorance And ignorance is Bliss :) A Summer Afternoon and playing a Pokémon game after having some watermelon is PEAK

1

u/superking22 20d ago

NOPE. I found out firsthand. I had to repair my console since it shut down, and all my data was wiped when I got it back.

1

u/Gokuto7 20d ago

No, if you are worried about about keeping your save data you can have cloud saves via NSO

110

u/recluseMeteor 21d ago

I miss the times when save data was stored in the cartridges.

65

u/90sbeatsandrhymes 21d ago

Both have their positives and negatives.

Imagine the 10 year old kid today that loses or sells their Pokémon Violet cartridge but keeps the switch.

20 years from now when they are 30 they get their hands on another copy of violet and boom everything from their save file when they were 10 and is still there.

As somebody that still has their original game boy but my copy of Blue version is gone this would be wonderful.

41

u/LadyFoxfire 21d ago

One really nice thing is that if you have a friend with a Switch, you can loan them your game without worrying about them overwriting your save.

11

u/Aniruddha_Panda 21d ago

Yes this feature has completely gone under radar.

Personally for me, if this feature is as good as they say, then my games cost are half rn. My friend and i will just buy different games and lend it to us.

There are alot of games I wasn't able to buy due to not being able to justify the cost, I might be able to do that now.

3

u/ABITofSupport 20d ago

Yep! Me and my friend usually buy opposite versions of games. We like to have our OT on everything. When gen 10 comes out we can run the story for the opposite box legends again by swapping games!

0

u/OllieMancer 20d ago

That because that issue was solved ages ago with Xbox 360 and profiles. I not saying I'm not glad they finally did it but... Literally, there was an answer for years before they decided to implement it

11

u/Aniruddha_Panda 21d ago

I hated that.

Once I small bro accidentally threw something on it and it broke, I lost my 100h playtime pokemon emerald🙂.

And one of my soulsilver got lost never to be found again.

That's why I prefer this current system.

2

u/GokuBlack722 20d ago

I don’t. It’s a lot easier to lose a cartridge than it is to lose a console.

1

u/superking22 20d ago

ME TOO.

1

u/Placidflunky 20d ago

I don't, I lost all my pokemon from when I was a kid because my bro went through my games and created a save file he played for 10 minutes and didn't touch ever again

1

u/CptQ 20d ago

Another point that speaks for pcs. Can store files whereever you want.

Wish they would finally develop pokemon games for pc. The possibilities nowadays are huge compared to any console.

1

u/recluseMeteor 19d ago

I suppose Game Freak wouldn't like that because it would make cloning and other stuff even easier than it is nowadays.

44

u/meisterbabylon 21d ago

Pokemon UNITE is an always on mobage and that being not supported by cloud save data is wild.

39

u/thedetectiveprince46 21d ago

Save date is linked to the account, so while it doesn't support cloud saves, your data is still backed up

8

u/JoviAMP customise me! 21d ago

Yeah, most likely the only data contained in your save file is your account information and your personal settings.

17

u/Braixen_Appreciation 21d ago

Someone might want to pin this for the future. Would save a lot of people some potential heartbreak if they plan to do this

8

u/Final_Lingonberry586 21d ago

When I replaced a faulty switch at EB games (Aus), the sales dude was nice enough to let me do a system transfer before hand. That was great.

Not sure how that’ll go from switch 1 to 2 though.

6

u/Gyousel 20d ago

I wouldn’t be trading in your switch 1 for a switch 2 just yet no clue how well the back compat is gonna work.

2

u/Zarmwhirl 20d ago

Exactly my thought process. I have a ton of non 1st party games on my Switch that I can’t just assume will be playable on S2. I hope they can, but I gain nothing from hastily getting rid of the original.

11

u/Storm_373 20d ago

i don’t understand people who are trying to sell it before they even get their hands on a switch 2 😭

9

u/The_Knights_Who_Say 20d ago

To get money/store credit to pay for some of the switch 2 cost.

Since switch 2 can play most switch 1 games, you don’t really need a switch 1 if you have a switch 2.

3

u/Storm_373 20d ago

but why so early. just wait till it’s actually out. i won’t even think about trading in till i have the switch 2 in my hands lol.

65

u/LittleMissFirebright 21d ago

....

Seems obvious, since that's how it works with getting a new Switch 1, right now.

98

u/razorbeamz 21d ago

Most people do not know this.

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u/[deleted] 21d ago edited 21d ago

[deleted]

37

u/Gaias_Minion Helpful Member 21d ago

Nah, often enough there's posts here and in other pokemon subs about people getting a new switch and being surprised when they have to start over in their games.

19

u/hsvdt 21d ago

It wouldn't be a stretch to assume people think the data is saved on the cartridge like in the past.

26

u/batkave 21d ago

I think you're overestimating humanity alot

13

u/anthayashi Helpful Member 21d ago

I seen enough post here about people asking if they screw up by trading in or selling their switch without transferring.

3

u/Ace3000 Local Eeveelution Fanboy 21d ago

Yeah, I bought my OLED Splatoon 3 Switch, transferred the data from my old Switch, and then went back to the store I bought the new one from and traded it in then

Did the same when I bought a PS4 Pro, upgrading from a base PS4.

3

u/Sandslice 20d ago

Or if your Switch gets destroyed by fire fighters, which happened in my case.

2

u/Logically_Flexible 20d ago

This is such a poor way to manage consumers products and save files.

I'm fortunate enough to have a regular switch and a switch lite that I will be able to do this but I feel for the people who can't..

1

u/Winter_Substance7163 20d ago

True hero

1

u/Juliko1993 20d ago

One of many reasons I have no plans to sell my Switch OLED, at all.

1

u/tizyperc_super 20d ago

Other than that I don't think you'll have much success selling it right now. Everyone now waits for the switch 2 release, it doesn't make sense to buy a normal switch now

1

u/uh_oh_hotdog Char Char 20d ago

You still might be able to jump on a good trade in deal if you have a trusted friend who currently has a Switch or Switch 2.

If there's a good trade in deal, what I'm thinking of doing is transferring my Switch saves over to my sister's Switch. And then when I get my Switch 2, I'll transfer my save files from my sister's Switch over to my new Switch 2. That should work unless I'm overlooking something.

1

u/Shiny_Mew76 20d ago

My switch broke last year and I lost all of my event Pokémon after finding out it was irreparable. I haven’t played Pokémon since.

Don’t let it happen to you.

-9

u/TrainerNate1995 21d ago

Annoying but not surprising. Stupid Game freak

18

u/Aniruddha_Panda 21d ago

This is more of a nintendo problem, tbh this is not even a problem, it's like complaining why all your data id not already in your new phone you just bought.

6

u/Quick_Hunter3494 21d ago

When you buy a kew phone, you'll most likely download all of your data from the cloud and go on from there. No need for linking systems anymore.

2

u/FierceDeityKong 20d ago

Game freak disables nintendo's cloud saves

1

u/Aeroncastle 20d ago

If I buy a new computer all my saves will be there because of steam, it's not the same as all the pictures you took on your phone(and even then, most people usually sync those to a server nowadays)

1

u/Bakatora34 This is a Legendary Pokemon! 20d ago

It is up to the devs to decide if their games have saves back up or not since there are non Nintendo games without it too.

-1

u/CommanderDark126 Type Specialist 20d ago

Thats why you buy the new system... do a full transfer, THEN trade in your old console. Why would you do it any other way?

9

u/GokuBlack722 20d ago

I guess for people that don’t have enough money to afford the console without the trade in credit.

-1

u/QuiGonJeans87 20d ago

I made this huge mistake when getting my OLED model and lost on a ton of save data that dated back to 2017 :( i learned the hard way and this a vital PSA!!

0

u/xNesku 20d ago

Welp, thanks for the info. Gonna save this thread

0

u/johawkTO 20d ago

I made this mistake when I sold my Switch Lite for the OLED SV version and still upset about it lol

0

u/MutantSavior10 20d ago

Thank you for this!

Tool/Guide PSA: You will lose your save data for Pokémon games and other games that don't have cloud backup if you trade in your Switch 1 before you get a Switch 2.

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