Pokemon Winds and Waves confirmed as Switch 2 exclusives, arriving in 2027
Nintendo announced pokemon Winds and Waves as the next mainline entries during a Pokémon Presents stream, saying both games will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 and will launch in 2027 — a new generation following the Paldea era.
Announcement at Pokémon Presents sets the stage
The company used the Pokémon Presents stream to name Pokémon Winds and Waves as the next core series installments, and it said the pair will be Switch 2 exclusives with a 2027 launch. The reveal marked a shift away from the Paldea region and toward a new island-focused setting.
Pokemon Winds and Waves emphasizes islands, jungles and the deep sea
A trailer shared alongside the announcement showed an island setting with multiple environments: dense jungles, caves full of magma, and areas beneath the ocean where players will encounter wild pokémon. Nintendo said in a press release that Winds and Waves will be open-world games, and the trailer confirmed underwater exploration as part of that scope.
Starter trio unveiled: Browt, Pombon and Gecua
The debut trailer showcased a new trio of starter pokémon named Browt, Pombon, and Gecua, giving players an early look at the regional options they’ll choose from when Winds and Waves launches in 2027 for the Switch 2.
Graphics, mechanics and comparisons to Scarlet / Violet and Legends: Z-A
Commentary around the debut trailer emphasized a notable leap in environmental detail compared with past titles like Scarlet / Violet and Legends: Z-A. One reviewer called the trailer a stunner and said Winds and Waves appears to include far more detailed environments and advanced water effects, with longer draw distances that let players pick destinations on the horizon more easily.
That same commentary also revisited past criticisms: Scarlet / Violet’s extreme performance issues, Legends: Z-A’s repetitive locations, and Sword and Shield’s restrictiveness. The trailer itself lacked voiceover and firm mechanical details about the region and systems, leaving some questions about how the new games will play despite the strong visuals.
Gameplay expectations and performance concerns
Observers noted large expanses of ocean in the trailer, and a reviewer suggested flying and surfing could be major game mechanics in Winds and Waves while gliding was central to Scarlet / Violet. At the same time, stability and target frame rate remain unknown; one commentator wrote that the pessimist in them expects a 30fps target but that nothing is confirmed yet.
Language support, leaks and what’s next
Nintendo’s press release also confirmed Brazilian Portuguese will be an officially selectable language in Winds and Waves. The titles were unveiled on the series’ 30th anniversary after weeks of plentiful rumours and leaks that had left the names all but confirmed beforehand.
For now, fans have two immediate markers: Pokopia is scheduled to drop next week, and Winds and Waves are slated to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. One writer also noted a personal aside: they hadn’t touched their Switch 2 for three months until buying a new pro controller, a small reminder of how much a strong exclusive can draw players back to a system.
