Pokemon 30th anniversary celebration: Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves titles announced for Nintendo Switch 2

The Pokemon Company has marked 30 years of the Pokemon franchise with a Pokemon Presents video presentation. In the video, the Japanese gaming company revealed two new games for the decades-old Pokemon franchise: Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves. During the presentation, the company also announced updates across its gaming, esports and trading card ecosystem.

The presentation was streamed globally on Pokemon Day, which commemorates the launch of Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green in Japan on February 27, 1996. The announcements come as the franchise rolls out a yearlong 30th anniversary campaign titled and as Pokemon Go completes 10 years since its launch.

Developed by Game Freak, Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves are scheduled to release in 2027 on the Nintendo Switch 2. The titles will feature an open-world setting with island landscapes and expansive ocean areas.

Players will take on the role of a new protagonist, with version-specific outfits. At the beginning of the adventure, Trainers will choose from three starter Pokemon:

The games will also introduce Brazilian Portuguese as a selectable language option, expanding accessibility for players in additional markets.

In 2026, San Francisco will host the Pokemon World Championships and the recently revealed PokemonXP. PokemonXP is marketed as a convention that caters to fans, offering themed experiences and interactive activities. From April 2 to April 23, trainers can sign up for a multi-day interest list. Details regarding ticketing will be sent to the chosen participants at a later time. One-day ticket sales are anticipated to begin in the early summer.

Pokemon Champions is a new game scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch in April 2026, with a mobile version to follow later this year. The game is compatible with Pokemon Home, which allows players to send compatible Pokemon from Pokemon Legends Z-A to battle in Pokemon Champions.

Players who transfer specific Pokemon originally obtained in Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be able to claim rewards, including Mega Stones such as Chesnaughtite, Delphoxite and Greninjite. Pokemon Champions is also expected to feature on the main stage at the 2026 Pokemon World Championships.

Pokemon Pokopia is scheduled to launch on March 5, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2. The game focuses on town-building and cooperative play. It will support multiplayer for up to four players. Trainers can visit each other’s towns and bring one Pokemon companion to explore shared environments.

Pokemon Trading Card Game will introduce a new expansion in 2026 as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations. The expansion is planned to launch simultaneously in participating markets worldwide, followed by additional related product releases throughout the year. Further details about the expansion will be shared in the coming months.

To commemorate the anniversary, Pokemon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are now available digitally on Nintendo Switch. In addition, the company introduced the Pokémon Red & Blue Game Music Collection: Game Boy Jukebox, a device styled after the original Game Boy that plays music and sound effects from early Pokemon titles.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension will introduce a new form, Mega Garchomp Z. Players can claim a new Mystery Gift that unlocks access to a special hyperspace distortion battle. Defeating Mega Garchomp Z allows players to obtain a Garchompite Z stone.