Pokémon Winds and Waves comes out on Switch 2 in 2027, so we have a long wait ahead. So instead of refreshing leak accounts every morning, I went back through the series and picked the Pokémon games to play before Winds and Waves.
These aren’t simply the five “best” Pokémon games ever made. Instead, they’re the games that show where Gen 10 is coming from, because they have open areas, island regions, lots of ocean and Pokémon you catch out in the wild.
I ranked them on three things. First, how much they connect to what we’ve seen of Gen 10 so far. Second, how well they hold up today. And finally, how easy they are to actually play right now.
The best Pokémon games to play before Winds and Waves
Here’s the short version, in case you only came for the list:
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch)
- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (3DS)
- Pokémon Sun and Moon (3DS)
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch and Switch 2)
#1 Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
This is the one I’d play first. Legends: Arceus came out in January 2022, and it changed what a Pokémon game could feel like. You walk into a field, see Pokémon minding their own business and then sneak up on them through the tall grass. Even now, throwing a Poké Ball by hand still feels amazing.
The game is set in Hisui, the old version of the Sinnoh region. It isn’t a full open world, though, because it’s split into a handful of large areas. Still, that structure is where the whole open world idea started, and the catching is the best the series has ever had.
Why now: if Winds and Waves gets catching right, it will probably feel a lot like this.
#2 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch)
Scarlet and Violet were the first real open world Pokémon games, so they’re also the closest thing to a direct ancestor of Winds and Waves. You get three storylines that you can tackle in any order, Terastal battles and a region where you can go almost anywhere from the start.
To be fair, the launch on the original Switch was rough. There were stutters, Pokémon popping in out of nowhere and the occasional character stuck in a wall. On Switch 2, however, it runs a lot smoother, so if you skipped it back then, now is a good time to try it.
Why now: Winds and Waves builds on this game, which makes it fun to see what worked and what didn’t.
#3 Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (3DS)
Hoenn was the original water region, long before Winds and Waves was announced. You surf between islands, dive down to the sea floor and build secret bases on the beach. Yes, the famous “too much water” jokes are fair, but I still love it.
Ruby and Sapphire started it all on the Game Boy Advance, and Emerald is the best of those three. However, the 3DS remakes are easier to play nowadays and they look great. As a bonus, you also get Mega Evolution and the option to soar through the sky on Latios or Latias.
Why now: Winds and Waves is a region of islands and open sea, and Hoenn did that first. Need a refresher? Then check the full map on Bulbapedia’s Hoenn page.
#4 Pokémon Sun and Moon (3DS)
Alola is the other big island region in the series. It has four islands, a relaxed tropical vibe and island trials instead of gyms. It also got rid of HMs, so you could surf on Lapras or race across the water on Sharpedo without wasting a move slot.
The story does lean heavily on cutscenes, especially during the first few hours. If that bothers you, then Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon give you a bit more to do.
Why now: it shows how Game Freak handles a region that’s built around islands and travel by sea.
#5 Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch and Switch 2)
Legends: Z-A is the newest game on this list, since it came out on October 16, 2025. The whole adventure takes place in Lumiose City, and battles happen in real time instead of turn by turn. That’s a big change, so of course not everyone loved it.
It ends up lower on this list because one big city is pretty much the opposite of a sea full of islands. Even so, it’s the game to watch if you want to know where Game Freak is taking the battle system. The Switch 2 Edition also runs a lot better than the original Switch version.
Why now: it’s the most recent look at Game Freak’s ideas, and some might return in Winds and Waves.
Honorable mentions
- HeartGold and SoulSilver (DS): they don’t have much to do with Gen 10, but they’re still among the best Pokémon games ever made, with two full regions in one game.
- Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee (Switch): a relaxed trip back to Kanto, which makes them great if you’re playing with kids or with someone who is new to Pokémon.
Which Pokémon game should you play first?
That depends on what you have at home. If you only own a Switch or Switch 2, start with Legends: Arceus and then move on to Scarlet and Violet. On the other hand, if you still have a 3DS lying around, Omega Ruby and Sun and Moon are perfect for a weekend of island hopping.
FAQ: Pokémon games to play before Winds and Waves
Do I need to play older Pokémon games before Winds and Waves?
No, because every main Pokémon generation has its own region and story. Still, the older games make all the little references a lot more fun.
Which of these games can I play on Switch 2?
Legends: Arceus, Scarlet and Violet and Legends: Z-A all work on Switch 2, and Z-A also has a Switch 2 Edition. Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun and Moon, however, need a 3DS.
What’s the best Pokémon game to start with?
If you’re new, go for Legends: Arceus or Scarlet and Violet. They’re modern, they’re on Switch and they’re also the closest to what Gen 10 will feel like.
Is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet worth it in 2026?
Yes, especially on Switch 2, because it runs much better there. With the DLC included, there’s also a lot of game for your money.
When does Pokémon Winds and Waves come out?
Some time in 2027, although there’s no official release date yet.
Final thoughts
If you only have time for one game, go for Legends: Arceus. But if you’ve got a 3DS in a drawer somewhere, dust it off and sail around Hoenn for a weekend. It’s a great reminder of why water routes are annoying and kind of magical at the same time.
Want the full picture on Gen 10? Then read everything we know about Pokémon Winds and Waves. And if you’re more of a Zelda fan, check out my top 5 Zelda games ranked.
So what’s on your list? Which Pokémon game would you replay before Gen 10? Tell me in the comments, because I’m always looking for an excuse to start another run.
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