Pokémon Winds and Waves Announced for Nintendo Switch 2 as Franchise Celebrates 30 Years
The Pokémon Company marked Pokémon Day 2026 by unveiling Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the next mainline RPG entries scheduled for release in 2027 on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Revealed during the annual Pokémon Presents broadcast, the new titles continue the franchise’s push into large-scale open-world design, this time set across windswept islands and a vast ocean environment. The announcement anchors the broader 30th anniversary campaign celebrating the original launch of Pokémon Red and Green in 1996.
New Region, New Starters, Expanded Language Support
Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves introduce three new starter Pokémon: Browt (Grass), Pombon (Fire), and Gecqua (Water). As with previous dual releases, character outfits will differ by version.
The games also add Brazilian Portuguese as an official selectable language, signaling a continued effort to expand accessibility in key global markets. Localization remains a strategic focus as Pokémon strengthens its reach in Latin America and beyond.
Competitive Focus: Pokémon Champions and Worlds 2026
The presentation also confirmed that Pokémon Champions launches in April 2026 on Nintendo Switch, with a mobile version arriving later this year. The title connects to Pokémon HOME and integrates with Pokémon Legends: Z-A, allowing compatible Pokémon transfers and unlocking special Mega Stone rewards.
Notably, Pokémon Champions will feature on the main stage at the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. Registration for both the World Championships and PokémonXP convention runs from April 2 to April 23, reinforcing the franchise’s structured competitive ecosystem.
The continued expansion of the Video Game Championships circuit shows The Pokémon Company’s commitment to formalized esports infrastructure as it enters its fourth decade.
FireRed and LeafGreen Return on Nintendo Switch
In a direct nod to franchise history, Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are now available digitally on Nintendo Switch via the eShop and My Nintendo Store.
The re-release strengthens the anniversary narrative while monetizing nostalgia, a strategy that has consistently driven engagement across legacy Pokémon titles.
Pokémon TCG and Cross-Platform Expansion
The Pokémon Trading Card Game will debut its first globally synchronized expansion in 2026, marking a structural shift in how The Pokémon Company coordinates international product launches.
Meanwhile, updates were confirmed for Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, Pokémon Masters EX, Pokémon Sleep, and Pokémon Café ReMix — signaling that the 30th anniversary extends beyond console releases into mobile and live-service ecosystems.
Mega Garchomp Z and Ongoing Live Content
A new Mystery Gift event in Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension introduces Mega Garchomp Z.
Players can unlock a hyperspace distortion encounter to obtain a Garchompite Z stone, continuing the franchise’s cadence of timed in-game events tied to major announcements.
What Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Means Going Forward
With Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves set for 2027 and Pokémon Champions entering the competitive spotlight this year, The Pokémon Company is balancing legacy content with forward-looking ecosystem growth.
As Pokémon approaches its fourth decade, the strategy is clear: strengthen competitive play, deepen cross-platform connectivity, and sustain long-term global engagement — all while preparing Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves to define the next generation on Nintendo Switch 2.