Pokemon Winds and Waves set for Switch 2 in 2027
The next mainline pokemon games, named Wind and Waves (also styled elsewhere as Winds and Waves), will be Switch 2 exclusives and are scheduled to launch in 2027 after being revealed during a Pokémon Presents stream.
Announcement and naming: Wind and Waves (and Winds and Waves)
Nintendo announced the new-generation mainline titles during a Pokémon Presents stream and used the names Wind and Waves while other coverage used the styling Winds and Waves. The move signals a departure from the Paldea region and the start of a new generation of games set to arrive in 2027.
Pokemon takes to sea and sky in island setting
A debut trailer showcases an island setting with wide ocean vistas, dense jungles, caves full of magma and areas beneath the ocean where wild pokémon appear. The trailer introduces a trio of starter pokémon named Browt, Pombon and Gecua and highlights underwater exploration alongside land and sea travel.
Open-world design, language support and a press release
In a press release, Nintendo said Wind and Waves will be open-world games and confirmed Brazilian Portuguese as an officially selectable language. The company shared a trailer that highlights many different environments players can explore while encountering wild pokémon.
Trailer details and uncertainties about performance
The debut trailer contains no voiceover or firm mechanical details about how the game will play, and it offers little on performance or stability. Commentary noted the trailer’s graphical leap—improved draw distances, striking water effects and promising underwater visuals—and suggested flying and surfing look likely to be major mechanics. Performance targets remain unknown; some observers expect a 30fps target, but there is no confirmed information on that front.
Context: what Winds and Waves must follow
Expectations are shaped by recent entries: Scarlet and Violet faced extreme performance issues, Legends: Z-A drew criticism for repetitive locations, and Sword and Shield were criticized for restrictiveness. Some commentary called Wind and Waves a potential system-seller for the Switch 2 when the games arrive in 2027, and others described the console itself as a superb piece of hardware.
Meta notes and what’s next
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Pokopia is about to drop next week, and Wind and Waves remains slated for release in 2027 without a more precise date. Recovery of additional technical details, performance targets and a firm release date are the next confirmed milestones to watch before the 2027 launch window.
