It depends on how the game was obtained. A retail Nintendo 3DS game keeps its main progress on the Game Card itself. A downloaded 3DS game keeps its save data on the system’s SD card. Optional save-data backups are also written to the SD card, but only for titles the backup feature supports.
Retail Game Card software
Nintendo’s support answer on physical games states that game progress, such as completed levels and collected items, is saved to the Game Card. Some Game Cards also write SpotPass and StreetPass information to the SD card or system memory. Those files can therefore sit on the console even though the main save is on the card. (Nintendo Support: “Do Nintendo 3DS Games Save to the SD Card/microSD Card/System Memory?”)
The practical consequence is that the SD card is not the place to look for a retail game’s main progress. Its SpotPass or StreetPass data may be there, but that is a separate category.
Downloaded software
For software bought from the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo’s downloadable-software FAQ says the save data is stored on the console’s SD card. Nintendo Japan’s support answer also says downloadable software and its data reside on SD/microSD. (Nintendo Support: Downloadable Retail Software FAQ; Nintendo Support Japan: “Where are save data and additional content for Nintendo 3DS series software stored?”)
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Nintendo’s general U.S. support answer on the same SD/system-memory question describes downloaded-title save data as being in “system memory.” That wording conflicts with the FAQ and the Japanese answer, and Nintendo’s pages cited here do not reconcile the two. This article uses the SD-card answer because it is the more specific of the three and is the one Nintendo’s dedicated downloadable-software FAQ gives. If you have a downloaded game and want to confirm where its files are, the SD card is the location to check first.
Where each type of save data lives
| Data | Where it is stored | Covered by Save-Data Backup? |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Game Card main progress | Game Card | No. The feature excludes retail Nintendo 3DS software. |
| SpotPass or StreetPass data from some retail Game Cards | SD card or system memory | No. Retail software is excluded. |
| Downloaded Nintendo 3DS software and its save data | Console’s SD card (Nintendo’s FAQ and Japanese support answer; the U.S. general answer says system memory) | Yes, for downloadable Nintendo 3DS software |
| Save-data backups | Inserted SD card | Not applicable |
| Virtual Console save data | Not stated in the cited Nintendo pages | Yes, for most Virtual Console games |
Save-data backups
Nintendo’s Save-Data Backup feature covers downloadable Nintendo 3DS software and most Virtual Console games. It does not cover retail Nintendo 3DS software, DSiWare, or Game Boy Advance software. Nintendo says up to 30 backups can be created, and the backups are stored on the SD card inserted in the system: “Backups of save data are stored on the SD card inserted into your system.” (Nintendo Support: “How to Back Up Save Data on a Nintendo 3DS Family System”, undated page)
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Restoring is more restrictive. The backup and the software must be on the same SD card, and restoring overwrites the current save data on the system. Treat a restore as a replacement, not a merge. (Nintendo Support: “How to Restore Save Data”)
Deleting downloaded software
Deleting a downloaded title from the SD card also deletes its save data, unless a backup exists. Nintendo’s FAQ says the title can be downloaded again, but if the save was lost, the game has to be started from the beginning. (Downloadable Retail Software FAQ)
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Nintendo ended sales of 3DS and Wii U software and DLC through the Nintendo eShop on March 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. That date does not change where existing save data is stored. It does mean you should confirm that a title you already own is still available to download before deleting it, and back it up first if you can.
Copying an SD card versus moving to a new console
Copying the contents of an SD card is not the same as moving a game to another system. Nintendo’s card-transfer guidance gives these rules:
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- Do not swap cards between multiple systems.
- Copy the entire Nintendo 3DS folder, and do not alter or erase files inside it.
- Use a compatible SD/SDHC or microSD/microSDHC card. If your computer has no microSD slot, use an adapter.
- Copied content does not become usable on another system just because the files are there.
- For a console change, use Nintendo’s System Transfer process rather than moving the card.
(Nintendo Support: “How to Transfer Data Between SD Cards or microSD Cards”)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Save Data Transfer Tool: retail to downloadable
Nintendo’s Save Data Transfer Tool is a special case for moving a save from a retail game to its downloadable version. Nintendo describes this as a transfer rather than a copy, which means the source save is deleted. Some data may also require the same SD card to be kept in use. Read Nintendo’s instructions before running it, because the source save does not remain behind. (Nintendo Support: “How to Use the Save Data Transfer Tool”)
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Choosing an SD card
If you are replacing storage or following Nintendo’s card-transfer steps, you need a compatible card. Search for a “compatible 3DS SD card” or an “SD card for a New Nintendo 3DS,” and check the card’s compatibility before buying it. A reader whose existing card works does not need another. Nintendo’s instructions list the supported SD/SDHC and microSD/microSDHC formats.
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