Is my FireRed save file becoming corrupted only to work again something to be concerned over?

Question

Years ago while trading Pokémon between FireRed and XD, an error occurred during the process that resulted in my FireRed save file becoming corrupted. Despite this, I was still able to save the game and continue on like normal as if the corruption hadn’t even happened. A short while back long after I had already started a new game on both games and reached the point where I could trade between them again, the same event described above transpired.

According to my research, this Bulbapedia page on save data structure for generation lll provides some information on the intricacies of how saving the game works but I am still confused. If my reading comprehension is correct, the “File structure” and “Game save A, Game save B” sections explain that the GBA games basically have two save files; one for attempting to load the game and the other for the previous and most recent save. If the “attempt to load the game” file were to become corrupted, the “recent save” would serve as a backup thereby resolving the technical hiccup.

However, what worries me is the bullet point in the “File structure” section that states “If any checksum for the previous game save fails, the player will be forced to start a new game”. Does this mean that if the trade error were to happen again that all my progress would be gone for good since I’ve already used up the “attempt to load the game” file which is essentially a meat shield? Should I just start over on FireRed so that I can get my two chances back? Or do the two files infinitely replace each other, making this whole “only two chances” thing nothing more than me coming to the wrong conclusion? This issue has been a source of stress in the back of my mind and I would greatly appreciate some help on what to make of this. Please let me know if I need to clarify anything further. Thank you.

Answer 1

Gen 3 maintains two save blocks; one for the most recent save, and another for the save prior to that (which acts as a backup). The only time you will lose all your progress and be forced to restart the game is if both saves give a non-matching checksum, i.e. both saves are corrupt.

There is no such thing as a meat shield or a special structure for an "attempt to load the game". There is just a primary save file and a backup save file for when the primary save fails. If both of those fail, then you have to restart. If only the recent save fails, then the game can use the backup.

The game doesn't hold onto corrupt save files; it just writes over them the next time you save. So there is no such thing as spending chances, because corrupt data does not persistently occupy either of the two save blocks.

So, to respond to each question:

Is my FireRed save file becoming corrupted only to work again something to be concerned over?

Not in your case, as the problem seems restricted to XD writing save data incorrectly.

Does this mean that if the trade error were to happen again that all my progress would be gone for good since I’ve already used up the “attempt to load the game” file which is essentially a meat shield?

No

Should I just start over on FireRed so that I can get my two chances back?

No

Or do the two files infinitely replace each other, making this whole “only two chances” thing nothing more than me coming to the wrong conclusion?

Yes to all.