Damaged save data error messages

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Error prevention and placeholders in the Pokémon games:

?????????? | ????? | ! | Abnormal Pokémon | Bad Egg | Enigma Berry (Generation III) | Error! | Error codes (Generations I and II) | Error traps for damaged save data | Error traps to prevent impossible progress | Event data debugging messages | Instant victory effect (Generation II) | Mystery Zone | N/A | Pokégear instruction booklet trap | Rhydon trap | Special (location) | This Game Pak is designed only for use on the Game Boy Color. | This Pokémon cannot be traded.


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In the Pokémon series, there are various error messages for damaged save data. As a preventative measure, the game will usually not try to load the save data.


In Generation I

  1. "The file data is destroyed!" - A message that appears when the player's save data is corrupted and the game deems it 'unusable'. This message often appears when resetting a little too early when doing the SRAM glitch at the beginning of the game.

In Generation II

  1. "The save file is corrupted!" - The equivalent of "the file data is destroyed!" from Generation I.

In Generation III

An error message used for corrupted Hall of Fame data in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
  1. "The save file is corrupt[ed]. The previous save file will be loaded." - This message appears in all handheld Generation III Pokémon games when the game attempts to load save data which is 'invalid' but the game has backup save data, and will attempt to load the previous save data instead. Backup save data was introduced in Pokémon games from the third generation and onward, so that if for example the console's battery runs out while saving the player does not have to worry about the possibility of a damaged save file.
  2. "The save file has been erased due to corruption or damage.
  3. "The 1M sub-circuit board is not installed." - This message may appear on emulators in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen when using the wrong save type. It can be prevented by changing the save type to "Flash 128K".
  4. "The HALL OF FAME data is corrupt." - Used when trying to view corrupted Hall of Fame data.
  5. "Save error. Please exchange the backup memory." - This message can appear in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen after the game fails to save progress when the player attempts to save in game.

In Generation IV

  1. "The save data could not be accessed. Please turn the power off and reinsert the DS Game Card." - This message appears in handheld Generation IV games when the game fails to access the save data after the game is booted up.
  2. "The data could not be read. Please turn off the power, then remove and reinsert the Game Boy Advance Game Pak."
  3. "Error saving data. The backup memory has failed. The game may be played, but it is impossible to save. Please turn off the power."
  4. "The saved data could not be deleted..."
  5. "The save file is corrupted. The previous save file will be loaded." - This message will appear when the save data is corrupted, but the game has backup save data. The game will attempt to load the previous save file. The player can easily cause this message by resetting the game while saving.
  6. "The save file will be erased due to corruption or damage."
  7. "Save failed..."
  8. "Error reading the Game Boy Advance Game Pak’s save file. There may not be a file saved, or the save file may be corrupted."
  9. "Your Hall of Fame data is corrupted. It will be fixed if you enter the Hall of Fame again." - This presumably appears when the player attempts to view corrupted Hall of Fame data.


Error messages only in Pokémon Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver

  1. "The most recent Battle Video is corrupted. The previously saved Battle Video will be loaded instead."
  2. "The most recent Battle Hall record is corrupted. The previously saved record will be loaded instead."
  3. "There was an error. The Battle Video couldn’t be saved."
  4. "The data was corrupted. It could not be sent."
  5. "Data is corrupted."
  6. "Save data corrupted"

Error messages in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2

  1. "The save data could not be accessed. Please turn off the power and reinsert the DS Card."

If one fails to erase existing save data before making a new game, the following will appear.

  1. "There is already a saved game file. It is impossible to save."

During migration from Generation IV games, if the game cannot read the save of the older card, it may display one of the following.

  1. "Load data failed..."
  2. "Error reading the save file.There may not be a save file, or the save file may be corrupted."

External links

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