Save States¶
A save state is a snapshot of the whole game at one moment. They're separate from the game's own saves, which are called battery saves and are kept in Saves/.
Making and loading states¶
| Button | Does |
|---|---|
| SELECT + R1 | Save a state |
| SELECT + L1 | Load the most recent state |
| Double tap MENU | Open the switcher |
Each game keeps up to 10 states. Saving an 11th throws out the oldest.
The switcher¶
Double tap MENU in game, or pick States from the in-game menu. Your states are laid out like a stack of polaroids from newest to oldest.
| Button | Does |
|---|---|
| Left / Right | Flick through the states |
| A | Load the one on screen |
| Y | Delete the one on screen |
| X | Undo the last save or load |
| B | Back to the game |
Deleting a state requires confirmation. If you are sure press X to delete it. Note: once it's gone, it's gone.
Undo¶
Saved over a good moment? Loaded the wrong one? Open the menu and select Undo Load or Undo Save within 30 seconds.
- Undoing a save removes the state you just made, and brings back the one it pushed out if you were already at 10.
- Undoing a load puts the game back the way it was before you loaded.
The resume state¶
On top of your 10, slot keeps one more that you never see: the resume state. That's what a tap of A on the shelf loads.
slot writes it:
- every 5 minutes while you play
- when you close the lid or tap POWER
- when you power off
- when you eject, if the Save State on Eject setting is on
- when the battery hits 5% and slot powers off to protect your saves
There are two options in Settings → Gameplay that control this:
- Load State on Insert decides whether putting a cart in loads it. Off means every cart starts fresh including when powering on.
- Save State on Eject decides whether ejecting writes it.
States and cores¶
States are tied to the emulator that made them. Switch a GBA game from mGBA to gpSP and you will have no save states. Switch back and they're all still there.
States live in States/. See Storage Reference.