Pokémon Winds and Waves Announced for Switch 2 in 2027

The Pokémon Company has officially unveiled the next chapter of its flagship franchise, announcing Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. Set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, these titles represent the 10th generation of the main series, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the original games.

The reveal confirmed three new starter Pokémon that will accompany players through the new region:

• Browt: A Grass-type “bean chick” with a distinct, aggressive appearance.
• Pombon: A Fire-type inspired by the Pomeranian breed.
• Gecqua: A Water-type gecko characterized by large pink eyes.

A New Tropical Frontier

While the trailer does not explicitly confirm the setting, the visuals—displaying dense jungles, mountainous coastlines, and coral reefs—align with previous industry rumors suggesting a region inspired by Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Sharp-eyed fans have also noted a peculiar cloud formation in the footage, which appears to resemble a hybrid of Gyarados and Lapras, sparking speculation regarding a new Legendary Pokémon.

This oceanic, archipelago-based map aims to expand on the open-world mechanics introduced in recent generations. Although the Hawaii-inspired Sun and Moon titles explored tropical themes nearly a decade ago, the transition to a fully open-world format offers a distinct shift in gameplay scale.

Development and Expectations

The 2027 window suggests a departure from the typical rapid release cycle seen in previous years. Following the criticism regarding technical performance and glitches in 2022’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a longer development period for the Switch 2 launch may indicate a focus on stability and polish.

For fans looking to fill the gap until the new release, Nintendo has made reissues of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen available on the Switch for $20.