Pokémon Legends: Arceus - How To Begin A New Game (& Start Over)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus has been one of the greatest successes in the franchise as a whole, which may actually prompt players to start over and begin a new game. There isn't anything quite like selecting one's starter Pokémon for the first, second, or even third time, but starting Legends: Arceus from the beginning for another round isn't as simple as it used to be. While it's not an overly complicated process, a few changes in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and the Switch affect how players must go about starting a new game.
Players may find it aggravating to know that only one save file can be created per account in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Similar to restarting Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players cannot simply click a "new game" option in Legends: Arceus that was included in Pokémon games of the past. Instead, Pokémon Legends: Arceus requires players to utilize the Nintendo Switch's storage system to delete their save data and start Pokémon Legends: Arceus over once more.
While there isn't any particular advantage to starting a new game in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players may find that they'd enjoy playing the story over again with a whole new team. Although each of the starter Pokémon in Legends: Arceus have been available options in previous generations, each of the starter Pokémon of the Hisui region have their own final evolution variant that makes them unique. Additionally, players should know that starting a new game will still only allow them to have the regular colorations of Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlet. Shiny starter Pokémon in Legends: Arceus are locked, making them unavailable until players beat the game.
In order to delete Pokémon Legends: Arceus save data, return to the home menu on the Switch, and head to the System Settings menu. Next, select Data Management, then Delete Save Data. All saved games on the Nintendo Switch and external storage device will appear, but players need to select their Pokémon Legends: Arceus file only. Players who wish to continue can select Delete Save Data, although the Switch will warn players about deleting save data. Players will be met with the opening sequences once more the next time Pokémon Legends: Arceus is opened.
Unless players are deadset on playing through Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they should consider completing the side quests and Pokédex before completely starting anew. Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows players to complete the Pokédex on their own, even going as far as to let players evolve trade Pokémon through evolutionary items in-game. Regardless of the reasoning, however, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an exciting adventure that everyone can experience as many times as they desire.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.