Pokémon Wind & Waves: Everything We Know About Gen 10 Leaks

As a Pokémon fan, I was shocked to hear about this massive data leak! It seems like a ton of info about future games has been revealed, and it looks like we’re finally getting details on Generation 10 – and people are saying it might be called ‘Wind & Waves’! It’s crazy to think how much info is out there now.

Recent leaks have revealed plans for ‘Generation 10,’ including future games, downloadable content, and hints that the next installments will feature elements commonly found in massive multiplayer online games.

It’s hard to follow all the leaks about the new Pokémon generation, Wind & Waves, but this guide will help you stay updated on everything that’s been revealed.

Everything We Know About Pokémon Wind & Waves

Game Location

The next generation of Pokémon games will take place in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia, marking a return to the Asian continent after recent games were set in Europe and Hawaii.

It seems the new game’s island setting will be inspired by Hawaii, much like the Sun & Moon games. While earlier reports suggested a Greek island theme, it now looks like Indonesia and nearby countries will be the main inspiration.

Seed Pokémon

The next Pokémon generation, likely the tenth, is rumored to include new Pokémon called ‘Seed Pokémon’ with a special evolution feature. How these Pokémon evolve will depend on the specific island players find in the game, resulting in different colors and patterns for their evolved forms.

There’s been some misunderstanding because the Japanese word translated as ‘Seed’ for Pokémon descriptions is also used to mean ‘Basic’ in the trading card game. This suggests the Pokémon might actually be ‘Basic’ rather than a ‘Seed’ type, but the way it evolves still appears to be correct.

Underwater Exploration

After a long absence since the Hoenn region games, underwater exploration is making a comeback in the upcoming Generation 10 Pokémon games. Leaks and datamined images indicate this will be a major part of the experience, potentially letting players freely explore underwater areas while riding on Lumineon. Unlike previous underwater sections, it appears you won’t be limited to set paths.

Riding & Petting Mechanics

Pokémon games have featured riding Pokémon before, like in Pokémon Legends: Arceus where you could use different Pokémon as mounts. However, the next generation of games appears to be expanding on this idea significantly. It looks like you’ll be able to ride or interact with almost any Pokémon, probably based on how big they are.

These details were originally included in the plans from 2020, but the feature might have changed or been dropped during the development process.

Model Redesigns

It’s common for Pokémon to receive updated designs with each new generation, and it looks like that’s happening again with Generation 10. Images are circulating that compare Pokémon’s new looks to their previous models.

Okay, so I’m really excited to hear that Pokémon like Pikachu, Charizard, Lumineon, and Machamp are getting completely new models in the next generation! It sounds like the developers are really updating things. While those four were specifically mentioned, I’m guessing pretty much *all* the Pokémon will get some kind of visual update to fit the new style.

MMO Features

According to recent leaks, Generation 10 will include massively multiplayer online (MMO) features, blending open-world gameplay with traditional MMO elements. While not officially confirmed, it appears exploration will be best suited for groups and parties, while central areas will function as global hubs where players from all over the world can connect.

These new features appear to be a trial run for the larger Pokémon Seed project, a game aiming to connect regions like Hoenn and Sinnoh. This strategy is similar to how Game Freak previously introduced open-world elements – they first tested them in Legends: Arceus before fully implementing them in the expansive world of Scarlet & Violet.

Release Window

The next generation of Pokémon games, Wind & Waves, is planned to release in 2026, which also marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. This new release will be four years after Scarlet & Violet, a bit longer than the typical three-year gap between generations.

So, things have changed, apparently. I originally heard they were aiming for Generation 10 to come out in 2025, probably to get everyone hyped with the Switch 2 launch, and they were planning on releasing Legends: Z-A in 2024. But now it looks like that’s not happening at all, which is a bit of a surprise.

Procedural Generation

Generation 10 will likely feature a lot of randomly created islands for players to discover. If you find an island you really like, you’ll be able to share it with your friends.

We don’t yet know if islands will be permanent places you can return to as a ‘home base,’ or if they’re just for discovering new areas and Pokémon.

Switch 2 Exclusive

As expected, the new Pokémon game, Wind & Waves (Generation 10), will only be released on the Switch 2. Unlike Pokémon Legends: Z-A, it won’t be playable on the original Switch.

Okay, so it sounds like Pokémon Legends: Z-A is probably going to be the last big Pokémon game for the original Switch. Apparently, they’re already working on a new one called Pokopia, but that one’s confirmed to only be playable on the Switch 2 when it comes out next year. It’s a bit sad to see the Switch era ending, but exciting to think about what’s coming!

Sustainable Development Goals

Like the recent Pokémon Scarlet & Violet games, this new installment will feature a variety of goals to complete instead of simply collecting gym badges. These goals will be based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The game features 18 challenges, each focused on a different skill. Finishing all of them lets you fight the champion. But, if you prefer, you can skip these challenges and go directly to the final boss once you’ve unlocked open-water exploration.

Characters

We’ve learned about some of the characters in the story. The main character is a child whose life changes when their mother wins the lottery and a trip. The story will also focus on the child’s sibling, and there’s a friend or rival who will provide challenges and competition.

The villain is the head of a hotel chain who originally wanted to create resorts where people and Pokémon could live together peacefully. But after a tragic accident where a child died, he changed his beliefs. The child had a younger sibling who survived and is still very innocent and unaware of what happened.

Okay, so in this game, the bad guys aren’t your typical villains – they’re a land development team! Basically, they’re tearing up the environment to build more stuff and make a buck, and it seems like the hotel owner is pulling the strings. Also, the professor character is a cool twist – he’s only 21 and they’re calling him the ‘Survival Professor.’ He’s not just book smart, he’s actually really good at surviving in the wild, which is a huge part of who he is.

You can find a complete list of Pokémon in Legends: Z-A in the full Pokédex. Some powerful Z-A Mega Evolutions will only be available to players who compete in online ranked battles.

2025-10-14 12:50