The generation kicked off by Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be the franchise’s longest-running one to date. Pokemon is a series known for its formula, with many mechanics and features remaining consistent between each mainline release, and this consistency has extended to its release schedule, too. Now, though, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are set to break out of that rhythm, thanks to Winds and Waves‘ launch window.
2026 marks Pokemon‘s 30th anniversary, so expectations were high heading into the February 27 Pokemon Day showcase. As anticipated, there were plenty of big Pokemon reveals to mark the occasion, including the first official look at Gen 10, which will begin with Pokemon Wind and Waves. There’s a lot to unpack in the trailer for the new games, including a detail that has some noticeable implications for the current generation.
Every Pokemon Officially Confirmed for Winds and Waves So Far
Pokemon Winds and Waves’ official reveal is finally here, and the trailer confirms several returning Pokemon for Gen 10 as well as the new starters.
Gen 9 Will Be the Longest-Running Pokemon Generation Ever
As highlighted by Pokemon leaker Centro, Winds and Waves‘ confirmed release window means the Scarlet and Violet generation will be the first in the series to pass the five-year mark. The Pokemon Wind and Waves reveal announced that Gen 10 will start sometime in 2027. Up until this point, the longest gap between Pokemon generations has been a tie between Gen 3 and Gen 4, both of which lasted for four years. Apart from those instances, Game Freak has released new generations at a steady three-year pace, but with Scarlet and Violet debuting in 2022, Wind and Waves‘ 2027 launch means fans are in for a longer wait than ever before.
While the period between Gen 9 and Gen 10 will break the franchise record, many fans have expressed appreciation for the extended pause. The past few Pokemon games have received a good deal of criticism from the fanbase, and Scarlet and Violet were noticeably buggy at launch, so some extra development time could do the series some good. It’s entirely possible that the wait for Winds and Waves is so long because The Pokemon Company has plenty of other upcoming projects to release between now and then, but it would make sense if Game Freak wants to take its time with Gen 10 amid the criticism of recent titles. All players know for sure is that it will be a little while longer than expected to get Winds and Waves, but there’s a chance that’s good news.
It’s also not clear when in 2027 Gen 10 will come out, so the gap could be a little shorter than it seems on the surface. That said, most main series Pokemon games have come out around November, so if Wind and Waves follow suit, then it really will be an unusually long wait. The same may not be true for what comes next, though. Centro has previously stated that Pokemon Gen 11 is aiming for a 2030 release, which would bring the franchise back into the three-year cycle it has largely followed over past generations. Of course, it’s too early to pinpoint Gen 11’s launch with any specificity, considering how Gen 10 is still a ways off.
While there may be a record-breaking wait until the next generation, Pokemon fans won’t go without any new games for long. The Minecraft-like Pokemon Pokopia comes out on March 5, 2026, and the battle-focused Pokemon Champions will launch in April 2026, and there’s new content coming to Legends: Z-A, too. All in all, it’s a good time to be a Pokemon fan, with the franchise coming out of the gates swinging in 2026. Fans will likely learn more about Winds and Waves as the year goes on, but until then, there’s plenty within Gen 9 to enjoy.
- Released
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November 18, 2022
- ESRB
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E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
