How To Reset Nintendogs Game

How to Reset Your Nintendo Dogs Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing your beloved virtual pups in Nintendo Dogs? Feeling overwhelmed by a cluttered kennel or simply wanting a fresh start? This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods of resetting your Nintendo Dogs game, from a simple data wipe to more involved techniques. We’ll cover different versions of the game, addressing common issues and ensuring you can get back to enjoying your virtual pet experience. This guide covers the original Nintendo DS Nintendo Dogs titles, including Nintendo Dogs: Dachshund & Friends, Nintendo Dogs: Shiba Inu & Friends, and Nintendo Dogs + Cats.

Understanding Your Reset Options

Before diving into the specific steps, it's crucial to understand the different types of resets available:

• Soft Reset: This is the simplest form of reset, effectively restarting the current game session without deleting your save data. Think of it as closing and reopening the application.

• Hard Reset (In-Game Reset): Some versions of Nintendo Dogs offer an in-game option to reset your progress. This usually involves deleting all your dogs and starting fresh within the existing save file.

• Full System Reset (Deleting Save Data): This is the most drastic approach. This erases all your saved progress, including your dogs, their training, and any accumulated in-game money. This is usually done via the console's system settings, not within the game itself.

How to Perform a Soft Reset

A soft reset is the quickest and easiest way to address minor glitches or just want a fresh start within your current game:

1. Pause the Game: Press the START button to pause your game.

2. Close the Game: Navigate to the main menu and select the option to exit the game. This might involve choosing "Quit" or a similar option.

3. Restart the Game: Launch Nintendo Dogs again. The game will load your save file, but any minor in-game glitches should be resolved.

How to Perform a Hard Reset (If Available)

Unfortunately, a dedicated in-game "reset" option isn't consistently available across all Nintendo Dogs versions. The availability depends on the specific game version. Some versions might offer this function through a hidden menu or option within the game's settings. There’s no universal method for this.

Performing a Full System Reset (Deleting Save Data)

This is the most effective way to completely erase your Nintendo Dogs progress and start fresh. However, it’s irreversible, so make absolutely sure this is what you want before proceeding. This method involves resetting the save data for the game through your Nintendo DS system settings. Here's a general guide; specifics may vary slightly depending on your DS model's firmware version:

1. Access System Settings: From the Nintendo DS home menu, find and select the "System Settings" icon.

2. Locate Data Management: Navigate through the system settings until you find an option related to data management, save data, or memory management. The exact wording varies between DS models.

3. Select Nintendo Dogs Save Data: You should see a list of your saved games. Locate the entry for your specific Nintendo Dogs game.

4. Delete Save Data: There should be an option to delete this saved game data. This usually involves selecting the game entry and confirming the deletion. This action is irreversible. Once you delete the save data, it’s gone.

5. Restart the Game: After deleting the save file, restart Nintendo Dogs. The game will prompt you to start a new game profile.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While resetting your game should resolve many issues, some problems may persist. Here are some common problems and potential solutions:

• Game Freezes: If the game freezes consistently, try a soft reset first. If the issue persists, a full system reset might be necessary. Consider cleaning the game cartridge's contacts with a soft, lint-free cloth to rule out physical contact problems.

• Corrupted Save Data: If you encounter strange behaviors, like missing dogs or corrupted data, a full system reset is your best option.

• Sound Problems: Sound issues are often unrelated to the save data itself. Check your DS's volume settings and ensure the sound isn't muted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I reset only parts of my game, like deleting specific dogs but keeping others?

A: No, there's no mechanism within Nintendo Dogs to selectively delete individual dogs. A full system reset is the only way to achieve a complete restart. Any form of a "reset" will affect your entire game save data.

Q: Will resetting the game erase my Nintendo DS system settings?

A: No, resetting your Nintendo Dogs save data will only affect that specific game's progress. Your other games and system settings will remain unaffected.

Q: My game is running slowly. Will a reset fix this?

A: Performance issues are usually not related to save data. A full reset is unlikely to improve performance. It's more likely a problem with the game cartridge itself or the Nintendo DS hardware.

Q: What if I accidentally delete the wrong save data?

A: Unfortunately, there's no way to recover deleted save data once it's been removed. Be absolutely certain before deleting any save files.

Q: I’ve tried everything, and the game still has problems. What can I do?

A: If you've tried all these steps and still encounter problems, the issue may lie with the game cartridge itself or a hardware malfunction on your Nintendo DS. Check the game cartridge for any damage and try cleaning its contacts. If the issue persists, your Nintendo DS may need repair.

Conclusion

Resetting your Nintendo Dogs game can be a valuable tool for troubleshooting and starting fresh. Understanding the different types of resets and choosing the appropriate method based on your needs is crucial. Remember to always back up any important data before performing any significant system resets, though with Nintendo Dogs this isn't possible given the nature of the game save system. Always back up your data whenever possible on any system. While a soft reset offers a quick fix for minor issues, a full system reset provides a clean slate, although you must remember it’s irreversible. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has helped you understand how to effectively reset your Nintendo Dogs game and continue enjoying your virtual pet adventure. Remember to approach the reset process carefully and thoughtfully to ensure you achieve your desired outcome.