Savefile Transfer Details

A feature used throughout the series where the game recognizes an old save from a previous installment and unlocks various features in the playthrough. While not the first game series to utilize such a function, it may be the most well known example.

Suikoden II[]

The first game to utilize the feature. The game confers up several bonuses for a Suikoden I file.

Note: the Suikoden I savefile must be at the last save point of the game (Gregminster Palace, before Barbarossa) or a Clear Game savefile (Suikoden I & II HD Remaster) in order to be recognized and transferred in Suikoden II.

Characters will get a level bonus for every returning character from Suikoden I. The bonus is based on every ten levels over Lv. 60 the character was in Suikoden I's save file.
Weapon Levels are also altered based on the old save with returning characters gaining higher starting weapons levels if their old save counterparts have weapon levels between 12-16.
Tir and Humphrey can transfer some equipment between games. Tir can transfer most of his armor and some of his headgear, Humphrey can transfer the Windspun Armor if it was given to him.
Runes were also meant to transfer but a glitch prevents this from working.
If the old save contains data of collecting all 108 Stars of Destiny, then Gremio will appear in the game alive and traveling with Tir, this also nets the player Recipe #39 which is for Gremio's signature Special Stew.
The player's name for McDohl, barring the name glitch (PSX version), will appear in Old Book Vol. 7.

Suikogaiden Vol.1[]

Loading a save file from Suikoden II grant you the ability to affect some parts of the plot:

The player's name for Riou is transferred.
The name of the player Army in Suikoden II is transferred.
The choice of waiting for Jowy at Muse alongside Nanami and Pilika is also transferred. If the player, in Suikoden II, decides to not wait for Jowy, Nash Latkje will only see Nanami and Pilika welcoming him. If the player decides to wait for Jowy, Riou will also be present for the scene.
The choices given to the Highland Guard at the Highland Camp infiltration. All choices are transferred over and mimicked, since the guard was Nash in disguise.

Suikogaiden Vol.2[]

Accepts a save file from the previous Suikogaiden Vol. 1.

Events that happened in Vol. 1 are sometimes mentioned again in Vol. 2.
If you used a Suikoden II save file in Suikogaiden Vol. 1, and that save file had a Suikoden I save file embed on it, a special scene with Tir and Kasumi will be shown.
If you used a Suikoden II save file in Suikogaiden Vol. 1 and had all the 108 Stars of Destiny, a special scene with Riou, Nanami and Jowy will be shown.

Suikoden III[]

Only a few minor changes occur for having a Suikoden II Save file transferred to a PS2 memory card.

Note: the Suikoden II savefile must be at the end of the game (After the battle with the Beast Rune Incarnation) in order to be recognized and transferred in Suikoden III.

Characters will get a level bonus for the few returrning and related character from Suikoden II. Futch and Viki get bonuses based on their level in Suikoden II, while Meg and Gadget in Suikoden II give bonuses to Belle and Gadget Z in Suikoden III, respectively.
Weapon Levels are also altered based on the old save with returning and related characters gaining higher starting weapons levels based on their old save counterparts.
Old Book Vol. 7 will feature the player name for Riou in the text.
Script #5 and Script #6 will become available. Note, in order to gain Script #6, the Suikoden II data must also have a record of Suikoden I Data as well.
In the Japanese version, a save data from Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 2 was also able to trigger additional content, alongside more Skill levels for Nash Latkje. In the US version, the content was unlocked by default.
Name you gave for the army will be transfered, otherwise will be refered as Dunan Army.

Suikoden Tactics[]

Suikoden Tactics will give you a few goodies for transferring Suikoden IV data.

Note: Suikoden IV savefile must be at the end of the game (after the credits), they will ask you to save, this is this saved data which need to be transfered to Suikoden Tactics.

The ability to recruit Lazlo and Snowe into your party.

Trivia[]

Pesmerga was also meant to be able to transfer the Windspun armor as well into Suikoden II, but due to the Dragon Armor being coded to be fixed on him in Suikoden I, the game won't allow it.
There is a glitch when factoring in Pesmerga's levels in Suikoden II that may end up making him nearly maxed level when recruited.
- Fixed in Suikoden I & II HD Remaster.
There was once a popular rumor among Suikoden forums that claimed the Clone Rune from Suikoden I could be transferred into Suikoden II.