Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will launch in 2027, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, on the same day worldwide. The exact day and month have not been announced yet.
When will Pokémon Winds and Waves be released?
Officially, in 2027. Since Sword and Shield in 2019, the main games in the series have launched on the same day around the world, and that will be the case again: players in France will not have to wait after Japan or America.
Mainline games almost always launch in autumn, between mid-October and late November, to take advantage of the holiday season. If Winds and Waves follows that habit, the release would fall in autumn 2027.
How long between the announcement and the release?
For most games, about nine months passed between the announcement and the release. Pokémon Legends: Z-A was the exception: like Winds and Waves, it was announced more than a year and a half before its release.
| Games | Announcement | Release in France | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon X and Y | January 8, 2013 | October 12, 2013 | 9 months |
| Pokémon Sun and Moon | February 26, 2016 | November 23, 2016 | 9 months |
| Pokémon Sword and Shield | February 27, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | 8.5 months |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl | February 26, 2021 | November 19, 2021 | 9 months |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | February 26, 2021 | January 28, 2022 | 11 months |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | February 27, 2022 | November 18, 2022 | 9 months |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | February 27, 2024 | October 16, 2025 | 19.5 months |
| Pokémon Winds and Waves | February 27, 2026 | 2027 | 10 to 22 months |
When will we know the exact date?
For Sword and Shield as well as Scarlet and Violet, the precise date was revealed in early June, at the same time as the legendary Pokémon on the boxes, about five months before release. Two events are worth watching in 2027:
- February 27, 2027, Pokémon Day. Every year since 2022, a Pokémon Presents has aired on that day. It would be the ideal moment for a new trailer.
- The start of summer 2027. If the release is in autumn, the date should land between June and August, along with a more detailed presentation of the game.
How much will Pokémon Winds and Waves cost?
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have announced no price. Each version will be sold separately, as always; a bundle containing both games existed for Sword and Shield as well as for Scarlet and Violet, but nothing has been announced for Winds and Waves.
In May 2026, a listing from a German online retailer showed €79.99 per game. This kind of price is a placeholder, set while waiting for real information: it should not be relied upon.
Can you pre-order Pokémon Winds and Waves?
Not officially. Pre-orders generally open on the Nintendo eShop and at retailers when the release date is announced. Some stores create pre-order listings before then, with no definitive date or price: it is better to wait for the official announcement to know the exact contents of the editions and any bonuses.
We will update this page as soon as pre-orders open. In the meantime, our Pokémon shopping guide gathers the consoles and games currently available.
Is Pokémon Winds and Waves coming out in 2026?
No. The release is announced for 2027. No delay or move-up has been announced.
Will the release be the same in France as in Japan?
Yes. The Pokémon Company has announced a simultaneous worldwide release: the game will launch on the same day in France, Japan and America.
Will Pokémon Winds and Waves be translated into French?
Yes. French is one of the eleven languages announced on the official website, along with English, German, Italian, Spanish and, for the first time, Brazilian Portuguese.
Where can I follow the release date announcement?
On this page, updated with every announcement, and during the Pokémon Presents, notably the Pokémon Day one on February 27.
Read also: do you need a Switch 2? · getting ready for 2027 · rumors and leaks
