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Topic: Formatting System / Preinstalled Game Save Data

Posts 1 to 6 of 6

JayOtt

Hi all! Hoping you can help...

Short version:
I'm looking to get my Pokemon Y game data back after formatting my 3DS XL. SD card backed up with a full image, and a folder copy.

Long version:
Bought a 3DS XL with Pokemon Y pre-installed. Created a NNID, started playing - ~20 hours in.
Realise that my NNID name was spelled wrong, can't change it, mildly annoying so attempt to fix;
Made an image of the SD card in case anything goes wrong - presumed game and save data is stored on it.
Read that pre-installed games are tied to the hardware, not NNID.
Removed SD card, and formatted 3DS, created a new NNID with correct spelling.
Inserted SD card again, pokemon not on home screen.
Can't re-download from shop, not enough space on SD card.

Gave up... removed SD card, formatted 3DS again, linked old mis-spelled NNID to the 3DS, and inserted SD card again...
Still no game!

Is there ANY way of retrieving my Pokemon Y save game again??
;_;

JayOtt

Tasuki

Contact Nintendo and explain the problem. That is the only way I can think of.

RetiredPush Square Moderator and all around retro gamer.

My Backlog

Eel

You mention that you can't redownload because of a lack of space, is the eShop still recognizing the game as being available for download? (As in, you still own it?)

Try getting rid of the old "copy" of the game by formatting your sd card to make space to download it.

The 3ds system is not able to read data created by a different system (your formatted system counts as a different system, even if it's physically the same). So yours won't be able to read that old data, no matter how much you try.

[Edited by Eel]

Bloop.

<My slightly less dead youtube channel>

SMM2 Maker ID: 69R-F81-NLG

My Nintendo: Abgarok

shinesprite

Right, the general consensus is that each Nintendo game download is made unique by incorporating your hardware's key into the game's package. By doing so, they can prevent their users from sharing the contents of their SD card and essentially giving away free copies of games.

Unfortunately, this hardware key changes when you reformat your system, meaning that older downloads are no longer recognized as being purchased by your system (which benefits Nintendo as systems are usually formatted prior to resale).

This is exactly why we need a better account system with purchases properly tied to accounts. (I for one, am especially looking forward to see what the big N will do about this when they overhaul the current account system in 2016.)

If its any comfort though, I remember having similar worries when I had to send my Wii in to Nintendo for a motherboard replacement, but in the end I was able to get all of my games back (but I'm really glad I backed-up those saves).
Give them a call, they can probably work something out (though seriously, stop reformatting your 3DS until you've talked with them).

shinesprite

JayOtt

Hi all,

To clarify - Yes, I can still re-download the game. If I clear the SD card or use another one, I can download and play the game again... my save files is what I after though. It's sitting in an image of the SD card I took before formatting the system.

I did also find this post which was interesting:
http://techforums.nintendo.com/thread/27484
... describing the .sav files. I tried this, but the game told me the save file was corrupted. Perhaps I'm missing some other file other than the .sav file?

JayOtt

Eel

Well then, to put it simply, you can't.

The save file was created by a different system and the game won't recognize it. Never.

In that thread you link to, the person is copying the files from one sd card to another, but both sets of data were created by the same system.

[Edited by Eel]

Bloop.

<My slightly less dead youtube channel>

SMM2 Maker ID: 69R-F81-NLG

My Nintendo: Abgarok

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