The Pokémon Company lit up Pokémon Day on Feb. 27, 2026, with the surprise reveal of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the 10th generation of its iconic mainline RPG series. Unveiled during a livestreamed Pokémon Presents celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary, the dual titles promise an expansive open-world adventure exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, launching globally in 2027. As fans dissect the announcement trailer — which has racked up millions of views — here are 10 essential things every trainer must know about the games that could redefine Pokémon exploration.

1. A Long-Awaited Generation 10 Launch The reveal confirms Winds and Waves as the first mainline Pokémon games of Generation 10, developed by longtime studio Game Freak. Coming nearly five years after Scarlet and Violet, the titles mark the longest gap between core entries, allowing extra polish on the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware. Expect refined open-world gameplay building on Paldea’s successes while addressing past performance gripes.

2. Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive in 2027 No original Switch support — these are pure next-gen experiences. The global simultaneous release in 2027 positions them as key drivers for Switch 2 adoption, following the console’s 2025 debut. Nintendo’s hybrid powerhouse, with enhanced processing and visuals, will showcase dynamic weather, water effects, and dense biomes without compromise.

3. Adorable New Starters Steal the Show Choose your first partner from three classics:

• Browt, the Grass-type Bean Chick Pokémon — lively yet clumsy, 1 foot tall, 7.7 pounds, with Overgrow ability.
• Pombon, the Fire-type Puppy Pokémon — guileless and friendly fire pup, 1 foot 4 inches, 14.8 pounds, Blaze ability. Early fan favorite for its fluffy, energetic design.
• Gecqua, the Water-type Water Gecko Pokémon — intelligent lizard, 1 foot tall, 9.5 pounds, Torrent ability.Pombon’s popularity exploded on social media, with fans dubbing it “best boy.”

Pokemon Winds and Waves reveals starters Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua

4. Tropical Archipelago Inspired by Indonesia The unnamed region spans windswept islands and a glittering ocean, drawing from Indonesia and Southeast Asia’s diverse ecosystems — think palm beaches, dense jungles, mangrove swamps, volcanic caves, and coral reefs. Leaks predicting this setting proved spot-on, thrilling fans with its real-world authenticity.

5. Open-World Harmony with Nature Trainers “team up with all kinds of Pokémon to overcome both the difficult road ahead and even the forces of nature.” Lush environments foster unique Pokémon ecosystems, hinting at environmental puzzles, dynamic weather (howling winds, crashing waves), and co-op wild encounters. The trailer teases seamless traversal across land and sea.

6. Underwater Exploration Returns Submerged reefs and diving mechanics evoke Ruby and Sapphire, long absent from mainlines. Glimpses of underwater worlds promise a fresh layer to the ocean-focused region, with real-time reflections elevating visuals.

7. Vacation Pikachu Guides the Adventure Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu — beach-ready Pikachu in tourist gear — appear as enigmatic allies. Their tagline: “Just how could these Pikachu be involved?” sparks theories of tutorial roles or plot ties.

8. Protagonists with Version-Exclusive Outfits Main characters sport distinct looks per version (Winds vs. Waves), emphasizing player choice in this dual-release tradition. The trailer flips through a nostalgic region book before diving into the action.

9. Brazilian Portuguese Support Debuts A franchise first: Brazilian Portuguese as a selectable language, broadening access for South America’s massive fanbase. “Now, even more fans around the world will be able to play this new adventure in their native language,” the company stated.

10. Part of Epic 30th Anniversary Lineup The Presents packed more: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen rereleases, cozy multiplayer Pokémon Pokopia, Pokémon Champions in 2026 with HOME integration, and 2026 World Championships in San Francisco. All fuel the “What’s Your Favorite?” campaign across games, TCG, and merch.

Social media erupted post-reveal, with the official starter post amassing over 56,000 likes and fans rallying “Team Pombon” or praising Browt’s “Rowlet vibes.” Leaks from 2024-2025 — including the subtitle and archipelago — validated insiders, building hype. Analysts predict blockbuster sales, topping Scarlet/Violet‘s 25 million, as Pokémon nears 500 million units lifetime.

More details loom on Pokemon.com, but Winds and Waves signal a breezy, wave-riding evolution. Trainers, pick your starter and brace for 2027.