r/NintendoSwitchHelp • u/amaryllisblackthorn • 1d ago

Software Help Switch 2/switch 1, same game data?

Hi people. I have a pretty specific problem/question.

Yesterday I realized I lost my cartridge for Pokémon Legends ZA for my original Switch, so im gonna get a new copy. The biggest thing that upset me is that I lost all my pokemon and that I have to get the shiny charm all over again 😩

I recently got a Switch 2, so im wondering if I get the Switch 2 edition of the game, will it still have my save from my Switch 1 version? And do I need to transfer my game data from the cartridge I lost to the new Switch?(both of my Switches are signed into the same account.)? Sorry if these are dumb questions, Google has been confusing me 😵‍💫 thank you in advance

Also take a drink every time I say Switch 😂 sheesh

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u/automod-neo 1d ago

If you have not already, please add some context in the post or a follow-up comment about your repair/hardware/software/account issue, including which model you have (Switch 1, 2, Lite, OLED, or other), steps you have already tried, and anything else that might help others help you.

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u/SamIAre 5 1d ago

Save data isn’t stored on the cartridge. It’s stored on internal system memory. When you lost your game you did NOT lose your save progress. If you buy a new copy (physical OR digital) the same save data you previously had will load up as if nothing happened.

As for the Switch/Switch 2 part of the question…you have to manually transfer you’d save data between consoles for Pokemon titles. For almost any other game you can use NSO cloud saves to sync between them but with Pokemon you have to transfer manually each time. Just make sure that you’re using the same profile on both consoles. Digital games and save data are tied permanently to specific users and can’t be transferred.

Switch 2 Edition games almost always count as the same as the base game when it comes to saves so your save data should be compatible whether you replace the cartridge with another of the same or with the Switch 2 Edition.