The Pokémon Company International confirmed the names of its next generation of titles – Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves – during a 30th-anniversary livestream event on Wednesday, February 27, 2026. The announcement follows years of speculation fueled by a significant data leak from Game Freak servers in 2024 that revealed the games were in development.
Both Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are slated for release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, marking the first mainline Pokémon entries designed solely for the fresh hardware. This decision diverges from recent releases, such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which will be available on multiple platforms. According to a statement from The Pokémon Company, players will “explore lovely windswept islands and a vast ocean with glittering waves,” and “team up with Pokémon to overcome challenges and even the forces of nature!”
The Pokémon Presents livestream unveiled the three starter Pokémon for the new generation: Browt, a Grass-type described as a “lively but clumsy Bean Chick Pokémon”; Pombon, a Fire-type characterized as a “guileless and friendly Puppy Pokémon”; and Gecqua, a Water-type identified as an “intelligent Water Gecko Pokémon.” The trailer also featured a new look for Pikachu, dubbed Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu, though their role in the game remains unknown.
Developed by Game Freak, the games will feature an open world environment, a departure from the more linear structure of previous titles. The Pokémon Company confirmed the games will be available in 11 languages, including Brazilian Portuguese.
The announcement coincided with the celebration of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, commemorating the original release of Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green in Japan in 1996, later released as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue in the West. Remakes of the original games, Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, were released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004 and are now available on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 for $20.
In addition to Winds and Waves, The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library on the Switch 2 in March. Pokémon Pokopia, a life-simulation game, is scheduled to launch on the Switch 2 on March 5, 2026. A modern version of Pokémon Stadium, titled Pokémon Champions, is also slated for release on the Nintendo Switch in April, with a subsequent launch on iOS and Android later in the year, featuring cross-play functionality across all three platforms.
