Pokémon Winds and Waves Announced for Switch 2 in 2027

The 10th generation of the mainline Pokémon series will officially debut in 2027 on the Nintendo Switch 2, as revealed during a milestone livestream celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

A New Open-World Archipelago

To mark three decades of the series, The Pokémon Company unveiled Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. These upcoming titles will feature a vast, open-world map centered around a sprawling ocean filled with diverse islands.

Meet the New Starters

The presentation highlighted the three new starter Pokémon that players will choose from:

Browt: A Grass-type “bean chick” with a distinct, aggressive appearance.
Pombon: A Fire-type inspired by the Pomeranian, already sparking fan debates about its potential evolution path—specifically, the hope that it avoids becoming a bipedal humanoid.
Gecqua: A Water-type gecko characterized by its large, expressive pink eyes.

Regional Setting and Fan Theories

While official details remain sparse, previous industry rumors pointed to a region inspired by Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The reveal trailer appears to corroborate this, showcasing lush jungles, seaside cliffs, and vibrant tropical towns. Eagle-eyed fans have also identified a curious cloud formation that resembles a hybrid of a Gyarados and a Lapras, fueling speculation about a new legendary creature.

Although the series previously explored tropical themes in the Hawaii-inspired Sun and Moon, the shift to a fully open-world format promises a different experience for the upcoming archipelago setting.

The Road to 2027

Mainline Pokémon titles traditionally target a November release window, suggesting a roughly two-year wait for fans. Given the criticism surrounding the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which faced technical issues and performance glitches, a longer development cycle for the Switch 2 titles may be a strategic move to ensure higher quality at launch.

In the interim, players currently have access to reissues of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Switch, available for $20.