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Topic: Question About 3ds Cartridge Save Data

Posts 1 to 6 of 6

BlackKat

Hi! I have a quick question:

I mostly own cartridge games for my 3ds, and as a cartridge owner, I can sometimes get worried about my data saved on them, since they aren't saved on the 3ds itself. I'm wondering if there's a way to somehow back up the saved data on my cartridges so that I will no longer worry about losing them.

Is there a way?

Thanks! (^.^)/

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Anti-Matter

@BlackKat
3DS game save data always written INSIDE the cart. But, only Fantasy Life (so far I knew) the save data written OUTSIDE the cart (that means, if you insert Fantasy Life cart into another 3DS, the save data is not founded)

Don't worry about 3DS or NDS cartridge. They are different with older GBA cartridge. Your save data will be safe, will not lost like older GBA cart, unless if you accidentally damage them seriously. Also, the benefit by Save data written onto cart is when you want to play them with another 3DS, your Save data atill carried so you can continue your gaming progress on your another 3DS and then back to your older 3DS to continue again your gaming progress.

Anti-Matter

Tyranexx

Nearly all physical 3/DS cartridge saves write directly to the cartridge itself. The exceptions are a small handful of game saves that write to the system's SD/Micro SD card or any external data that you download for that game (like DLC and game patches). DSiWare is saved to the system's memory itself (Yes, that baffles me, too....).

3DS/DS cartridge saves use flash memory, similar to how a SD card works. While a quick Google search didn't give me any exact numbers, flash memory cards typically can be written to (in this case, saved to) a very large number of times; they can be read from (AKA accessing your save) an infinite number of times. Unless you're saving a game unreasonably often (like twice a minute for hours at a time), expect that cartridge to last a very long time. Obviously this doesn't cover if the cartridge is damaged, but there are stories around the web of cartridges surviving a stint in the wash and still working afterward. They're pretty durable.

Personally, I prefer physical carts since they're easier to share between systems, loan out, or even sell. If your mind still isn't at ease, however, I suggest that you start buying your games digitally and invest in a hefty SD/Micro SD card.

Edited on by Tyranexx

Currently playing: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (Switch)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31

Sisilly_G

I'm not sure if this violates site rules, but there are cheating devices that can be used to back-up save data. I have one for my original DS, but unfortunately, it does not support many games post 2008-2009. And I do not have an equivalent device for 3DS games. Nintendo cautions users to not use such devices lest it corrupts the cartridge, however. I did experience such a problem briefly with Pokémon Pearl, but with a little troubleshooting, I was able to restore the data. In other words, you may stand to risk your save data by performing such activities, so act accordingly.

Frankly, I see no reason to worry. I'd be more worried about save data being stored on the system itself (as is the case with Switch), because if something happens to your console, then you will lose ALL save data for ALL users of the console, which is monumentally worse.

Edited on by Sisilly_G

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Oat

Yeah carts are pretty durable. I had my 3ds and ton of my carts accdently dunked in cleaning solution at work. While I had to send in my 3ds to Nintendo to get fixed, I let my games dry for about a week. All of them worked just fine with all my save data intact.

So zetta slow!
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Tyranexx

sillygostly wrote:

Frankly, I see no reason to worry. I'd be more worried about save data being stored on the system itself (as is the case with Switch), because if something happens to your console, then you will lose ALL save data for ALL users of the console, which is monumentally worse.

You've highlighted one of the main reasons why I prefer physical games when possible. You could redownload all those games (on the 3DS at least) after a call to Nintendo should your unit need repairs or is stolen, but all that save data is gone. All those hours down the drain. I'd rather risk losing a few games (like if my case was lost or stolen; I never haul all my games around at once) than losing them all.

At least you can back up the contents of a 3DS's SD card. To my knowledge, there isn't currently a backup solution for the Switch.

Currently playing: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr's Journey, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (Switch)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31

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