Saving is a mechanic introduced in Generation I.
Description[]
In most games, saving can be done from the menu, and it ensures that the player's progress from up to that point is not lost if they either reset or power off the system. For games released in cartridge format, the save data is stored on the cartridge itself. For Nintendo GameCube games, it is stored on a Memory Card. Furthermore, for Wii games, it is stored on the console itself.
In the core series, since Generation IV, a new game cannot be saved before the old save game has been deleted.
Appearances[]
Core series[]
In the first three generations, saving can be done by opening the menu using the START button. Since Generation IV, the menu for accessing it is done using the X button.
In Generation II, the game autosaves on two occasions: entering the Hall of Fame (like in later generations) and defeating Red. Since Generation III, the game autosaves after completing a trade.
In Generation IV, two different notices appear depending on how much data is being saved, and when it says a lot of data is being saved, this is to notify the player of a longer wait time. Saving takes longer in Pokémon Platinum Version than the other Generation IV core games.
In Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version, the option to save one's game is displayed on the touch screen.
In Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version and Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, the player can see progress of the game saving by looking as more of the dots become light blue. Meanwhile, an animated icon of a pencil writing in a book is displayed above the player. Entering the save option allows the player to see the Pokémon in their party and when they last saved. Saving is quicker than in previous generations.
In the Generation VI games, the same information is displayed before saving, which now takes even shorter than before. In version 1.0 of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, there is a bug in which saving at Lumiose City, either within the North or South Boulevard, causes the game to crash when loading a save file; this issue has been fixed since the version 1.1 update.
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, automatic saving appears for the first time, but the player can also save manually. Automatic saving can be turned off in the Options as well.
Spinoffs[]
In Pokémon Channel, saving can be done by accessing the channel Prof. Oak Report and confirming a prompt to save the game.
In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the player can save the game in the protagonist's base or before certain Mystery Dungeons. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, the player can save either at the end of a chapter, in the protagonist's bed, at the water fountain in Treasure Town, or at Kangaskhan Rocks in Kangaskhan Storage. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, the player can save from the menu if they are not inside of a dungeon.
In all three games of the Pokémon Ranger series, saving cannot be done from the menu, but Save Machines found at Ranger Bases and in front of key locations instead.