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Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are two new role-playing games announced for a simultaneous worldwide release in 2027, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Their reveal also introduces two individually named special Pikachu: Mr. Windychu for Winds and Ms. Wavychu for Waves.
That makes them unusually strong candidates for a “best Pikachu clone” story, but the distinction matters: The Pokémon Company has not officially ranked them above earlier Pikachu-like Pokémon. “Best” is an editorial judgment based on their confirmed status, distinctive identities and direct connection to the next mainline generation.
What was announced?
The Pokémon Company says the games are “all-new entries in the Pokémon video game series” and will be released “exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in a simultaneous worldwide release in 2027.” No specific day or month has been announced.
The announcement page presents the pair under the heading “Special Pikachu Make Their Debuts.” Mr. Windychu is associated with Pokémon Winds, while Ms. Wavychu is associated with Pokémon Waves. The Pokémon Day 2026 recap describes them as special Pikachu with a brand-new look.
#1 Best Overall
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 8-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Pikachu looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 8-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
Who are Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu?
Mr. Windychu
Mr. Windychu is the special Pikachu connected to Pokémon Winds. The official reveal confirms his name and his association with that game, but it does not yet explain his battle statistics, abilities, story role or how players encounter him.
Ms. Wavychu
Ms. Wavychu is the corresponding special Pikachu for Pokémon Waves. Her official name and game association are confirmed, while gameplay details remain undisclosed.
The announcement asks, “Just how could these Pikachu be involved in your adventure?” and directs fans to future announcements. That wording confirms that their involvement is still a mystery rather than establishing a particular mechanic or narrative position.
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Rank #2
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon.
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 12-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material.
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Pikachu looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series.
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 12-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team.
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares.
Why they qualify as leading Pikachu-clone candidates
Fans commonly use “Pikachu clone” for Pokémon that echo Pikachu’s role or visual identity, including separate species such as Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, Morpeko and Pawmi. The term is an informal fan category, not an official classification.
Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu stand out on the evidence currently available:
- They are explicitly identified as special Pikachu. This is stronger than a fan assigning the label to a different species.
- They have individual official names. Naming each character gives the designs a defined identity instead of leaving them as unnamed variants.
- They debut with the next mainline generation. Their arrival is tied directly to the reveal of two new Pokémon RPGs rather than to a later spin-off appearance.
- They have a brand-new look. The Pokémon Day 2026 recap specifically uses that description.
Those points support calling them the strongest new candidates so far. They do not establish an official all-time ranking, and they do not yet prove that either character is the most powerful, popular or commercially successful.
Rank #3
- CAPTAIN PIKACHU: Get ready to set sail with Captain Pikachu
- SPECIAL HAT: 8-inch Pokémon plush is super soft and wears a special captain’s hat
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Plush looks like it jumped right out of the Pokémon Animated Series
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 8-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
Confirmed facts versus unanswered questions
| Question | What is confirmed | What is not yet announced |
|---|---|---|
| What are the games? | New Pokémon RPGs titled Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. | Detailed mechanics, regions, story and features. |
| Where can they be played? | Exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. | Any release for the original Switch or another platform. |
| When do they launch? | Simultaneous worldwide release in 2027. | Exact release date, launch schedule and preorder date. |
| Who are the special Pikachu? | Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu, with one associated with each game. | Battle roles, abilities, availability and story importance. |
| What can buyers order? | Nothing specific has been announced. | Price, physical SKU, retailer listings and merchandise schedule. |
The new starter Pokémon
The announcement also identifies three first-partner Pokémon:
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- Browt — Grass type, Bean Chick Pokémon, with Overgrow.
- Pombon — Fire type, Puppy Pokémon, with Blaze.
- Gecqua — Water type, Water Gecko Pokémon, with Torrent.
The reveal does not state how these starters interact with Mr. Windychu or Ms. Wavychu. Any team-building advice, evolution information or competitive assessment would be speculation until more details are released.
How the pair compare with earlier Pikachu-like Pokémon
A fair comparison should separate confirmed facts from subjective design preferences. The useful tests are whether a character is an actual Pikachu variant or a separate species, how directly it is tied to a new mainline release, whether an official name and role are confirmed, how visually distinctive it is, and whether products are available.
Rank #4
- ICONIC POKÉMON: Get cozy with Pokémon and the new Velvet Pikachu Plush
- UNIQUE DESIGN: Unique 8-inch plush is woven with high quality velvet
- SELECT SERIES: Velvet Plush is a part of the Select Pokémon plush series
- LIMITED RELEASE: This limited line is only available for a short time in 2023
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
| Criterion | Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu | Earlier fan-labeled examples |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to Pikachu | Official materials call them special Pikachu. | Generally treated by fans as separate species with Pikachu-like designs. |
| Connection to a new mainline release | Debut alongside the 2027 Winds and Waves generation. | Varies by species and original game. |
| Official individual name | Confirmed for both characters. | Species names are established, but the “clone” label is informal. |
| Visual distinctiveness | Officially described as a brand-new look; full details are still limited. | Depends on the individual design. |
| Merchandise availability | Not announced. | Not compared by the announcement. |
Can you preorder Pokémon Winds or Pokémon Waves?
Not yet, based on the announcement. The Pokémon Company has provided no price, preorder date, physical-edition information or retailer listing. Treat any supposed listing or price as unconfirmed unless it comes from an authorized retailer or a later official announcement.
The same limitation applies to Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu merchandise: no product range or release schedule has been announced.
What “best Pikachu clone” means here
The headline is best understood as a reasoned editorial verdict, not a statement from The Pokémon Company. On currently confirmed information, the pair have the clearest official status, the strongest connection to a brand-new mainline release and the most specific identities of any newly revealed Pikachu-like characters. Whether players ultimately consider one of them the best will depend on designs, in-game roles, availability and merchandise details that have not been revealed.
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