Pokemon Winds and Waves release date: official information
| Release window | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Exact date | Not announced yet |
| Launch type | Simultaneous worldwide release |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive) |
| Price | Not announced yet |
| Pre-orders | Not officially open |
| Editions / double pack | Not announced yet |
The official site says the games "will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in a simultaneous worldwide release in 2027". The press release from February 27, 2026 says the same: "scheduled for release in 2027 on the Nintendo Switch 2 system".
Why there is no exact date yet
The Pokémon Company usually announces a main-series game around Pokémon Day (February 27) and gives the exact date later in the year, often in a summer Pokémon Presents. Winds and Waves followed the first half of that pattern but with a longer gap: the reveal came in 2026, while the release is 2027. Since the reveal, no new official trailer or date has been released as of the last update of this page.
How past Pokemon release dates compare
Recent generations were announced early in the year and released in October or November of the same year. Winds and Waves breaks that pattern with a release window in the following year.
| Game | Announced | Released | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon X and Y | Jan 8, 2013 | Oct 12, 2013 | 3DS |
| Pokémon Sun and Moon | Feb 26, 2016 | Nov 18, 2016 | 3DS |
| Pokémon Sword and Shield | Feb 27, 2019 | Nov 15, 2019 | Switch |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | Feb 27, 2022 | Nov 18, 2022 | Switch |
| Pokémon Winds and Waves | Feb 27, 2026 | 2027 (date not announced) | Switch 2 |
Past dates are historical facts; they do not predict the Winds and Waves date. If the series' habit of a late-year launch holds, a 2027 autumn release would fit, but that is a pattern, not an announcement.
Platforms: Switch 2 only
Winds and Waves are the first main-series Pokémon RPGs made exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. No version for the original Switch, PC or mobile has been announced. If you are planning to buy a console for it, the Switch 2 is the only confirmed way to play.
Languages
The press release confirms that, beginning with Winds and Waves, Brazilian Portuguese will be officially supported as a selectable language. The full language list has not been published yet.
Rumoured dates
Some leak roundups mention an internal target of September 2027, and others say "late 2027". These come from unofficial sources and old development data. Treat them as rumours until Nintendo confirms. We list them, clearly labelled, on our leaks vs confirmed page.
How to get ready before launch
- Read up on the three starters and their matchups.
- Brush up on the type chart with our type calculator and its quiz.
- Practise balanced teams in the Pokemon team builder.
- Bookmark the Winds and Waves hub; we update it when news drops.
Want something to play now? Try today's Daily Red battle or the daily Who's That Pokémon quiz.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the official Winds and Waves site, The Pokémon Company press release and Serebii. Anything not announced is marked as such; we update this page when Nintendo or The Pokémon Company share news.