The special Pokémon presentation for its 30 anniversary It has finally served to reveal what the next main installments of the saga will be. Under the names of Pokémon Wind y Pokémon WaveThe franchise premieres its tenth generation of creatures and does so by looking directly at Nintendo's next console.
Both games have been shown for the first time in a Pokemon Presents Filled with nostalgia, the presentation revisited all previous generations before unveiling the first trailer. This preview has already revealed plenty of clues about what the new region will be like, the kind of adventure it offers, and what new features players can expect. Nintendo Switch 2.
A new generation exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2
As had been rumored in recent weeks, Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2The Pokémon Company and Game Freak have confirmed that these are the first main installments designed specifically for the new console, leaving the original Switch behind in terms of the main series.
The preview aired during Presents points to a simultaneous worldwide launch in 2027Breaking with the almost annual release pattern the franchise had maintained, this extended window is interpreted as a way to have additional time for polish the performance, graphics, and content, after the criticism that recent titles in that field received.
The exact date has not yet been specified, but it has been made clear that both games will arrive on the same day and will share a basic structure and features, changing, as usual, certain details of the story, some exclusive Pokémon and the appearance of the protagonist depending on the version chosen.
Another noteworthy point of the announcement is the expansion of available languages: starting with these titles, the main saga will officially incorporate the Brazilian Portuguese, making it easier for more players to enjoy the adventure in their native language alongside the other common languages in Europe.
An open-world island region, between the wind and the sea
The first trailer has revealed that the new region of the tenth generation is built around a archipelago of islands and a vast oceanThere is constant emphasis on the presence of wind and wavesBoth from the title itself and through the scenes shown, it suggests a world design strongly linked to the climate and the marine environment.
The images reveal a interconnected open worldIt comprises islands of varying sizes, cliffs, mountains, coastal paths, and holiday-style beaches. Also visible are dense jungles, swamps, lava caves, and underwater areasThis indicates a considerable variety of biomes in which to find Pokémon with distinct ecosystems.
One of the details that has attracted the most attention is the explicit return of the diving mechanicsThe camera dives below the surface to show reefs, underwater currents, and Pokémon swimming at depth, suggesting that dives won't be limited to simple linear routes and could be integrated as an important part of exploration.
We've also seen the protagonist traverse vast stretches of land and sea, reinforcing the idea that traversing the map will require combine land travel, navigation and underwater segmentsIt remains to be seen whether the game will bring back iconic forms of transport or introduce new mounts better suited to the tone of this oceanic region.
Graphical leap and update on Nintendo Switch 2
Visually, the trailer has shown a noticeable graphical leap compared to Scarlet and PurpleAlthough there are still areas with room for improvement, such as some soils or details of the vegetation, the lighting, the draw distance and, above all, the treatment of water seem much more refined.
The ocean presents a more natural wave effectThe visuals, with reflections and foam that better suit the setting, and the islands, which feature a greater density of elements, enhance the feeling of a living world. Some shots in the trailer combine scenes with live actors and computer-generated environments to highlight the contrast between different generations of games and the new era that is beginning.
Special care is also evident in certain aesthetic details...like the clothing and appearance of the Pokémon in this coastal environment. The presence of Pikachu with a tan and summer attire suggests that the Cosmetic changes and contextual animations They will have more weight, something that is usually of particular interest to those who enjoy capturing moments and sharing images of the game.
In any case, the decision to reserve the launch for 2027 seems to be aimed at taking advantage of the Switch 2 hardware and avoiding repeating the performance problems that marred part of the experience in the previous generation.
The three starter Pokémon: Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua
One of the most anticipated revelations was, as always, the trio of starter pokemon who will accompany players from the beginning of the adventure. Game Freak has officially unveiled Browt, Pombon y Gecqua, three creatures that maintain the classic combination of Plant, Fire and Water types.
On the Plant type side, Browt is presented as the Pokémon Chick Bean: a small bird, 0,3 meters long and weighing 3,5 kilos, with the ability ThicknessIts design blends a chick-like appearance with plant details, following the line of previous initials that combine animal features with elements of flora.
The Fire type represents it Pombon, described as a Pokémon PuppyIt measures about 0,4 meters and weighs around 6,7 kilos, and has the classic ability sea flamesIts aesthetic has quickly won the hearts of a large part of the community, which is already debating whether its future evolutions should remain on all fours or adopt a bipedal posture closer to other modern starter Pokémon.
Finally, the Water-type starter is Gecqua, the Pokémon AquagecoStanding 0,3 meters tall and weighing 4,3 kilos, it sports an aquatic gecko design and possesses the ability TorrentIts combination of reptilian features and marine details fits especially well with a region where the ocean and diving are so prevalent.
The trailer closes precisely with a shot in which the three original characters appear together, solidifying their role as image of the new generationFor now, their evolutionary lines have not been shown, so we will have to wait for future developments to learn how these creatures will grow and what role they will play in competitive battles.
New Pikachu and more details about the protagonist
Besides the trio of initials, the video has revealed some other striking details about Pikachu, a historic emblem of the franchise. Two versions with a new look have been seen, described in various media outlets as new special variants, nicknamed in Japanese and in official notes with different names, but easily recognizable by their clothing and tan.
These variants, which some fans colloquially refer to as Mr. Windychu and Ms. WavychuThey sport summer clothes and a tanned skin tone, in keeping with the region's sunny climate. It's not yet clear whether these are regional variations, a type of costume similar to those seen in other games, or a new customization system.
In parallel, it has been confirmed that the The protagonist will have different outfits in each version. of the game. Although not many configuration menus have been shown, it seems clear that character customization will continue to be a focus, something already common in recent generations.
The emphasis on beach aesthetics, backpacks with beach accessories and summer accessories reinforces the impression of being in a region designed to explore both the coast and the interior, with a more vacation-like tone than in other recent releases.
List of Pokémon confirmed so far
Beyond Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua, the first trailer and promotional images have already allowed the identification of several dozen more. Returning PokémonAlthough only a limited number of species have been seen directly on screen so far, if their evolutionary lines are taken into account, the number of confirmed creatures approaches fifty.
The materials released show the same Pikachuaccompanied by its usual evolutionary line (Pichu and Raichu). Alongside them appear various Pokémon from previous generations, many of them associated with coastal environments, jungles, and swampy areas, which fits with the variety of biomes in the region.
Among the Pokémon seen are species such as Oddish and Gloom (with the implicit possibility that Vileplume and Bellossom may also be present), Krabby and its evolution Kingler, or Tangela, which is usually accompanied by its evolved form Tangrowth in the Pokédex of modern games.
The presence of Ledyba and Ledian, in addition to Fire-type Pokémon such as Slugma (suggesting the appearance of Magcargo) in volcanic areas. As for creatures associated with the sea, the trailer shows wingull and its evolution Pelipper, Tallow and Swellow, as well as Wailmer and Wailord, a true classic of ocean routes.
They have been seen in darker environments Duskull and, by extension, its evolutionary line up to Dusknoir. Other recognizable Pokémon are Corsola, closely linked to coral reefs, and the duo Mareanie and Toxapexwhich fits with rocky landscapes and tidal zones.
The beach and sand areas appear to be inhabited by sandygast (and predictably Palossand), while areas with lush vegetation have revealed tropius y CarnivineThe marshes and ponds would serve as a home for tympolis and its evolutions Palpitoad and Seismitoad.
As for more recent species, creatures such as nymble and its evolution Lokix, sizzlipede and Centiskorch, as well as Luminion (usually accompanied by Finneon), Frillish and Jellicentor the power line Tynamo, Eelektrik and Eelektross, which could take advantage of both ocean currents and energy facilities in the region.
The presence of all these evolutionary lines suggests that the Wind and Wave regional Pokédex will include a wide selection of classic species However, this doesn't include all of the more than one thousand creatures in the franchise. The Pokémon Company has explained on other occasions that it's difficult to incorporate every Pokémon into each new game without compromising gameplay balance and the development of new mechanics.
An announcement on the 30th anniversary and with an eye on Europe
The context of the announcement is significant: Pokémon Presents was held on February 27, the day that commemorates the release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan, and which this year marks the 30th anniversary of the franchiseTherefore, a large part of the presentation was dedicated to recalling key moments and reviewing the different generations before showing the new titles.
For the audience of Spain and EuropeThe release of Wind and Wave in 2027 marks the beginning of a new era in which the main series will be based directly on the Switch 2, a change that will also affect the official competitive circuit and live events. It is expected that future World Championships will gradually adapt their rules and formats to this generation as the release date approaches.
The fact that the premiere will be simultaneous worldwide guarantees that so that the European community can keep up with the pace of new developments at the same time as Japan and AmericaFurthermore, localization into Spanish (Spain) remains fully guaranteed, now complemented by the aforementioned support in Brazilian Portuguese, which significantly expands the reach in the Latin American market.
Meanwhile, The Pokémon Company will continue to support current titles and other side projects, but all signs point to fans' attention increasingly focusing on what these two games promise, especially as new trailers, story details, and, of course, more unreleased creatures from the tenth generation are revealed.
Based on everything shown so far, Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave are positioned as the great starting point of the new era of the saga on Switch 2With an island region heavily influenced by wind and sea, a trio of starters that have already begun to win over the public, and a set of classic species returning to accompany new trainers in 2027.
