Pokémon Winds, Pokémon Waves: Release Date, Gameplay, Characters, Settings, Trailer, How to Play and Where to Buy

Fans will finally return to the world of Pokémon to a brand-new region in 2027, when Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves launch worldwide on Nintendo Switch 2. The Pokémon Company confirmed the two games as twin entries in the series' tenth generation during a Pokémon Presents broadcast on 27 February 2026.

For a franchise that has been revisiting familiar ground with remakes and spin-offs since 2022's Generation 9 titles, the announcement carries real weight. These are the first mainline games built specifically for Nintendo's next-generation console, and the first time players will explore a fully open tropical archipelago shaped around wind and water. What is known so far comes from the official trailer and follow-up materials; considerable detail remains under wraps, from the exact release date to pricing and any special editions.

Pokémon Winds, Pokémon Waves and the New Tropical Setting

Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo alongside The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves share the same core adventure but appear as separate versions with different cover art and some version-specific content. Both are being developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, with no official confirmation of any original Switch version.

The games take place in a new, unnamed tropical region described as a chain of windswept islands surrounded by a vast ocean. Underwater areas will be fully explorable, and the trailer shows stretches of reef, submerged ruins and deep caverns, suggesting a stronger emphasis on vertical and aquatic exploration than earlier titles.

The Pokémon Company has said that creatures here have formed distinct ecosystems tied to the landscape, with players working alongside their team to overcome hostile terrain and what are described as 'forces of nature.'

Visually, early footage shows a clear step up from Scarlet and Violet, with sharper character models and more detailed environments, though performance on final hardware remains to be seen.

Starters, Pikachu Variants and How to Play Pokémon Winds, Pokémon Waves

Players will choose one of three Generation 10 starter Pokémon at the beginning of their journey. All three were confirmed in the initial announcement and will be available in both versions.

• Browt, a Grass-type Bean Chick Pokémon, is described as lively but clumsy, with a sprouting motif that fits the 'winds' theme
• Pombon, a Fire-type Puppy Pokémon, is portrayed as guileless and friendly
• Gecqua, a Water-type Water Gecko Pokémon, is presented as intelligent and reserved, leaning into the 'waves' aesthetic

The trailer also briefly showed two special Pikachu forms dubbed Mr Windychu and Ms Wavychu, sporting appearances tied to the games' themes. How these forms are obtained and what role they play in the story has not been confirmed.

Gameplay and Features

Customisation has been flagged too. Your main character's outfit will differ depending on whether you are playing Pokémon Winds or Pokémon Waves, hinting at subtly different visual identities even if the narrative beats stay broadly aligned. Under the hood, core systems stay familiar: you explore an open world, encounter and catch Pokémon, then use their abilities to push deeper into the region. Diving, swimming and lighting up dark caverns are all highlighted as actions tied directly to members of your team.

A modern Rotom device returns as the in‑universe bit of kit that lets trainers manage their Pokémon and interact with the world. Connectivity with Pokémon HOME has been confirmed, so players will eventually be able to transfer eligible creatures from older games into Winds and Waves, though transfer rules and timing have not yet been spelt out.

Language Support and Where to Buy

One of the quieter announcements carries meaningful implications for the series' global audience. From Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves onwards, Brazilian Portuguese will be a fully supported language option, expanding accessibility for a significant segment of fans who have previously had to play in other languages.

Beyond that, the structure looks familiar. As with earlier twin releases such as Scarlet and Violet, Winds and Waves will launch simultaneously worldwide in 2027 as separate boxed and digital editions. Retailers have not yet opened pre-orders, and The Pokémon Company has not announced a price. Industry commentary that pegs the games somewhere between $70 and $100 (approximately £52 to £74) reflects general expectations for next-generation Switch 2 titles rather than confirmed figures.

The games will be available through the Nintendo eShop and physical copies at major electronics and games retailers. Special hardware bundles and pre-order bonuses have been widely discussed in fan circles, but none have been formally announced.

What is concrete, for now, is that after years of updates and side projects, Pokémon's tenth generation finally has a shape, a setting, and three new faces in Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua, withPokémon Winds and Pokémon Wavesset to carry the series into its next hardware era.