Erase Data

Erase Data, previously known as Backup Clear in Super Smash Bros., is an option in the first three installments of the Super Smash Bros. series. It allows the player to erase any specific data in the game, such as high scores, trophies, unlockable characters, and unlockable stages. In all three appearances, the option to erase singular categories of data is available, alongside an "Erase All" ("ALL Data Clear" in Smash 64) option.

If the player chooses to erase all data, there is no way to recover it when erased. As such, Super Smash Bros. Melee advises players to create a copy of the data onto a separate memory card. However, that is only possible in Melee alongside the Virtual Console version of Smash 64 (which can have data copied to an SD card instead). But it can't be played on another Wii (as VC games are specific to each Wii). The Wii U Transfer Tool allows proper user accounts with the Wii U by letting the player transfer Wii data from a Wii to a Wii U. This is not possible in Smash 64 nor Brawl. In Smash 64, the game saves automatically to the Nintendo 64 cartridge while the game data in Brawl cannot be copied or transferred from one Wii to an SD Card without modding. However, a non-modded Wii does allow a Brawl save already on an SD card to be copied to the system memory.

Neither Super Smash Bros. 4 nor Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has an "Erase Data" option, making it impossible to selectively erase any specific data. In both versions of Smash 4, players can erase all data by holding , , , and (though in the Wii U version, it only works with the Wii U GamePad) on the startup and selecting "Yes" three times when prompted (just like in Brawl for "Erase All"). In Ultimate, the player can manually erase all data under the "Manage Save Data/Screenshots and Videos" option of the Data Management section in the Nintendo Switch's System Settings. Due to this, a such built-in application is not included.

Gallery

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  The Backup Clear option in Smash 64

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  The Erase Data menu in Melee

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  The Erase Data menu in Brawl

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  First prompt when erasing all data in Brawl

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  Second prompt

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  Final prompt

Trivia

• Brawl is the first installment in the series which does not have the "Erase Hidden Characters" and "Erase Hidden Stages" options.
  • As a special stipulation (in the game), due to the way unlockable characters appear in The Subspace Emissary, it is not possible to restart the unlockable characters and unlockable stages.
• When deleting all save data in Smash 64 and Melee, the player is asked twice to if they want to lose that data. In Melee, a siren plays on the first prompt, while an alarm on the second one. (The prompts are, "Erase?" and "Are you sure you want to lose that data? That means no more saved game!".) In Smash 64, both prompts are silent. In Brawl, the player is asked three times. (The prompts are, "Is it okay to erase this data" and "Are you sure you want to lose that data? That means no more saved game!".) The first prompt plays a siren, the second one plays a sped-up version of the siren, and the third and final plays an alarm similar to Melee's "challenger approaching" theme. (The prompts are, "Are you sure you want to lose this data? Erased data cannot be recovered!", "Absolutely sure? No erased data can be recovered!", and "REALLY?! You are going to lose it forever!".) Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U similarly present three prompts (like in Brawl for "Erase All"), but only have the siren and sped-up siren on the second and third prompts. (The prompts are, "Are you sure you want to lose this data?", "If you delete your save data, you lose all your game progress. Are you sure you want to lose it?", and "Are you sure, you're sure? Save data doesn't grow on trees, you know!".) While Ultimate doesn't contain the in-game application, the player can erase Adventure Mode: World of Light's save files and selecting "Yes" three times when prompted.
  • This is based on the three prompts shown when deleting a save file in Kirby games starting from Kirby Super Star, likely due to both games being directed by Masahiro Sakurai. Both cases use similar phrasing, in particular with the final warning which, in Japanese, reads「こうかいしませんね？」("You're sure you won't regret this?", "No regrets?", "Are you sure?", etc.) The Kirby series continues to use the three-warnings format in titles not directed by Masahiro Sakurai, such as Kirby's Return to Dream Land. Meteos and Kid Icarus Uprising, two other games directed by Masahiro Sakurai, also use the three-warnings format.
• In Smash 64, the sound effect that plays when erasing data is the same as Ness's PSI Magnet.