Pokemon Winds and Waves, celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary, made its debut on Friday during a special Pokemon Presents livestream. Scheduled for release in 2027, these games mark the first mainline entries in the beloved series for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Continuing the trend set by Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Winds and Waves introduces players to a fully explorable open world, set across multiple islands interconnected by seas brimming with adventure. This design draws inspiration from the iconic mechanics found in the third generation of Pokemon titles, Ruby and Sapphire, which debuted in 2002.
As is tradition, the reveal included the introduction of three new starter Pokemon, each promising to become an integral part of players’ journeys. The grass-type Browt, resembling a chickadee with an amusingly bulbous head, offers a playful energy. Gecqua, the water-type starter, is a cool quadrupedal gecko, while Pombon, the fire-type, presents as an adorable orange kitty with a fluffy mane that quickly captures hearts and seems poised to become a fan favorite.
Additionally, familiar faces from previous games made a comeback, including Pikachu, Tympole, Wailord, Tropius, Carnivine, and Frillish, among others. Many of these returning Pokemon harmonize with the island setting, found in lush volcanic caves, swampy regions, and mysterious underwater coves.
It has been four years since the release of the last mainline Pokemon titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While those games received praise for their innovative open world and storytelling, they suffered from performance issues and bugs on the original Nintendo Switch. With the new and improved capabilities of the Switch 2, there is great hope that Pokemon Winds and Waves will deliver a smoother and more polished gameplay experience.
Although these are the first traditional mainline games for the Switch 2, they follow other recent entries in the Pokemon franchise. The recently launched Pokemon Legends: Z-A introduced a revamped battling system, stepping away from the established turn-based format. Furthermore, Pokemon Pokopia, set to launch next month, offers a cozy, Animal Crossing-style experience for fans to enjoy while they anticipate the immersive adventures awaiting in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
The excitement surrounding these new titles marks a thrilling time for the franchise, as fans look forward to exploring new worlds and forging bonds with both new and nostalgic Pokemon.