Create a New Super Mario Odyssey Save Without Deleting Old Data
Yes. Super Mario Odyssey lets you create a separate save file without deleting your existing progress: from the game’s title screen, choose a vacant save slot and start a new game. Do not select an occupied slot if you want to keep that file unchanged.
How separate save files work
The game’s save-selection screen keeps progress in individual slots. Starting a new game in an empty slot creates another file; it does not overwrite the other occupied slots. This is useful if you want to replay the adventure from the beginning, let someone else play, or keep a fresh run alongside a completed one.
Be aware that a save file is distinct from a Nintendo Switch user profile. The game’s file-selection screen is where you choose the adventure’s save slot. Creating another Switch user is a separate console-level option and is not necessary just to use an empty in-game slot.
Steps to start a new game safely
- Launch Super Mario Odyssey and continue to its title screen.
- Choose the option to begin the game or proceed to the save-file selection screen.
- Look at the available slots. Identify one that is vacant rather than one showing existing progress.
- Select the vacant slot and confirm starting a new game when prompted.
- When you next play, return to the selection screen and choose the file you intend to continue.
Menu wording and button prompts can vary by screen or language, so follow the on-screen instructions. The important safeguard is the slot: check that it is empty before confirming. If every slot is occupied, do not erase one just to make room unless you have decided that its progress is expendable.
What happens to the old progress?
Starting a new game in an unused slot leaves the progress in other slots available. You can switch between files from the game’s save-selection screen. A new run begins at the start of the adventure, while the old file retains its own game progress.
That does not mean every console-wide feature is necessarily isolated by save slot. For example, controller settings, software behavior, and the Switch user currently playing are not the same thing as the in-game adventure file. If another person needs a separate console identity, consider whether a separate Switch user is appropriate; for simply starting a second Odyssey adventure, an empty save slot is the direct option.
If there is no empty slot
If the selection screen has no vacant slot, the game cannot place another independent file in an empty space. Your choices are to keep using the existing files, decide whether an occupied file can be deleted, or look into another play arrangement. Do not assume that starting a new game will automatically create extra capacity or preserve a file you choose to replace.
Before removing anything, verify which file contains the progress you care about. If you are unsure, back out rather than confirming a deletion or overwrite. A screenshot of the file list can help you remember which slot to select later, but it is not a backup of the save itself.
Save slots, Switch users, and backup misconceptions
These options solve different problems:
- Another in-game slot: A separate Odyssey adventure within the game’s save selection. This is normally the simplest way to begin again while retaining a different file.
- Another Switch user: A separate console user profile. It can be useful when different players want distinct user identities, but it is not the same action as selecting an empty game slot.
- Save-data backup: A way to protect supported save data using the console’s available save-data management and backup features. Availability and behavior depend on the game and Nintendo Switch services; do not treat a backup as extra in-game slots.
Cloud backup is not a substitute for checking the correct slot, and it should not be assumed to provide a way to merge or freely copy game saves. If you plan to rely on a backup, check the console’s current save-data settings and the game’s support information first.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Selecting the wrong occupied file: Read the file list carefully before confirming a new game or any delete/overwrite prompt.
- Expecting a new Switch user to be an extra in-game slot: Users and game files are separate layers. Check the Odyssey file screen for the actual save you intend to use.
- Assuming progress can be merged: Separate files are separate adventures; do not expect items or progress from one to transfer automatically to another.
- Quitting before a save completes: Let the game finish saving before closing the software or powering off the console, especially after progress that you want to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start over in Super Mario Odyssey without deleting my save?
Yes. Start a new game in a vacant save slot. Leave the occupied slot containing your old progress alone.
Does starting a new game overwrite my current file?
It depends on the slot you select. An empty slot creates a separate file; choosing an occupied slot or confirming a replacement can put that file’s progress at risk.
Can two people have separate progress?
Use separate in-game slots if the goal is to keep distinct Odyssey adventures. A separate Switch user may also be useful for separate console identities, but it is not required simply to start another file.
What if all the save slots are full?
You will need to keep the existing files or decide whether one can be removed. Check carefully before confirming deletion or replacement; do not expect the game to add an unlimited number of slots.
Can I switch back to my old save later?
Yes. Return to the save-selection screen and select the slot containing that progress. Take care to choose the right file each time you continue.
Will a cloud backup make another save slot?
No. Backup features and in-game slots serve different purposes. A backup may help protect supported data, but it does not add a vacant slot to the game.
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