The big Pokémon Presents showcase for a very special 30th Anniversary Pokémon Day (February 27, 2026) has come and gone, and as many had hoped we got our very first look at the next wave of mainline Pokémon games as part of the presentation.
Titled Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, this new pair of entries is set in a Southeast Asia-inspired region full of tropical beauty from glistening beaches to palm trees, volcanoes, seaside resorts and vibrant coral reefs. Somewhat surprisingly, these new titles are not launching this year in step with the series’ big anniversary but are instead coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027 – implying that The Pokémon Company and Game Freak are taking the necessary time to ensure they get everything right for launch.
Take a look at the trailer in full below, in case you’re yet to see it or just want to soak it all in again!
This fairly lengthy reveal trailer shows off some spectacular sights, looking significantly improved over the troubled Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet both technically and aesthetically. Water, especially, looks to be a huge focus here with some gorgeous ocean waves, murky swamps, crystal-clear shores and a brief shot that heavily implies we’ll be heading underwater to explore for the first time since Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.
What’s more, the trailer also revealed the three partner Pokémon that we’ll be choosing from at the beginning of the games, and the entire Pokémon fandom seems to be in agreeance that this is one of the strongest starter line-ups we’ve seen in a hot minute. The Fire-type pup in the middle is Pombon, the gecko-looking Water cutie on the right is Gecqua, and the (vastly superior) bird with the epic brows is, well, Browt!
That pair of Pikachu at the beginning of the trailer aren’t there for the sake of it either. As per The Pokémon Company’s official post, your chosen trainer in the game will sport one of two distinct outfits depending on whether you’re playing Winds or Waves, including those same hats. There is supposedly even more to learn about Mr. Windychu and Mrs. Wavychu (…yes, really), which we’ll find out at some point between now and launch.
In other Pokémon Presents news, Pokémon Champions finally has a release window (and it’s soon), the new Pokémon TCG Pocket app expansion is out, and so are Switch versions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen!
What did you think of the Pokémon Winds and Waves announcement? Which starter will you be choosing?