For many Nintendo Switch 2 gamers, it was likely deflating when Pokemon Winds and Waves were announced to be 2027 releases. At the time of this writing, Nintendo has yet to map out the Switch 2’s release schedule for 2026, meaning that a lot of the console’s new releases for this year are still a mystery, and so it’s understandable that Pokemon Winds and Waves being 2027 games was disappointing to hear. However, it may actually be a good thing for the Switch 2 when it’s all said and done.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has already received a variety of major new game releases in 2026, with exclusive game Mario Tennis Fever and critically-acclaimed multiplatform survival-horror game Resident Evil Requiem now readily available on the platform. We also know that Pokemon Pokopia is coming to Switch 2 on March 5, but beyond that, it’s hard to say what else the console has in store in terms of exclusives and other big new games.
Your Outfit in Pokemon Winds and Waves Depends on Which Version You Buy
In Pokemon Winds and Waves, the version you buy determines your trainer’s starting outfit, adding a stylish twist to version exclusives.
Many were expecting Pokemon Winds and Waves to be the big holiday 2026 Switch 2 game, but they will instead be launching in 2027. That seems like a bad thing on the surface, but I think it will actually be for the best in the long run. Pokemon Winds and Waves releasing in 2027 means that the big holiday 2026 Switch 2 game is still an unknown, which is a very exciting prospect.
No Pokemon Leaves Room for Mario
The prevailing theory is that a new 3D Super Mario game is releasing for the Switch 2 this holiday season. It’s been a staggering nine years since the last brand-new 3D Super Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey, was released, and so fans are overdue for a new entry. Not only that, but a new 3D Super Mario game releasing the same year as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie would echo Super Mario Bros. Wonder dropping the same year as the first Super Mario movie.
Nintendo never takes too long to release a new 3D Super Mario game for its consoles. Super Mario 64 hit the Nintendo 64 on launch day, while Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario 3D World all came out a year after their respective consoles released. The previously mentioned Super Mario Odyssey was out the same year as the Switch 1 hit store shelves. With no new Pokemon games taking up the oxygen, chances are extremely high that Mario’s next major 3D adventure will release for the Switch 2 this holiday season, with a reveal potentially happening at the rumored March Nintendo Direct or maybe the expected June 2026 Nintendo Direct.
Pokemon Winds and Waves Have More Time to Cook
Of course, there may be Pokemon fans that are not interested in Super Mario and may still be bummed out about Winds and Waves launching in 2027 instead of 2026. However, after Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launched with serious technical problems, giving Winds and Waves more time in the oven can only be a good thing.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet run great on the Switch 2 hardware, and what’s been shown of Pokemon Winds and Waves looks incredible, so I have no doubt that the new games will be able to avoid the pitfalls of their predecessors – if Game Freak has enough time to polish the games to fan expectations. A 2027 release means more development time which potentially means even better Pokemon games than they would have been otherwise.
Pokemon Winds and Waves coming in 2027 could mean Switch 2 owners get better Pokemon games and it almost certainly means that Nintendo has massive, non-Pokemon plans for the console this holiday season. So while the initial reaction to the 2027 release window may be one of disappointment, I think it all shakes out to be a good thing for Switch 2 owners.
- Released
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2027
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
