Save

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Saving (Japanese: レポート Report) is a function used in Pokémon games which allows the player to start from where they saved the next time they turn on their game. Saving is required when using certain features of the game such as going to the Global Trade Station and entering a Battle Tower. After defeating the Elite Four, the game automatically saves. If there is already saved game file, the player must first overwrite the existing save file with the new data. A new game can be started if there is a saved game file, however the new file cannot be saved unless it overwrites the existing file. Saving also plays a role in many glitches and in obtaining glitch Pokémon.

In the event that the saving process is interrupted, the save data risks corruption, effectively removing the player's chance of resuming from where they left off, thus forcing the player to start the game from the beginning again. The game will prompt the player when this happens the next time they access the game menu. On the GBA and DS games, there is a back-up save, meaning if the saving process is interrupted, and the save file is corrupted, then the previous save file will be loaded.

List of activities

This is a list of activities which require saving before they can be used.

Generation I

• When using the Pokémon storage system to move Pokémon into other boxes
• When entering the Cable Club
• Entering the Hall of Fame (automatic)

Generation II

• When using the Pokémon storage system to move Pokémon into other boxes
• When entering the Cable Club
• When challenging the Battle Tower
• Entering the Hall of Fame (automatic)

Generation III

• Entering a Battle Tower or, in Pokémon Emerald, another location in a Battle Frontier to participate in battles
• When entering the Cable Club or Wireless Club
• Trading a Pokémon
• Entering the Hall of Fame (automatic)

Generation IV

• Entering a Battle Tower or, in Pokémon Platinum as well as HeartGold and SoulSilver, another location in a Battle Frontier to participate in battles
• Using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
  • Entering the Global Trade Station
• Trading a Pokémon
• Using the Explorer Kit
• Entering the Colosseum or the Union Room
• Entering the Hall of Fame (automatic)

Trivia

• In Generations I, II, and Pokémon Emerald, there are cloning glitches which exploit the use of saving.
• The question for double-checking a save, i.e., the information given to the player that saving will cause the previous save to be overwritten (considering that there is already a save file created), was officialized internationally in Generation II. However, the question was present in Pokémon Red and Green as a one-time reconfirmation and it was implemented in a very unusual manner, since it was only made when the player tried to perform their first save. This was changed in Pokémon Blue, where the save process will only involve a confirmation request and a message of a successful save. The Japanese version of Pokémon Yellow performs exactly like the international versions of all Generation I games.
• From all the Generation I games, the only one to have the Japanese equivalent of the "Now saving..."/"Saving..." message (from the international Red and Blue, and Yellow, respectively) is Pokémon Yellow.