What Is The Next Pokémon Game?

Since its debut, the Pokémon series has kept things fresh by regularly releasing new mainline games. With spin-offs like Pokémon Snap or Pokémon Legends: Arceus, as well as remakes of older generations filling the gaps between mainline games, a new Pokémon game is always seemingly on the horizon. At the moment, we've finally gotten our first glimpse at Gen 10, and they're not the only games on the horizon.

It's been a while since the last mainline Pokémon games, as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022. More recently, however, we've gotten games like 2025's Pokémon Legends: Z-A and 2026's Pokémon Pokopia, with the latter receiving some truly glowing reviews. Hopefully, that could be a good sign for the future of Pokémon on the Switch 2, but it's hard to say for sure until the Gen 10 games are actually in our hands.

The Next Mainline Pokémon Games Are Winds & Waves

What Is The Next Pokémon Game About?

The next mainline Pokémon games will be Pokémon Winds and Waves, which take the franchise to a setting inspired by Southeast Asia. Revealed in the 2026 Pokémon Day showcase, these Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive games put the emphasis on a sunny natural setting. The official Pokémon website advertises "an open world to explore" with a "lush environment" where Pokémon "have developed their own unique systems."

This extends to obstacles provided by "forces of nature," which could make for an interesting gameplay shakeup. The varying appearance of water in the trailer, taken in concert with the title, suggests that changing ocean waves, storms, and more could keep exploration fresh.

As of the time of this writing, there's still no specific release date for Pokémon Winds and Waves, but we do know that they won't be coming until sometime in 2027.

One of the biggest reveals about Pokémon Winds and Waves so far is the line-up of starters.

• Browt - Grass Type (ability: Overgrow)
• Pombon - Fire Type (ability: Blaze)
• Gecqua - Water Type (ability: Torrent)

Browt is another squat, bird-like Pokémon, calling the Gen 7 starter Rowlet to mind. Pombon looks more or less like a fluffy orange Pomeranian, making it the most classically cute choice for those who like their starters cuddly. Gecqua, true to its name, invokes the appearance of a gecko, complete with an oversized head, gleaming eyes, and diminutive body reminiscent of Littlest Pet shop proportions.

The trailer also revealed a couple of Pikachu wearing some tropical beach garb. According to the website, these are Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu, but the details of their involvement remain mysterious.

While we have the starter and setting confirmations for Pokémon Winds & Waves, we haven't yet learned much about the gameplay. However, their status as mainline games makes a return to traditional Pokémon mechanics likely. There's always a chance that they could take a little inspiration from the dynamic battles of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but you should expect these to be turn-based games at their core.

The Next Pokémon Spin-Off Is Pokémon Champions

All About The Battles

Before the release of Pokémon Winds & Waves, the Pokémon Company is dropping another 2026 game in the form of Pokémon Champions. This game for both the Nintendo Switch family and mobile devices focuses on the battles, embracing an arena format similar to the classic Pokémon Stadium titles.

Oddly enough, the release date of Pokémon Champions is still vague at the time of this article's publication. It's been given an April 2026 release window, but as for what day it will be dropping, only Nintendo, the Pokémon Company, and Game Freak can say. Those who download the game shortly after launch will get a bonus Dragonite for doing so, and a launch campaign will bring Mega Evolution stones for a variety of Pokémon.

Pokémon Champions is a "free-to-start" game, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. Grinding out a great team might be easier with some purchases, potentially making the playing ground feel uneven. One nice way to get a leg up for free is the game's Pokémon Home integration, which will allow you to bring some past partners into the game.

What Pokémon Games Are Releasing After Winds & Waves?

Pokémon Gen 10 Games Should Arrive Fairly Soon

It's unclear just how many Pokémon games are in the works after Pokémon Winds & Waves, or whether we'll have any more surprises in between now and then. At any rate, it will be a long time before Gen 11 rolls around. In the meantime, spin-off projects like another Legends game could be major possibilities, as well as updates for games like Pokémon TCG Pocket and Champions.

Although no details of any such titles have been announced so far, it is worth noting that every Pokémon Generation so far has included several side games and other spin-offs. There have already been some leaks pointing to new Pokémon games arriving after the debut of Gen 10, although without any official confirmation, these rumors should naturally be treated with caution.

Furthermore, with there being no sign of Gen 9 featuring any remakes of previous core titles, expectations are high for Gen 10 to provide the next examples of such games. Following the established pattern, remakes of Pokémon Black and White are strongly believed to be due to be released within the next few years. With the franchise having enjoyed many striking gameplay improvements since the debut of Gen 5 over a decade ago, remakes of these titles have the potential to be truly special games.

For now, the closest thing to new remakes is the re-release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch eShop. These may not be new remakes, but after a long period of inaccessibility, it's at least nice to have them available again through an official channel.

What To Expect From Pokémon On Switch 2

The New Console Will Enable Better Functionality

The switch to the Nintendo Switch 2 will naturally have an immense influence on the future of the Pokémon franchise going forward. Pokémon Legends: Z-A made it clear that the experience of playing Pokémon games is significantly improved from the original Switch. While the game still featured some criticisms regarding its graphical limitations, the overall appearance and performance took a significant step up from the original Switch version.

As the first Pokémon Switch 2 exclusive, Pokémon Pokopia has also offered another look at the new system's increased capabilities. Pokopia takes a similar approach to the Dragon Quest Builders games, both of which were available on the original Switch, but there are once again some noticeable upgrades. One major standout is the draw distance, with the Switch 2 proving capable at rendering plenty of distant scenes in-game.

Like Pokopia, Winds and Waves will be exclusive to the Switch 2. This could be disappointing news for original Switch owners, but it should make it easier to take full advantage of what the hardware has to offer. The reveal trailer already highlights some notable improvements over Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with impressive water, ambient occlusion, and more setting it visually apart from previous 3D Pokémon games. Across the board, the Switch 2’s upgrades promise great things for Gen 10, which could very well be bigger and better than any of its predecessors.

Remakes of the Gen 5 games and a Let's Go version of the Gen 2 games have long been rumored, but not officially confirmed. All that is known right now is that Pokémon Winds and Waves will be the next mainline Pokémon games, and their release in 2027 will mark a new chapter for the Nintendo Switch 2. Until then, Pokémon Pokopia and the upcoming Pokémon Champions could be the perfect stop-gaps.