A new Pokemon generation is on the horizon, now that Pokemon Winds and Waves has officially been revealed. The next mainline game–once again developed by Game Freak–will introduce the tenth generation of Pokemon, and while exact details are being kept under wraps for now, the reveal trailer showed off plenty of details. We’ve been busy connecting the poke-dots ahead of the game’s release next year, and here’s everything we know so far about Pokemon Winds and Waves.
When will Pokemon Winds and Waves be released?
Nintendo has penciled in a 2027 release window for Pokemon Winds and Waves, which means that this new mainline entry will be skipping the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise. Big Pokemon games typically launch in the second half of the year, but if you need something Poke-flavored to play right now, Pokemon Pokopia might be the surprise hit spin-off game to check out.
Pokemon Winds and Waves platform
The new Pokemon game will be waving goodbye to the last-gen Switch console, as Nintendo has confirmed that Pokemon Winds and Waves will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. While the news might be disappointing to anyone who isn’t ready to upgrade to the Switch 2 yet, the shift to Nintendo’s new hardware might be for the best given the rough presentation of previous mainline games on the older console, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet in particular looking sub-par when compared to other open-world games on the system.
Pokemon Winds and Waves gameplay
Nintendo and the Pokemon Company haven’t revealed any gameplay details yet, but judging by the reveal trailer, it looks like several series staples have been preserved for this new adventure. The starter Pokemon are Grass, Fire, and Water-types once again, and like previous games, the vast world will be home to various Pokemon that you can catch and train for the battles that lie ahead. Will this be another turn-based RPG? We don’t know for certain, but the reveal trailer did tease this evergreen gameplay. Every mainline Pokemon has been a turn-based battler, but other spin-offs like the recently released Pokemon Legends: Z-A have explored new gameplay ideas like real-time battles.
We’re also hoping that the frictionless gameplay of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is expanded and refined for this new entry. While the last mainline game was heavily criticized for its poor visual performance, its gameplay made exploration better than ever and allowed players to focus on assembling a team of pocket monsters on their journey to become a Pokemon master.
Pokemon Winds and Waves setting
We don’t have a name yet for the new region featured in Pokemon Winds and Waves, but we did get an extended look at what might just be the most vibrant locale to date in the franchise. Tropical regions have been explored before in games like Pokemon Sun and Moon, but Pokemon Waves and Winds is shifting to an area that is clearly inspired by Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, mixing modern-day metropolitan cities with lush jungles and beautiful oceans.
Pokemon Winds and Waves version differences
The differences between Pokemon Winds and Waves haven’t been revealed yet, aside from the main characters having different outfits depending on which version you play. If history is an indicator of what to expect, then there’ll likely be version-exclusive Pokemon, including the unique Legendary Pokemon that have graced the covers of every mainline game since Pokemon Gold and Silver.
New Pokemon in Pokemon Winds and Waves
Say hello to your new starters! Players can choose from one of three Pokemon to start their journey with: The lively but clumsy Bean Chick Pokemon Browt, the friendly puppy Fire-type Pokemon Pombon, and the intelligent water gecko Pokemon, Gecqua. The reveal trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves also showed off several more familiar Pokemon, like Krabby, Slugma, and Tangela. Pikachu can also be found in the wild, and the game will even feature two unique versions of the Pokemon mascot who will assist players in their adventure, Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu.
Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer
Pokemon Winds and Waves screenshots
