Pokémon Winds and Waves: Release Date, New Region, Starter Pokémon & Gameplay Details Revealed

The Pokémon Company has officially unveiled Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the twin titles that will usher in the franchise’s 10th generation when they launch worldwide on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. Billed as a “globally simultaneous release,” the games promise a sweeping open-world adventure set across a sprawling archipelago inspired by Southeast Asia’s tropical islands, complete with bustling marinas, coral-rich shallows and cyclone-lashed skies. New starters Browt (Grass), Pombon (Fire) and Gecqua (Water) During this week’s reveal trailer, Game Freak showcased the three starter Pokémon that will anchor trainers’ journeys. Browt is a leaf-mane lion cub that can whip up protective whirlwinds, Pombon is a fiery pom-pom monkey said to learn aerial dance moves, and Gecqua is a water/dragon gecko capable of surfing its own tidal waves. Early community buzz points to unique dual-type final evolutions, though official typings beyond Stage 1 remain under wraps. A region built for air and sea exploration The trailer highlights seamless transitions between gliding on updrafts and navigating turquoise waters, hinting that the new Legendary duo—one Wind-typed, one Wave-typed—may function as ride partners much like Koraidon and Miraidon did in Scarlet and Violet. Players can spot wind farms on cliff edges, pearl-diving villages and a storm-shrouded vortex at the map’s center, fueling speculation about dynamic weather events tied to real-time day cycles. Nintendo Switch 2 exclusivity confirms technical leap Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will skip the original Switch family entirely and instead harness the horsepower of Nintendo’s next-gen console, promising higher draw distances, denser cities and ray-traced water reflections according to the official fact sheet. Analysts note this makes Gen 10 the first mainline entry designed from the ground up for new hardware since 2013’s X & Y on 3DS, setting expectations for smoother online co-op and faster load times. 30th-anniversary showcase and 2027 release window The announcement forms the centerpiece of Pokémon’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, capping a video presentation that also teased Winds & Waves-themed episodes of the anime and a TCG expansion arriving next spring. While a precise launch day wasn’t given, publisher statements reiterate a “2027 worldwide release,” aligning with the brand’s pattern of November debuts. Pre-orders will open later this year, with bonuses including an exclusive Surfing Pikachu distribution code. Why this matters for fans and SEO searchers With searches for “Pokémon Winds and Waves release date,” “Gen 10 starters,” and “Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon game” spiking within hours of the reveal, timely coverage is critical for trainers eager to plan their next adventure. Expect Nintendo to drip-feed details—such as regional variants, competitive mechanics and connectivity with Pokémon HOME—through monthly trailers. Bookmark this page as we track every update, leak and confirmed feature leading up to launch.