History Main / OldSaveBonus

The ability to [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin use old save data]] (or in rare cases, use of the physical game) from an old game in a new game (often a direct sequel, though unrelated examples aren't unheard of) [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin for a bonus]]. Mostly, this means a tiny change (such as an acknowledgment of your accomplishments in the first game), or an item that may or may not be useful, but in some [=RPGs=] (the main originators of this) it is possible to import the character from the last game, levels intact, to start the new one (the monsters would sometimes be scaled up, of course).

Sometimes, this is a way of avoiding the BagOfSpilling problem. MissionPackSequel games are especially prone to using this, as the sequel is usually built on the same basic code as the previous entry, so it's easy to port over content.

Related is the specific bonuses achieved from linking a handheld with a specific game to a console with another. This began with the Platform/Nintendo64 title ''Pokémon Stadium'', which has a special adapter for importing Platform/GameBoy save data. The Platform/GameBoyAdvance system has a link cable for connecting to the Platform/NintendoGameCube, the Platform/NintendoDS uses its Slot-2 to connect to GBA games and can connect wirelessly to the Platform/{{Wii}}, and the Platform/PlayStationPortable uses a USB cable to connect to the Platform/PlayStation2. However, this can quickly enter OneGameForThePriceOfTwo territory if you ''need'' both to have a fulfilling experience.

On one hand, this is a fun way to reward players who have played previous games. On the other hand, this can be frustrating to those who don't have the time or money to invest in another game.

Compare to; NewGamePlus and AnotherSideAnotherStory which reward you for playing the ''same'' game again after completing it once; OneGameForThePriceOfTwo, when both games are related to each other and released at the same time; PlayerDataSharing, when it's data from another player's save rather than your own from another game; and DemoBonus, which awards a bonus for playing a demo of the game.

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' is famous for this on a level above and beyond most other games: the entire trilogy is treated as a single saga, with a large focus on player choices affecting the story. Thus, the showcase feature is that your choices are remembered in your save files, and a completed save from one game can be imported into the sequel, affecting the story and game world. This can range from small details like radio ads to whether major characters are alive or not, which compound over the course of the trilogy (this is also used for choices with results in the same game, too!). The brilliant part is that ''every'' decision you make is tracked in your save even if they're never brought up in one game or another, meaning any given decision you make ''might'' be important later after all. However since the trilogy is over and millions have played it back-to-front, the decisions that ''are'' reflected later have been well-documented by this point.[[note]]Well, at least until ''Mass Effect Next'' comes out...[[/note]]. And to top it off, ''Mass Effect 2'' and ''3'' also offer rewards for importing profiles from the previous entry, a more traditional application of this trope.

*** If Conrad Verner is still alive, a bug in the first game means that both the paragon and renegade flags are set for his scene, and ''Mass Effect 2'' reads the renegade flag first so assumes this is the path Shepard took (and this is {{Lampshaded}} by Conrad himself in the third game). There is however a GameMod which fixes this.
*** The paragon-exclusive mission to save a science group from some terrorists (with the best result being the terrorists dead but all the scientists alive) also doesn't set properly, so should the player listen to the news reports in the second game, it's implied that while the scenario did take place the scientists didn't survive and the company is going to be forced to close. This is fixed in the ''Legendary Edition''.

*** Plot choices are of course carried over as well, including the ''Mass Effect: Genesis'' interactive comic, the DLC-only characters Zaeed Massani and Kasumi Goto, and DLC missions which have direct influence on the world. Depending on which characters lived or died, certain sidequests will have different dialogue/cutscenes or will be permanently inaccessible. And again, starting ''3'' from scratch leads to certain assumed decisions: [[spoiler:apart from the defaults in ''1'' mentioned above, DLC squadmates are never recruited, virtually no loyalty missions are completed, Tali is exiled, and Grunt, Thane, Jack, Samara, Legion and virtually the entire Cerberus crew of the Normandy SR-2 are dead]].
*** Several items were originally only available through completing tie-in products. Playing and completing the demo of ''VideoGame/KingdomsOfAmalurReckoning'' and having it on your Origin Account would unlock the Reckoner-Knight Armor and Chakram Launcher weapon (though the latter was later included proper in the ''Omega'' DLC, and the original method stopped working once EA shut down ''Amalur'''s servers). Completing the demo for ''VideoGame/Battlefield3'' and importing it into the game also unlocked a special armor for multiplayer early, before its inclusion in the ''Retribution'' DLC pack.
*** The ''Citadel'' DLC carries over certain characters (like Wrex/Wreav), romance options and plot flags from the main game.
*** Probably the most obscure is the special Intel Bonus for +10 Weapon / Power damage, which is unlocked by [[spoiler:importing a save from ''2'' where Kelly Chambers is alive, you bought the Prejek Paddlefish and kept it alive until the end of the game, imported that save into ''3'', then finished ''3'' with that save and ''then'' starting NewGamePlus with it]]. There is no hint whatsoever that this exists until you actually unlock.

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' is famous for this on a level above and beyond most other games: the entire trilogy is treated as a single saga, with a large focus on player choices affecting the story. Thus, the showcase feature is that your choices are remembered in your save files, and a completed save from one game can be imported into the sequel, affecting the story and game world. This can range from small details like radio ads to whether major characters are alive or not, which compound over the course of the trilogy (this is also used for choices with results in the same game, too!). The brilliant part is that ''every'' decision you make is tracked in your save even if they're never brought up in one game or another, meaning any given decision you make ''might'' be important later after all. However since the trilogy is over and millions have played it back-to-front, the decisions that ''are'' reflected later have been well-documented by this point.[[note]]Well, at least until ''Mass Effect Next'' comes out...[[/note]]. If you ''don't'' import an old save and start a sequel fresh, the game will assume you picked the worst options in the preceding games, meaning importing a previous save is the only way to get the positive choices remembered. More traditionally, ''Mass Effect 2'' and ''3'' offer rewards for importing profiles with good progress:
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', having Level 50+ or Level 60 Shepard imported from ''Mass Effect 1'' will start the game off with more XP (up to 4,000), bonus money (up to 50,000) and resources (up to 10,000 of each), and slightly filled Paragorn and/or Renegade bars. Getting the Rich achievement for holding 1,000,000 credits in your wallet at once will also gift 100,000 credits when imported to [=ME2=]. Every import also preserves the decisions made in the first game, the biggest of which being whether or not you saved/killed [[spoiler:the Rachni Queen, the Council and/or Wrex]], the [[spoiler:Virmire survivor]], etc.
** Notably, ''not'' importing a [=ME1=] save will give you the worst possible start in [=ME2=] (a Shepard that is assumed to have taken all Renegade options and [[spoiler:killed the Council/Wrex/the Rachni Queen]]), and certain conversations will be different and assume the player is unfamiliar with the lore and world. ''Mass Effect 2'' also has a DLC interactive catchup comic that lets players make the six most important choices from the first game... and nothing else. As well, there are exactly three decisions a player can take in the first game that don't carry over properly into the second:

** If the ''Mass Effect: Galaxy'' mobile game is completed and its save data imported into ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', additional dialogue options will be available if both Jacob and Miranda are in the party during the Omega: Packages for Ish sidequest.
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', upgrading the Normandy, holding a lot of material resources, and completing the [=DLCs=] will boost two of your War Assets. Your level is also carried over so that Shepard starts ''3'' at the same level they ended ''2'' at (helpful since ''3'' has doubled the level cap)[[note]]A handy trick is to reset your Ability Points so that none of them are distributed to Shepard's Powers, letting you customize them yourself in ''3''[[/note]]. As before your decisions from the previous two games are carried over, including actions in ''1'' that were never referenced in ''2''. The DLC catchup comic also returns and is expanded to cover the events of ''2'', although as before this is rather limited and it's impossible to get anywhere close to the positive outcomes possible by using the comic compared to just playing the first two games outright.

* So, every decision you make is remembered in your save files. A completed save from one game can be imported into the sequel, and any of your choices could be checked (even if a choice was made two games ago), impacting the story in ways big and small.

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': The original trilogy is a serial game. You can keep all your level, money, and the character you previously created. However, the decision you made in the previous game will have a major impact in the next game, so you need to consider your choices wisely.

** The ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'' sequel ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]'' rewards players of the previous game with any of the five returning weapons[[note]]The Bomb Glove, Tesla Claw, Walloper, Visibomb Gun, and Decoy Glove[[/note]] being sold for free at the Gadgetron vendor on Barlow if you bought them in the first game.
** The third game, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal Up Your Arsenal]]'', does it for the two previous games separately, with 10% price discounts on returning Gadgetron weapons if you have a ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 Ratchet & Clank]]'' save from after the Hoverboard race on Kalebo III[[note]]This is because in the first game, Ratchet got an employee discount that would kick in after two years, [[ContinuityNod which is when]] ''[[ContinuityNod Up Your Arsenal]]'' [[ContinuityNod was released]][[/note]], and Ratchet's HalfDressedCartoonAnimal outfit from the first game as a skin if you have any save from that title. And if you had bought any of the five returning ''Going Commando'' weapons[[note]]The Bouncer, Plasma Coil, Shield Charger, Lava Gun, and the Miniturret Glove[[/note]], they'll be free of charge from Slim Cognito on Aquatos.
** The ''Future'' StoryArc does it too: while ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureQuestForBooty Quest for Booty]]'' doesn't reward a ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'' save, ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime A Crack in Time]]'' gives bonuses for both predecessors. A ''Tools of Destruction'' save gets you a discount on returning weapons[[note]]The Buzz Blades, Mag-Net Launcher, Mr. Zurkon, and the Groovitron Glove[[/note]], and a ''Quest for Booty'' save earns you a skin that adds [[DressedToPlunder a pirate hat and eyepatch]] to Ratchet's normal armour.

* The showcase feature of the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' Trilogy is the ability to transfer saves from one game to the next, with details in the story and game world changing in response to certain actions. This can range from small details like radio ads to whether major characters are alive or not, which compound over the course of the trilogy (this is also used for choices with results in the same game, too!). The brilliant part is that ''every'' decision you make is tracked in your save even if they're never brought up in one game or another, meaning any given decision you make ''might'' be important later after all. However since the trilogy is over and millions have played it back-to-front, the decisions that ''are'' reflected later have been well-documented by this point.[[note]]Well, at least until ''Mass Effect Next'' comes out...[[/note]]
** Importing a save from ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' to ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' will give the player an experience point, money and resource bonus for ''2'' depending on what level they finished the first game at. The player will also recieve a ''lot'' of money if the player has completed a certain achievement in the first game. It also preserves all the decisions made in the first game, the biggest of which being whether or not you saved/killed [[spoiler:the Rachni Queen, the Council and/or Wrex]], the [[spoiler:Virmire survivor]], etc. Notably, ''not'' doing this will give you the worst possible start (a Shepard that is assumed to have taken all Renegade options and [[spoiler:killed the Council/Wrex/the Rachni Queen]]), and certain conversations will be different and assume the player is unfamiliar with the lore and world. ''Mass Effect 2'' also has a DLC interactive catchup comic that lets players make the six most important choices from the first game... and nothing else. As well, there are exactly three decisions a player can take in the first game that don't carry over properly into the second:

*** At the end of the first game, the player can choose [[spoiler:either Udina or Anderson to represent humanity on the Council.]] Due to a design oversight, this decision doesn't happen until ''after'' the importable save file is generated, so the player has to be asked again at the beginning of ''Mass Effect 2''. This is also changed in the ''Legendary Edition'', adding an extra save point after the decision and removing the subsequent question in the second game.

** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' offers a similar import to ''Mass Effect 2'': your level is carried over, meaning you can start the game as high as Level 30, halfway to ''3'''s doubled level cap of 60. As before your decisions from the previous two games are carried over, including actions in ''1'' that were never referenced in ''2''. The DLC catchup comic also returns and is expanded to cover the events of ''2'', although as before this is rather limited and it's impossible to get anywhere close to the positive outcomes possible by using the comic compared to just playing the first two games outright.

*** There is a special Intel Bonus that is unlocked by [[spoiler:importing a save from ''2'' where Kelly Chambers is alive and you bought the Prejak Paddlefish, completing that save for ''3'', then importing ''that'' save ''again''.]] There is no hint whatsoever that this exists until you actually unlock it.

** In ''{{VideoGame/Sonic|TheHedgehog}} [[CompilationRerelease Mega Collection]]'', you will immediately unlock ''VideoGame/{{Flicky}}'' or ''VideoGame/BlueSphere'' upon start-up if you have a ''Sonic Adventure 2 Battle'' or ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' file (respectively) on your memory card.

* The 2009 ''VideoGame/BionicCommando'' game has an unlockable "retro" skin for players who own both ''VideoGame/BionicCommando'' and ''Rearmed'' on the same system, in addition to [[DevelopersRoom a secret room]] in ''VideoGame/BionicCommando'' for players who have beaten ''Rearmed'' [[HundredPercentCompletion 100%]].

* The Switch remakes of the ''VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClub'' duology read each others' save data to carry over [[HelloInsertNameHere the name you gave the protagonist]].

* ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'': Save data for ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'' can be transferred to this game. Doing so will give the player three Gold Sheldon Licenses to unlock any main weapon irrespective of their level; immediate access to the ranked modes (starting at Rank B- instead of C- if they reached or surpassed that rank in ''2'') and matchmaking to players of similar skill level; give Captain (aka [[PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo the original Agent 3]]) their appearance from ''Octo Expansion'' if they'd played that campaign; and a truncated version of the [[PlayerVersusEnvironment Salmon Run]] tutorial if they'd played that mode, with Mr. Grizz acknowledging you as a returning employee. In addition, if the player has any Toys/{{amiibo}} that they used in ''Splatoon 2'', then using them in ''Splatoon 3'' automatically unlocks all of their related gear.

* ''VideoGame/GoldenSunTheLostAge'' gives players golden equipment if they send clear data from [[VideoGame/GoldenSun1 the first game]][[note]]This required either linking two [[Platform/GameBoyAdvance GBAs]] with a link cable, or entering a '''HUGE''' pass-code obtained after beating the first game[[/note]] to ''The Lost Age'' if the player triggers certain events from the first game. Finding out through an NPC that the thieves from Vault escaped will appear in the second game and fight your party. A girl from one of the towns from the first game appears halfway through the second game to give [[spoiler:Isaac]] a gift for helping her friend. The warriors from the Colosso appears late in the sequel once [[spoiler:Isaac and his party]] joins your party and they fight you, accusing [[spoiler:Isaac]] of cheating when they fought him. Also, getting into the final BonusDungeon requires you to find all the [[{{Mons}} Djinns]] - in both games.

* ''VideoGame/TheCrewMotorfest'' allows you to import most of your vehicles, vanities, and liveries from ''VideoGame/TheCrew2'' at the beginning of the game. If this is declined for starting from a fresh slate instead, you can chose to import their content later. Not all cars can be transferred though.

* ''The Crew Motorfest'' allows you to import most of your vehicles, vanities, and liveries from ''VideoGame/TheCrew2'' at the beginning of the game. If this is declined for starting from a fresh slate instead, you can chose to import their content later. Not all cars can be transferred though.

* If you have a saved file of ''VideoGame/SakuraWars 1'' on your [=PS2=] memory card, it will allow you to unlock otherwise un-playable levels and secrets when you play ''Sakura Wars 3'' and ''[[VideoGame/SakuraWarsSoLongMyLove Sakura Wars V]]: Episode 0'' with the same memory card. The Dreamcast version of ''Sakura Wars 3'' also opens up new dialogue options if you have a save from the first two games.

* If you ever logged in ''VideoGame/RuneScape Classic'', you'd unlock a speical "Classic Cape" to wear in the modern game.

Related is the specific bonuses achieved from linking a handheld with a specific game to a console with another. This began with the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 title ''Pokémon Stadium'', which has a special adapter for importing UsefulNotes/GameBoy save data. The UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance system has a link cable for connecting to the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube, the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS uses its Slot-2 to connect to GBA games and can connect wirelessly to the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and the UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable uses a USB cable to connect to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2. However, this can quickly enter OneGameForThePriceOfTwo territory if you ''need'' both to have a fulfilling experience.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Oracle of Ages]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Oracle of Seasons]]'' are meant to be played one after the other (in either order). Data is transferred between the games by a generated password allowing you to fight Twinrova and rescue Zelda in the second game. There are also dozens of passwords you can get from [=NPCs=] to perform multi-game sidequests, unlocking Bombchus, special rings, the Master Sword, Biggoron's Sword, and arrow/bomb capacity upgrades. You can also get a new code to port it all BACK to your old game, letting you play through the ending AGAIN with few if any additions- or you can use it to start from the beginning on the current game and play through both in the ''opposite'' order. And if you play either game on a UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance, there is a door in one of the towns (Horon Village and Lynna Village, respectively) that's just a closed door if you play it on a UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor, but will be open in this case. If you enter, you are greeted by a man telling you that you are in something called an "Advance shop". One of the things for sale is a ring. If you get it appraised, the guy appraising it will tell you that it's a ring proving that you have a Game Boy Advance.

* ''VideoGame/ShantaeRiskysRevenge'': If you visit a certain store in Scuttle Town and you have a ''VideoGame/MightyFlipChamps'' and/or ''VideoGame/MightyMilkyWay'' save on your UsefulNotes/NintendoDSi or [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS 3DS]][[note]](all three games are developed by Creator/WayForwardTechnologies)[[/note]], you'll earn some gems. Completing the games in question results in additional gems on top of those earned by merely owning the games.

* Several of {{Creator/Konami}}'s games for the {{UsefulNotes/MSX}}, when played with another Konami game in the second cartridge slot, can gain various bonuses. To list a few examples ([[http://bifi.msxnet.org/msxnet/konami/combinations.html see here]] for a full list):

* ''VideoGame/Persona5Strikers'' features a bonus that unlocks the original Last Surprise and Take Over. The track is unlocked on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version with [[VideoGame/Persona5 the original game or its enhanced rerelease]], while the Switch version will search for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' regardless of whether one has purchased the Joker DLC for that game or not. On Steam, where it is the first ''Persona 5'' game released, it's instead a post-game and NewGamePlus bonus.

* Save data from ''VideoGame/Yakuza1'' will allow you to start ''VideoGame/Yakuza2'' with a collection of goodies in your item storage box, none of which you can acquire in any other way. They're presumed to be gifts from Haruka, the little girl you spend most of the first game protecting, and they include some pretty nice equipment and powerful healing items. Similarly, the [=PlayStation=] 3 games (starting with ''VideoGame/Yakuza3'') all give bonuses if you have save data from any of the previous UsefulNotes/Playstation3 game, each game providing a different bonus. Starting with ''[[VideoGame/YakuzaKiwami Kiwami]]'' and its release on [=PS4=], if there is save data detected on the system, consumable items will be provided to the player.

* This is the main selling point of ''VideoGame/PokerNightAtTheInventory'' and [[VideoGame/PokerNight2 its sequel]]. Getting bounty items will unlock items for ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' and (in ''Poker Night 2'') ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}''. The iOS port doesn't do this however. And in the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 version of the sequel, the player can also unlock items for their avatar.

** In ''Sonic Mega Collection Plus'', having a ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' save file will unlock ''VideoGame/TheOoze'' and ''VideoGame/ComixZone'' (at least in the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 version).
** In ''Sonic Gems Collection'', you can unlock ''VideoGame/{{Vectorman}}'' by having a ''Sonic Heroes'' or ''Sonic Mega Collection'' on the [=GameCube=] version, or ''Sonic Heroes'' or ''Sonic Mega Collection Plus '' on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 version.

* ''VideoGame/GoldenSunTheLostAge'' gives players golden equipment if they send clear data from [[VideoGame/GoldenSun1 the first game]][[note]]This required either linking two [[UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance GBAs]] with a link cable, or entering a '''HUGE''' pass-code obtained after beating the first game[[/note]] to ''The Lost Age'' if the player triggers certain events from the first game. Finding out through an NPC that the thieves from Vault escaped will appear in the second game and fight your party. A girl from one of the towns from the first game appears halfway through the second game to give [[spoiler:Isaac]] a gift for helping her friend. The warriors from the Colosso appears late in the sequel once [[spoiler:Isaac and his party]] joins your party and they fight you, accusing [[spoiler:Isaac]] of cheating when they fought him. Also, getting into the final BonusDungeon requires you to find all the [[{{Mons}} Djinns]] - in both games.

** ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' allows you to transfer Pokémon from your UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance games to the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS games at the Pal Park after getting the National Pokédex. Transferring in Regirock, Regice, and Registeel from ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' is the only way to encounter Regigigas. Also, having different cartridges in the second slot will make new monsters appear in the wild (specifically, version-exclusive Pokémon for the four paired games and Generation II Pokémon in ''Emerald''). [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo Naturally]], this is the only way to obtain several Pokémon in D/P. ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver HeartGold and SoulSilver]]'' have the same function.

** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' introduced the cloud service-based Pokémon Bank as a companion app, which allowed for Pokémon to be stored and retrieved from all the sixth-generation and, later, seventh-generation games. A free Poké Transporter app is provided in-app to help you bring forward Pokémon from the fifth generation. And yes, this means you can [[ExaggeratedTrope transfer a Pokémon from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/FireRed/LeafGreen to Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/HeartGold/SoulSilver, from there to Black/White/Black 2/White 2, and finally to X, Y, Omega Ruby, or Alpha Sapphire]]. If you use all these transfer methods to bring a Pokémon from the original Hoenn games all the way to their remakes, you can get a special certificate for your Secret Base. The Transporter is also compatible with the 3DS UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole releases of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Red, Blue, Yellow]]'', ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold, Silver, and Crystal]]'' versions, meaning Pokémon obtained in those games can be transferred to ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' and later games in the series. However, even with the Bank, Pokémon still can't be transferred back to older games- any Pokémon that has been saved into a file of a seventh-generation game becomes inaccessible to the sixth generation.

** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl]]'' have two [=NPCs=] in Floaroma Town who will give you a Mew if you have save data from ''Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'' or a Jirachi if you have save data from ''Sword and Shield''. As of March 2022, having a ''VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus'' save that the main story has been completed on rewards the Azure Flute needed to battle and capture Arceus. And like in ''Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire'', showing a Pokémon from the original UsefulNotes/NintendoDS Sinnoh games to the Game Director at Hotel Grand Lake grants you a certificate.

* A ''VideoGame/PerfectDark Zero'' save automatically unlocks four cheats on the UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade version of ''Perfect Dark'' -- the same four cheats that can also be gained through a Transfer Pack and the UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor ''Perfect Dark'' game on the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 version.

* Putting a Sega game in the GBA slot while playing ''VideoGame/FeelTheMagic XY/XX'' on UsefulNotes/NintendoDS unlocked special hats for the girl. The same items can be unlocked without the GBA games, but it takes a lot longer.
* ''VideoGame/WarioWareTouched'': Placing a ''VideoGame/WarioWareTwisted'' cartridge in the GBA slot of your UsefulNotes/NintendoDS while playing ''Touched!'' will unlock the Mona Pizza music video. North American gamers probably didn't know about this EasterEgg at first, because ''Touched!'' was released before ''Twisted!'' in the States (in Japan, the reverse is true). This doesn't work in Europe, because ''Twisted!'' wasn't released there, and due to region lockout it's not possible to use a foreign copy. In Korea, where ''Twisted'' wasn't released either, the video is instead unlocked using ''VideoGame/WarioWareIncMegaMicrogames''

* "Stop 'n' Swop" in ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' and ''VideoGame/BanjoTooie'' was meant to be a rare cartridge-based form of this, whereby you could swap the two games over during play, taking items from one game to another to unlock secret bonuses. Changes to the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 prevented the idea from being fully realized until the UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade remakes, where Stop 'n' Swop also unlocks additional content in ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooieNutsAndBolts''. Doing Stop 'n' Swop between the UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade versions of ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Banjo-Tooie'' will give you three new bonuses in ''Tooie'' on top of the original four: a gamerpic, a Banjo-Kazooie theme, and Stop 'n' Swop ''II'', which apparently involves three new eggs.

* Putting one of the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' games into the GBA slot when playing the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS game ''Kimmunicator'' would unlock one of three bonus outfits for the title character, one for each title.

* Rockstar Games made two games for the launch of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2: ''Smuggler's Run'' and ''VideoGame/MidnightClub''. Players who have a save file from ''Smuggler's Run'' on their memory card get to drive the Baja Buggy from that game in ''Midnight Club'', but only in free roam mode. ''Midnight Club 3: Remix'' also included a variation of this trope; by starting the game with a save file from the old, 'original' version, an option is provided to the player which transfers their entire progress on to the new version.
* ''Videogame/BurnoutRevenge'' rewards ''VideoGame/Burnout3Takedown'' players with a borderline GameBreaker - the second most powerful crash car in the game unlocked right at the start. And if you have a ''VideoGame/MaddenNFL 06'' save game on your memory card, a special Madden van will be unlocked when you start up ''Burnout Revenge'' on UsefulNotes/PlayStation2.

* In ''VideoGame/JakX'', if you have a save from ''[[VideoGame/JakAndDaxterThePrecursorLegacy Jak 1]]'', ''[[VideoGame/JakIIRenegade II]]'' or ''[[VideoGame/Jak3 3]]'', you'll unlock that game's version of Jak as a racer, and the Sandshark from the third game too! As well you can hook up a PSP via USB and unlock the main cast of ''{{VideoGame/Daxter}}'' as racers. This was retained in the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 version as all four [=PS2=] titles were ported, although the ''Daxter'' skins unlock automatically.[[note]]And while not ''exactly'' this trope, the Ratchet character that was previously unlocked with a ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' save [[DevelopersForesight now unlocks with a save from the]] [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 PS4 Ratchet game]].[[/note]]

** If you own a copy of the game and its sequel on the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 or UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, you can import nearly every song from the first game and play it on the second one at little cost. The same goes for the third and fourth games; in essence, each new title inherits the tracks and DLC packs from its predecessors.

* In the UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade version of ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'', having at least one achievement from ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'' unlocks Ikaruga Mode, which uses the chain combo system from that game.

** ''Doubutsu no Mori e+'' would later offer a similar system as the Data Moving Service, in which players could copy their characters from ''+'' into the newer game, along with their name, birthdate, encyclopedia information, personal patterns, and catalog information. Admittedly, the feature considerably less comprehensive than the Data Moving Service but still useful, plus the player can import the data themselves this time (thanks to ''+'' and ''e+'' being released on [[UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube the same console]]) and doesn't have to worry about sending anything over to Nintendo.

** amiibo save data from ''Happy Home Designer'' on UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS can be transferred to ''amiibo Festival'' on UsefulNotes/WiiU.

* If you have a ''VideoGame/Disgaea3'' save on your UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 when you play ''VideoGame/Disgaea4'', you'll unlock a few Cam-Pain symbols ahead of time. If you perform this with their respective UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita releases, you'll instead unlock Stella and Rutile in the latter game.

* Having ''[[VideoGame/NintendoWars Advance Wars]]'' 1 or 2 in the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS and starting ''Advance Wars: Dual Strike'' unlocks certain items to be purchased in-game.
* One of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 ''VideoGame/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdomsKoei'' games unlocks a couple of bonus characters such as the two Qiaos if one has specific ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' and ''VideoGame/DynastyTactics'' save data on your memory card.

* ''VideoGame/FableII'' has a little quirk which means that in order to achieve HundredPercentCompletion on it, you also have to buy the UsefulNotes/XboxLiveArcade game ''Fable II Pub Games'', which basically uss a relatively obscure gameplay mechanic of ''Fable II'' to give the player otherwise unobtainable items which are then transferable to the main game. They later released the DLC "See The Future" which allows players to obtain the items via an in-game store tacked on with the DLC. [[VideoGame/FableIII The third game]] refers to the second's protagonist as either King or Queen of Bowerstone based on your choice in ''Fable II''. Dialogue that would reference major story choices was planned, but ultimately not implemented.

* The UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast version of ''VideoGame/{{Shenmue}} II'' allows players to transfer collected items over from the first game. Unfortunately, the American version was never released, so the few U.S. gamers who imported the European version could only exploit this feature by hacking the ''Shenmue I'' save file to add the flags indicating it is a European save file (though the game does play fair by giving Ryo a few collections by default to sell for cash).

* The [=StreetPass=] function of the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS creates a few of these thanks to how Miis are collected in ''VideoGame/StreetPassMiiPlaza''. For example, playing ''VideoGame/MarioKart 7'' online will collect a number of Miis, which will then appear in ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand'' to give you items.

* The UsefulNotes/WiiU includes a built-in Wii Menu, with a Wii Shop Channel within which the Virtual Console games released for the Wii can be purchased. If you get a VC game in the Wii menu by either buying it or transferring it from the Wii, you get a discount (having to pay only $1 for NES games or $1.50 for SNES games) on the Wii U version, allowing you to pay only for the new features.
* After upgrading to another version of UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (starting with Vista), the system will drop a "Windows.old" folder in the root of the hard drive. This folder contains files from the older operating system that weren't overwritten or removed during installation. If you rummage around the folder a bit, you'll find your previous version's pre-installed wallpapers, sounds, and cursors, among other things.

* Save data from ''Videogame/{{Yakuza}}'' will allow you to start ''Yakuza 2'' with a collection of goodies in your item storage box, none of which you can acquire in any other way. They're presumed to be gifts from Haruka, the little girl you spend most of the first game protecting, and they include some pretty nice equipment and powerful healing items. Similarly, the [=PlayStation=] 3 games (starting with Yakuza 3) all give bonuses if you have save data from any of the previous UsefulNotes/Playstation3 game, each game providing a different bonus. The [=PlayStation=] 4 titles also offer old save bonuses, starting with ''Kiwami''.

* ''VideoGame/FZero GX'' actually allows the sharing of data between itself and the UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame ''F-Zero AX''. As AX machines are hard to find in the US (at the height of their popularity there were a grand total of 20 of them available to the English-speaking world) and few people read the back of the box, hardly anyone ever noticed. The AX version does contain a semi-exclusive cup, which can be unlocked in GX if you beat the courses in AX with a GC memory card inserted to the machine; but because of the rarity of the AX machines, the only way to unlock this AX cup that most players have access to is to beat every cup on [[NintendoHard Master difficulty]]. This becomes slightly less hard to do when it was discovered that ''AX'' is actually contained ''within'' ''GX''!

* ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed: [[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted Most Wanted]]'' 2005 start you off with $30,000 to buy your first car, which basically means a choice of three out of the four initially unlocked cars. If you're playing this game on a system that also saw the release of ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUnderground 2'', if you have the save file for that game (all platforms) or at least installed it (PC), you get an extra $10,000 to start with, expanding your available starter choices to all four. This also applies to the successor with ''Most Wanted''.

* Equally minor example in ''VideoGame/PAYDAY3'' - via the [[https://www.paydaythegame.com/payday3/rewards/ Infamous Rewards]] system, owning ''VideoGame/PAYDAY2'' and finishing particular achievements would earn you cosmetics.

* In ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'', having save data for ''VideoGame/JustCause 2'' will unlock a Rico Rodriguez costume for Wei Shen, which is alternatively available as DLC; true to its inspiration, the costume makes it easier to hijack moving vehicles.

* In ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs'', having save data for ''VideoGame/JustCause 2'' will unlock a Rico Rodriguez costume for Wei Shen, which is alternatively available as DLC; true to its inspiration, the costume makes it easier to hijack moving vehicles.