Deleting Save Data from Pre-Owned Games: What You Can & Can't Do

Save data is stored on the game cartridge/disc, not the console (mostly). You usually cannot fully "wipe" the game to factory state.

Practical Workarounds

1. Start New Game: Overwrites the active save slot. Old data remains in other slots (if any).
2. In-Game "Delete Save" Option: Check Settings/Options menu—some games allow slot clearing.
3. External Storage (if supported): Copy save to memory card/USB, delete from system storage (rare on older consoles).
4. Format Disc (Disc-based only): Some PS2/GameCube/Wii games allow formatting the save partition on the disc—check manual.

Caution

Forcing deletion via unofficial tools can corrupt the disc/cartridge or console firmware. Research your specific title first (GameFAQs, Reddit).

Best practice: Just start a new file and ignore the old one.