The Pokemon Presents has officially given fans their first look at Pokemon Winds and Waves, the Gen 10 games. That’s not to say it’s all good news for Pokemon fans, though, even if it’s not exactly bad news. Some fans will just need to learn some patience.
The Pokemon Presents unfolded as expected. After an array of reveals and info drops for games from Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen to Pokemon Sleep, The Pokemon Company and Game Freak revealed one last video. It showed off some impressive graphics, perhaps in response to the visual critiques of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and even confirmed the Pokemon Winds and Waves starters: Grass-type Browt, the Fire-type Pombon, and the Water-type Gecqua.
This much was expected after all the rumors and leaks for Pokemon Winds and Waves, but what wasn’t was the confirmation of a 2027 release window. Rumors indicated it would be an exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2, releasing this year, and history has typically seen mainline Pokemon games release in the fall after their reveal. In other words, this is a huge change. Perhaps this is due to extended development times across the industry, Game Freak’s work on the upcoming Beast of Reincarnation game, or any number of other possibilities. Fans won’t see the games in 2026, unfortunately.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Pokemon Winds and Waves Release Window
Hopefully, the extended time comes with major improvements to the tried-and-true Pokemon formula, but equally hopeful is that it’s an early 2027 release and not a late 2027 release. I would be hard-pressed to believe that Game Freak would reveal the new generation of Pokemon games in February 2026 if they were released in Fall/Winter 2027. But that does beg the question of what the Nintendo Switch 2’s big holiday game will be this year.
Indeed, everyone assumed it would be Pokemon Winds and Waves, and this one little shift throws a serious wrench in plans. It could be that Nintendo Switch 2 does not have a title ready for that period, but that feels unlikely. Instead, there might be a brand new release for a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive dropping this holiday season that has yet to be revealed. At the very least, that’s pretty exciting for Nintendo Switch 2 owners.
