Pokemon Winds and Waves looks like it could be an exciting new chapter for the franchise, but that’s also heavily dependent on how the game performs on the Switch 2. There has been plenty of hype and intrigue surrounding Pokemon Winds and Waves ever since Nintendo announced the new entry earlier this year, and for good reason. In terms of graphics, the game looks absolutely beautiful. However, Winds and Waves really has to deliver after several years of disappointing performance problems.
Pokemon games on the Switch have not had a great reputation. The series has been plagued by performance issues for eight years now, and Winds and Waves needs to make up for a lot of frustration. That might be a difficult task, but the Switch 2’s specs should theoretically have what it takes to bring fans an expansive 3D Pokemon game that lives up to the hype.
Pokemon Winds and Waves Fans Are United on Pombon’s Final Evolution
Pokemon Winds and Waves fans are in agreement when it comes to what the final evolution of Pombon should look like.
Pokemon Has Struggled to Hit the Mark With Its Past Switch Games
Even with fun gameplay elements and interesting new worlds, the 3D Pokemon games on the Switch have been plagued with performance problems. If Winds and Waves wants to join the ranks of the best Pokemon games ever, then developer Game Freak hopefully has taken extra initiative to address the valid critiques about how much of a letdown performance has been for nearly a decade at this point.
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A Look Back at Pokemon’s Original Switch Era
- Sword and Shield – 2019
- Legends: Arceus – 2022
- Scarlet and Violet – 2022
- Legends: Z-A – 2025
Frame drops, constant lagging, visual pop-ins, and inconsistencies between handheld and docked mode have been constant issues for the Switch’s Pokemon offerings. What’s even worse is that Game Freak’s efforts to improve some of these issues have often resulted in even more problems that have just caused further frustration. In an effort to combat the performance woes, one controversial patch even made fewer Pokemon spawn in Scarlet and Violet, which simply made the world feel empty instead of improved.
Even though Game Freak and Nintendo have announced the game and showed off teasers of gameplay, an official release date for Winds and Waves still has yet to be confirmed. Rumors and leaks have been claiming a September 2027 launch window, but these kinds of claims should be met with skepticism until confirmed by Game Freak or Nintendo.
After the Original Switch’s Performance Woes, the Switch 2 Needs to Prove That It’s a Worthy Home for Future Pokemon Games
Compared to the original version of the Switch, the Switch 2’s hardware is far more powerful. When it comes to overall power, the Switch 2 is on par with the likes of the Xbox Series S and PS4 Pro. It might not pack the same punch as a PS5 or Xbox Series X, but that’s still a significant jump when compared to its predecessor.
Winds and Waves needs to make up for a lot of frustration. That might be a difficult task, but the Switch 2’s specs should theoretically have what it takes to bring fans an expansive 3D Pokemon game that lives up to the hype.
Ahead of the improved Nintendo console’s launch, one of the biggest talking points in its marketing was all the major third-party games the Switch 2 could handle that its predecessor couldn’t. Nintendo revealing that games like Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 would be a reality was a huge draw, so it only makes sense that Winds and Waves would offer a better performance than the Switch-era entries. The Switch 2 may still pale in comparison to high-end consoles and PCs, but it’s a great improvement overall that has expanded the modern Nintendo console library in a huge way.
A Look at Demanding Third-Party AAA Games That Can Be Played on the Switch 2
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Pragmata
- Street Fighter 6
- WWE 2K25
- No Man’s Sky
- Dynasty Warriors: Origins
- Red Dead Redemption
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Yakuza 0
The above list definitely isn’t anything to scoff at. There was once a time when a game like Red Dead Redemption or Resident Evil Requiem on a Nintendo console seemed impossible. However, the Switch 2 proved that Nintendo has the ability to handle some serious heavy hitters. Even though third-party AAA games on the Switch 2 often have to downgrade visuals, Nintendo’s first-party titles have continued to look and perform really well on the console, so this hopefully bodes well for Winds and Waves.
Game Freak is also currently working on an original project for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S called Beast of Reincarnation. Compared to the developer’s other games, Beast of Reincarnation looks to be a huge step forward in terms of graphics and gameplay. The game’s combat has soulslike qualities, so it will be interesting to see how Game Freak approaches such a different genre after putting such an emphasis on Pokemon.
Winds and Waves Won’t Have Any Excuses if the Game Has the Same Performance Problems as Its Predecessors
It’s hard to say whether Winds and Waves will be a big improvement, but Legends Z-A and Scarlet and Violet actually might be a promising sign for what to expect when the new Pokemon game comes out next year. These two entries run much better on the Switch 2 than their original Switch versions. Also, since Legends Z-A is the most recent entry in the series, it might be an even clearer sneak peek at what Winds and Waves‘ performance could be like.
The first looks at Winds and Waves‘ graphics are shaping up to be a big improvement on Legends Z-A‘s visuals, so it’s important to remember that the stronger graphics could potentially hinder performance. With games like Cyberpunk 2027 and No Man’s Sky on the Switch 2 game roster now, though, Winds and Waves doesn’t really have an excuse anymore.
The Switch 2 proved that Nintendo has the ability to handle some serious heavy hitters.
As the year continues, Game Freak and Nintendo are bound to unveil more Winds and Waves details, but much of the game is still shrouded in mystery. Confirmed features like the Winds and Waves starter Pokemon are an exciting promise of what’s to come, but there will hopefully be even more big reveals before the year comes to a close. Winds and Waves looks great on the surface, but the Switch 2 can hopefully manage the heavy lifting when it comes to overall performance.
- Released
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2027
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
