It’s been almost eight months since Pokémon Day, when The Pokémon Company dropped Gen 10 on us during the 30th anniversary Pokémon Presents. Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. Two games, one new region, three new starters.

Since then, there has been a lot of noise. Additionally, leaks and insider release dates mix with fan theories about the region. At least one TikTok claims a Gen 1 remake is hidden in the trailer. Now, let’s sort it out. For pokemon wind, this distinction matters. This is what’s officially confirmed. It is what’s only a rumor, and what I personally hope Game Freak gets right this time.

Pokémon Winds and Waves: the quick facts

• Revealed: February 27, 2026, at the Pokémon Presents for the 30th anniversary
• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 only. No version for the original Switch.
• Release: 2027, worldwide on the same day. No exact date yet.
• Developer: Game Freak
• Starters: Browt (Grass), Pombon (Fire) and Gecqua (Water)
• Type of game: open world, building on what Scarlet and Violet started

When is the release date of Pokémon Winds and Waves?

Officially: 2027. That’s it. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company haven’t named a month.

Unofficially, there are two camps.

Additionally, Centro Leaks says the target is September 2027.

Meanwhile, Riddler Khu, who has a pretty good track record with Pokémon news, says late 2027.

Therefore, neither has been confirmed, so treat both as gossip for now.

My guess? Look at the history. Sword and Shield came out in November 2019, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl in November 2021, Scarlet and Violet on November 18, 2022. Legends: Z-A broke the pattern a little with October 16, 2025. So I’d put my money on autumn 2027. Somewhere between September and November. Don’t hold your breath for a summer surprise.

Meet the starters: Browt, Pombon and Gecqua

The starter reveal is always the moment the whole fandom loses its mind for a week, and this time was no different.

Browt (Grass type)

The Bean Chick Pokémon. A small bird with a bean theme, which is about as wholesome as it gets. Grass starters usually end up being the underrated pick, and I have a feeling Browt’s final form will surprise people.

Pombon (Fire type)

The Puppy Pokémon. A fire dog as a starter. Growlithe fans have been waiting for this since 1996, so I’m calling it now: Pombon will be the most popular pick on day one.

Gecqua (Water type)

The Water Gecko Pokémon. In a game called Waves, set in a region full of ocean, the water starter is going to feel right at home. Lizard starters also have a history of turning into absolute units (hi, Greninja fans).

No evolutions have been shown yet, so anything you see online about final forms is fan art or fake.

The region: islands, ocean and a lot of wind

The region doesn’t have an official name yet. What we saw in the trailer: windswept islands, a huge ocean, thick jungle, a volcano, open grassland, areas that seem to be underwater, and a city that’s built on top of the water. Pokémon Centers and Poké Marts are back, spread across the map.

A lot of fans think the region is based on Southeast Asia. That’s a theory, not a fact. Nothing official has been said about it.

The trailer also mentioned natural forces that can block your path. Nobody knows yet how that works. Wind that pushes you back? Tides that open and close routes? I’d love that, but right now it’s guesswork.

And yes, with this much water, someone on the internet is going to bring up “too much water” again. Hoenn trauma runs deep.

What’s the difference between Winds and Waves?

So far, very little is confirmed. The only difference we know about is the player outfit. Winds gets a rugged, western-style look. Waves goes for an outfit with a cap.

Version exclusive Pokémon haven’t been revealed. Neither have the box legendaries.

Two smaller things that did show up:

• Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu: two Pikachu variants. What they do in the game is still a mystery.
• Brazilian Portuguese: you can pick it as a language, which is a first for a main series Pokémon game.

Will it run better than Scarlet and Violet?

This is the big one for me. Scarlet and Violet were fun to explore, but on the original Switch they were a mess. Frame drops, Pokémon popping in out of nowhere, characters walking through walls.

Winds and Waves being Switch 2 only gives me some hope. Game Freak doesn’t have to squeeze an open world onto 2017 hardware anymore. But we’ve only seen trailer footage, and trailers always look smoother than the real thing. I’ll believe it when I play it.

My Gen 10 wishlist

• Real ocean exploration. Surfing, diving, finding stuff on the sea floor. Give the water a purpose beyond “slow route between islands”.
• Gyms with puzzles. I miss the old gym gimmicks. Sliding on ice, switches, invisible walls. Make me think a little.
• A proper postgame. A Battle Frontier, a big optional island, anything that keeps me playing after the credits.
• Fewer empty fields. An open world doesn’t need to be big. It needs to be full.

FAQ: Pokémon Winds and Waves

When does Pokémon Winds and Waves come out?

Some time in 2027. There’s no official date yet. Leakers point to September or late 2027.

Is Pokémon Winds and Waves coming to the original Nintendo Switch?

No. It’s a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.

Who are the starters in Pokémon Winds and Waves?

Browt, the Grass type Bean Chick Pokémon, Pombon, the Fire type Puppy Pokémon, and Gecqua, the Water type Water Gecko Pokémon.

Is Pokémon Winds and Waves open world?

Yes. It’s an open world RPG, like Scarlet and Violet, set in a region of islands and ocean.

Do I need to buy both versions?

No. Like every Pokémon generation, you pick one. The versions will most likely have a few different Pokémon each, so you trade with a friend to complete your Pokédex.

Final thoughts

Gen 10 feels like the generation where Game Freak finally has the hardware to match its ideas.

The starters are strong, the island setting has a ton of potential, and I’m curious what those “natural forces” turn out to be.

Now we wait.

Probably a long time.

Want something to play in the meantime? Check out my list of Pokémon games to play before Winds and Waves, or read how Digimon Story Time Stranger stacks up against Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

So, which starter are you picking? Browt, Pombon or Gecqua? Let me know in the comments.