DS games that can't be reset?

[Ro-J]

I was surfing through Amazon this morning and came upon this customer review for Gunpey DS....

"There is only one save file and no way to reset the game (I googled). Be wary of buying this game used or with the intention of sharing it with, e.g., a family member. If the act of unlocking features is important to you, you will miss out. Frankly, this seems like negligent programming."

...and was mildly annoyed as I often buy my games used and I don't like the idea of buying a game where every feature is already unlocked and I can't reset it. Since a random mini-review on Amazon hardly counts as a credible source I decided to do my own google search and found at least one other source (http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/file/934344/46301) confirming that the game can't be reset.

Are there other games out there that can't be reset? Is this a means of combating the used game market and ensuring that people buy their games new? Personally I won't buy a game used if I know everything has already been done and I can't play the game from scratch, I would have to buy new if I really wanted the game. Thoughts?

[Jorpho]

There are homebrew programs for the DS that will in fact allow for the sending and receiving of save data stored on any legitimate DS cart via WiFi. In theory, I imagine you could wipe the data by uploading a blank save file.

Still, that requires a flashcart of some sort, and I reckon it would not be impossible to brick a game that expects certain content in its save data, even when the data is supposedly "blank".

[BetaWolf47]

I suppose it does make it impossible to accidentally delete your progress, but making a game that can't be reset is ridiculous. We shouldn't need to have workarounds like homebrew game save managers.

[Gameguy]

Gunpey DS sucks anyway, there's a reason why used copies are only $2.99 each at EB Games.

[kupomogli]

Advance Wars Dual Strike can't be reset. Now you can start a new game, etc, etc, however you are unable to reset your stats manager.

If you're getting a used copy of the DS game for something like review purposes, you might just want to see how much time is on it before you start up a new game. So you can give a correct amount of time you put into the game when finishing it, etc.

Game is worth it though. Advance Wars DS is amazing. Advance Wars in general is actually. Sony used the idea and released Field Commander for the PSP, which is pretty much exactly like Advance Wars but in 3d(and just as good.)

[p_b]

AFAIK, Sega Superstar Tennis can't be reset. I bought it second hand and couldn't find a way to reset it (neither manual nor Google helped...)

[Icarus Moonsight]

I recently got Picross DS used... Couldn't figure out how to wipe the save on it and start fresh either. Annoying as hell.

[Gameguy]

I recently got Picross DS used... Couldn't figure out how to wipe the save on it and start fresh either. Annoying as hell.
Try to hold the L Button + Select while loading the game, from what I read an erase data screen will appear. I have a copy but I haven't tried it myself. I honestly forgot I had it until I saw your post, I never got around to playing it yet. I do know that there's an option to erase data in the original Mario's Picross for Gameboy, I would be surprised if it wasn't included in the more recent sequel.

[Aussie2B]

This kind of thing has been going on since basically the beginning of saves in games. Although in the past it didn't matter if you only overwrite files or scores instead of deleting them. When it's unlockable content, yeah, that's when it gets really irritating. Most people feel like unlocking content is a part of the experience of playing through a game, so without that, it's like starting a game and having the first stage already beaten for you. It's mildly annoying when there's no blatant option to delete unlockables since finding out special codes can be a pain when you have no manual, but no option to do so at all? That's just plain inconsiderate to the gamer. Sure, there's the argument that they don't want games to be bought used since it has no benefit to the publisher, but should every member of a family be forced to buy a copy just for the luxury of starting from scratch?

Granted, there's pretty much always a way to screw with the data. There's always replacing the battery if that's an option, you can try turning a system on and off repeatedly, or pulling a game out while the system is still on, but there's the chance of other bad results occurring from those actions.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Try to hold the L Button + Select while loading the game...

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try it and report results in a few hours.

Report: It worky! YAY!

[b0ub0u]

Advance Wars Dual Strike can't be reset. Now you can start a new game, etc, etc, however you are unable to reset your stats manager.

If you're getting a used copy of the DS game for something like review purposes, you might just want to see how much time is on it before you start up a new game. So you can give a correct amount of time you put into the game when finishing it, etc.

Game is worth it though. Advance Wars DS is amazing. Advance Wars in general is actually. Sony used the idea and released Field Commander for the PSP, which is pretty much exactly like Advance Wars but in 3d(and just as good.)

Actually, there is a way to delete the stats and all.

Hold select, the L button and right on the control pad when you select advance wars after powering up. You'll be given an option to erase all saved data.

Here you go.

[Gameguy]

I actually was curious about Gunpey DS so I contacted Namco Bandai and asked them directly. I'll post their response.


Thank you for contacting Namco Bandai's Customer Support Department.

Unfortunately, the save data for Gunpey DS cannot be reset or deleted.

Please feel free to contact us again in the future as the need arises.

[Blitzwing256]

I had the same problem with super streetfighter something something for gba, all the charecters were unlocked and all the stats were maxed out when i got the game from a friend (was free so i shoudln't bitch, but still pretty anoying)

[Jorpho]

Gunpey DS sucks anyway, there's a reason why used copies are only $2.99 each at EB Games.Is there a better version of Gunpey? I've been rather curious about it.

[Gameguy]

Is there a better version of Gunpey? I've been rather curious about it.
I've only played the DS version so I'm not sure how the other versions compare, I just found it to be a mediocre puzzle game. From what I played, you face off against an AI who can cheat at random to make the game more challenging. Like the controls stop working briefly to make it harder, other things too(I forget exactly). You can still beat the stages but the whole time I played them I just wanted them to end, I didn't really enjoy the game as I was playing it. Unlocking the whole game so you can say you beat it is a main reason to keep playing it. I haven't played it in a year and don't really want to play it again.

[Yukima]

The same thing goes for Pokemon Ranger - if you bought the game new, you could put in a code to unlock a Manaphy egg you could transfer to Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. Once the egg's transfered, you couldn't get it again even if you restarted the game.