How to softreset in every Pokemon game its in?

Question

I know how to hard-reset but not soft-reset, I'm not all that sure if their that different. I know you hard reset by turning the console on then off again, and soft reset by pressing certain buttons. But what does that mean? What's the difference between soft and hard resetting? What's soft-resetting even for? How does it work? I would like to know for every Pokemon game/ console. I'll NEED to know this at one point or another, thanks so much!

Answer 1

Soft Resetting means pressing certain buttons to reload the game from the Startup screen. Hard Resetting is, as you said just turning it on and off.
>This practice is widely considered useful, as rebooting the game will modify hidden data values. The values that determine the shininess of an in-game event Pokémon is of particular interest here, as are the Pokémon's IVs and Natures. Soft resetting eliminates the need to constantly turn off (and on) the game when attempting to get a Pokémon with these specific qualities. Although time-consuming, it is a widely practiced method to get a desired Pokémon.

Button combinations for Soft resetting:
>GB/GBC/GBA games: Press and hold A, B, Start, and Select.
XD: Gale of Darkness: Press and hold B, X, and Start.
DS games: Press and hold L, R, Start, and Select.

Source-Sauce here

Comments

Copying my source puns. FOR SHAME YOU. x|

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I have nothing to be ashamed of :3 I have no dignity anyway

Answer 2

A soft reset is a way to go back to the last place you saved without
turn on and off you ds. to soft reset you have to press the L,R,
Start, and the Select buttons at the same time

Source

I think you can tell what the difference between hard-resetting and soft-resetting is ;)