I still remember the moment I realized my Pokémon X playthrough wasn’t going the way I wanted. I had picked the wrong starter, missed a few Pokémon I wanted on my team, and wished I could go back to the very beginning. If you’ve ever felt that way, learning how to reset Pokémon X can completely change your experience.
The game doesn’t give you a simple “New Game” option in the menu, which confuses many players at first. Instead, Nintendo built a hidden reset method that works directly from the title screen. Once you know the button combination, restarting your adventure in the Kalos region takes only a few seconds.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through exactly how to delete your save file, perform soft resets for shiny hunting, reset EV stats using Super Training, and protect your rare Pokémon before starting over. By the end, you’ll know how to reset Pokémon X safely and begin a fresh journey the right way.
Why Do Players Reset Pokemon X?
Many players decide to restart their Pokémon games for different reasons. I have personally reset the game multiple times because each playthrough can feel completely different.
Some players want to choose a different starter Pokémon. Pokémon X offers Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, and sometimes players realize they prefer another option after starting the game.
Others reset the game to hunt for shiny Pokémon. Shiny hunters often restart the beginning sequence repeatedly until the starter appears as a shiny.
Some players also restart simply to replay the story. The Kalos region offers memorable locations and characters, so returning to the beginning can feel like experiencing the adventure for the first time again.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Reset Pokemon X on Nintendo 3DS
If you want to start a new game, you must delete the current save file directly from the title screen. I always follow these steps carefully to ensure the reset works properly.
Step 1: Launch Pokemon X
Insert your Pokémon X cartridge or open the game on your Nintendo 3DS system.
Wait until the main title screen appears. This screen displays the game logo and the legendary Pokémon Xerneas.
Step 2: Use the Reset Button Combination
On the title screen, press the following buttons at the same time:
Up on the D-pad + B + X
You must press them simultaneously. If the timing is correct, the game will open the save deletion menu.
Note that older Pokémon games used a different combination involving the Select button. In the Nintendo 3DS generation, the reset method changed.
Step 3: Confirm Save File Deletion
The game will ask whether you want to delete all save data.
Confirm the deletion to proceed. This action permanently removes your progress and cannot be undone.
Step 4: Begin a New Adventure
After deleting the save file, the game returns to the opening screen.
You can now start a brand-new journey through the Kalos region and select a new language for your playthrough if you want to change it.
What Happens When You Delete Saved Data?
Before you perform the reset, it is important to understand exactly what will be erased.
Deleting the save file removes your entire game progress. This includes all Pokémon stored in your party or PC boxes, items you collected, badges earned during the story, and Pokédex progress.
Because the process is permanent, I always double-check that I transferred valuable Pokémon before restarting.
How to Soft Reset Pokemon X for Shiny Hunting
Many players confuse deleting save data with soft resetting. A soft reset simply reloads the game without erasing your progress.
To perform a soft reset on Nintendo 3DS, press:
L + R + Start
or
L + R + Select
This immediately returns the game to the title screen. Players commonly use this method when trying to obtain shiny Pokémon or better starter stats.
Soft resetting can be repeated many times without losing saved progress.
How to Reset EV Stats Using the Reset Bag
Resetting the game is not the only type of reset available. Pokémon X also allows you to reset a Pokémon’s Effort Values using a special item.
Inside the Super Training feature, you can obtain a Reset Bag. To get one, repeatedly tap the empty training bag until it appears.
Using the Reset Bag removes all EV points from a Pokémon, allowing you to retrain its stats from the beginning. This method is helpful for competitive players who want to optimize their teams.
Important Things to Do Before Restarting the Game
Before performing a full reset, I always take a few precautions to avoid losing rare Pokémon. I also quickly review my device’s privacy settings to ensure my data and connected accounts, like Pokémon Bank, are properly secured before making any major changes.
Transfer Valuable Pokémon
If you have legendary or shiny Pokémon you want to keep, trade them to another game or transfer them to Pokémon Bank.
This ensures you do not lose them when the save file is deleted.
Check Pokémon Bank or Pokémon Home
Pokémon Bank allows you to store Pokémon online before resetting your game. Many players use this feature to protect rare Pokémon while starting a new playthrough.
Remember the Reset Cannot Be Reversed
Once the game deletes the save file, there is no way to restore it. I recommend confirming that you really want to restart before completing the process.
Common Reset Problems and Quick Fixes
Sometimes the reset process does not work the first time. When this happens, the issue is usually related to timing.
Make sure you press Up, B, and X at exactly the same moment while the title screen is visible. Pressing the buttons too early during the loading screen will not activate the reset command.
If the game continues loading normally, simply return to the title screen and try again.
FAQs About Resetting Pokémon X
1. Can you start a new game without deleting the save file?
No. Pokémon X only allows one save file per game cartridge, so deleting the existing save data is required.
2. Is resetting the game safe?
Yes. The reset function is built into the game. However, it permanently removes your saved progress.
3. Can deleted save data be recovered?
No. Once the save file is erased, the game cannot restore it.
4. Why do players reset Pokémon games so often?
Many players repeat the opening sequence to obtain shiny starters, better stats, or simply to replay the story.
Final Thoughts on Restarting Pokemon X
After learning how to reset Pokémon X, I realized how simple it is to start a completely new adventure. Resetting the game provides you a new start, whether you want to try shiny hunting, relive the plot, or select a different starter.
Just don’t forget to move any rare Pokémon before erasing your saved data. The Kalos area welcomes you once more with fresh possibilities and discoveries after the reset is over.
