Topic: I lost my Pokemon Shield game cartridge, please help.

Please help me, I lost my Pokemon Shield game cartridge. Ive retraced my steps to where I last had it but I couldn't find it. I'm thinking about getting another Shield game cartridge, but Im worried if my save data wont leave off where I had it. I have some shiny pokemon and legendary pokemon on there and Ive completed the game. If me getting a new copy doesnt work, how will I be able to recover my pokemon on there? Would I have to recover them via pokemon home or what do I do? I am so nervous. Please help.

@Todokawa_Kaardo Sorry to hear!

Fortunately, unlike games on previous systems, your save data will be on the Switch itself, so you should recover everything when buying a new cartridge.

@Todokawa_Kaardo
Nintendo Switch Save data game is NOT inside the cartridge. (Only GBA, NDS and 3DS games Save data inside the cartridge)
It is inside your Nintendo Switch system.
You can pick same Pokemon Shield cartridge and continue your progress.

@timleon Oh ok tysm! I just decided to confirm that I could.

@Anti-Matter Ok tysm! Kinda figured that was the case but just wanted to confirm.

You can also transfer your Pokémon to Pokémon Home, in case you decide to go for Sword instead of another Shield (or get a copy of Shield that is identified as a different software.)

There it is right there.

@Todokawa_Kaardo Like what everyone has said, Its on the system.

@Northwind I was nervous about the cloud part. It said it wasn’t backed up there so I was super nervous about my save data being gone. And sorry you lost 200 hours of that

@Snatcher tysm!

@Eel Thank you, I’m still thinking about shield so I can still have the expansion pass I bought and the progress I made on the game.

@Tasuki ty

Also, another question for the people who answered my question. Would I be able to get the digital copy and it still have my data? Or do I have to get the physical copy?

@DomGC Yes, I was thinking about getting shield again if I can’t find my lost cartridge. Thanks!

The Switch doesn't care where the game comes from, digital or physical. What matters is, which Switch user icon you open the game with. Your save file is tied to the Switch user.

You can buy digital right now, and it will still pull from the same game save file. You can buy the physical game tomorrow, throw that in, everything will still look and work the same.

@WoomyNNYes thanks! I may get the digital copy so I don’t have to keep track of the cartridge this time.