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Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are scheduled to launch worldwide in 2027, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. The Pokémon Company has confirmed an open world of windswept islands and ocean, three first partner Pokémon, and different player outfits in each version. It has not announced an exact release date or broader version-exclusive differences.

What has Pokémon officially confirmed?

The Pokémon Company announced the games on February 27, 2026. Its official game page and announcement describe an open-world adventure across windswept islands and a vast ocean. Players will team up with Pokémon to overcome challenges and forces of nature that sometimes block their path.

The setting and broad premise are confirmed, but the announcement does not give a full breakdown of exploration, battles, or other mechanics. The publisher also cautions that the screenshots and footage show a product in development, are not final, and may differ from the released game.

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When do Pokémon Winds and Waves release, and what platform do they use?

The announced window is 2027, with a simultaneous worldwide release on Nintendo Switch 2. The official page describes the games as exclusive to that console. No specific day, month, or season has been announced, so there is not yet a more precise date to plan around.

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  • Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
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The announcement does not state a price, preorder date, or whether the games will be sold in physical and digital formats. Because they are announced as Switch 2 exclusives, a Nintendo Switch 2 is the confirmed hardware fit; the announcement does not establish support for the original Nintendo Switch.

Which new Pokémon are confirmed as first partners?

Players can choose Browt, Pombon, or Gecqua. The Pokémon Company’s February 2026 announcement gives these published game details:

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Pokémon Category Type Height Weight Ability Official description
Browt Bean Chick Pokémon Grass 0.3 m 3.5 kg Overgrow Runs energetically while photosynthesizing with the leaves on its brow; can be clumsy.
Pombon Puppy Pokémon Fire 0.4 m 6.7 kg Blaze A heat-generating organ in its lungs causes the glow below its throat; it is friendly and guileless.
Gecqua Water Gecko Pokémon Water 0.3 m 4.3 kg Torrent Launches springy balls of water from its tail; it is intelligent and shrewd.

These are the three confirmed partner choices in the announcement. It does not yet provide a complete Pokédex or confirm other new Pokémon.

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What is different between Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves?

The confirmed difference shown so far is the player character’s outfit. The Winds protagonist wears a light-colored outfit with a wide-brim hat; the Waves protagonist wears blue with a cap. The announcement presents the protagonist in both games.

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  • Set off on a grand adventure to become the Pokémon League Champion—now on Nintendo Switch!
  • Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with this Nintendo Switch version* of the Pokémon FireRed Version game originally released on the Game Boy Advance system!
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The official material does not establish version-exclusive Pokémon, legendary Pokémon, storylines, maps, or gameplay mechanics. For now, the announced comparison is limited to the version name and outfit; other edition differences remain unconfirmed.

Who are Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu?

The reveal included two specially named Pikachu: Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu. The Pokémon Company has not explained their role in the adventure, saying to look forward to future information. Their function should therefore be treated as unknown, not assumed from their names or appearance.

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  • Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
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  • Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
  • Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
  • A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
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What languages are announced?

The February 2026 press release lists support for Japanese, English, European Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. This is the announced language list and may change.

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What else is known about the reveal?

The Pokémon Company says the main theme featured in the first reveal video was recorded by the NHK Symphony Orchestra. That announcement identifies the orchestra’s involvement, but does not provide further soundtrack details.

Where should you look for updates?

Pokémon Support says that information about upcoming Pokémon titles will be posted at pokemon.com when it becomes public. Its support information also says it cannot answer questions about titles that have not yet been announced there. For details such as the release date, price, preorders, formats, additional Pokémon, and version differences, rely on official announcements rather than treating leaks or fan theories as confirmed.

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Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.; Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
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