Pokemon Winds and Waves Will Have a Leveled Playing Field After FireRed and LeafGreen, Legends: Z-A

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The next major Pokémon games, titled Pokémon Winds and Waves, are breaking a long-standing series tradition. While only a short teaser trailer has been released, the games are confirmed to launch in 2027 – four and a half to five years after the release of the ninth generation games. This is significant because fans expect each new generation to introduce a variety of new Pokémon and gameplay features. The most recent additions to the Pokémon roster were in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in 2022, and while Pokémon Legends: Z-A will feature new Mega Evolutions, it doesn’t offer the same experience as discovering entirely new creatures.

This situation isn’t necessarily negative for Pokémon collectors. It gives them more time to complete their collections, or a head start when new Pokémon are released – possibly both. This is especially important now with games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the upcoming Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen introducing many Legendary and Mythical Pokémon that can’t be obtained natively on the Switch or Switch 2. The 2027 release of Pokémon Winds and Waves should give fans access to most of these previously unavailable Pokémon, which is a significant improvement over what was offered in the eighth and ninth generations of games.

Every Legendary and Mythical Pokemon in Legends: Z-A, FireRed and LeafGreen (And Can They Be Shiny)

Many fans consider the Dynamax Adventure mode in Pokemon Sword and Shield to be a highlight of the series, as it offered a chance to find rare and shiny Legendary Pokemon. While still a great feature, it was added quite late in the game’s life. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s The Indigo Disk DLC attempted something similar with returning Legendaries, but players weren’t thrilled because those Pokemon couldn’t be found in their shiny forms. Fortunately, upcoming games Pokemon Legends: Z-A and the remakes Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are addressing this issue and giving players more opportunities to catch shiny Pokemon.

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Throughout these games, you have the opportunity to catch some of the most powerful Legendary Pokémon, find their shiny versions, and even collect several rare Mythical Pokémon. Here’s a list of what you can find:

  • Articuno (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Seafoam Islands, can be shiny)
  • Zapdos (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Power Plant, can be shiny)
  • Moltres (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Mt. Ember, can be shiny)
  • Mewtwo (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Cerulean Cave, can be shiny; Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Lysandre Labs, shiny-locked)
  • Mew (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, undetermined if available, but an event could be added later)
  • Raikou (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, roaming Kanto post-game, can be shiny)
  • Entei (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, roaming Kanto post-game, can be shiny)
  • Suicune (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, roaming Kanto post-game, can be shiny)
  • Ho-Oh (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Navel Rock, can be shiny)
  • Lugia (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Navel Rock, can be shiny)
  • Celebi (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, undetermined if available, but an event could be added later)
  • Latias (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, can be shiny)
  • Latios (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, can be shiny)
  • Kyogre (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Groudon (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Rayquaza (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Deoxys (Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, post-game event, can be shiny)
  • Heatran (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Darkrai (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Cobalion (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, can be shiny)
  • Terrakion (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, can be shiny)
  • Virizion (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, can be shiny)
  • Keldeo (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Meloetta (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Genesect (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Xerneas (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, main story, shiny-locked)
  • Yveltal (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, main story, shiny-locked)
  • Zygarde (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, main story, shiny-locked)
  • Diancie (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, event-only, shiny-locked)
  • Hoopa (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Volcanion (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Magearna (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Marshadow (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Zeraora (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Meltan (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)
  • Melmetal (Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension DLC, shiny-locked)

Returning Legendary and Mythical Pokemon in Switch Games

It’s highly likely that Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald will be released on Switch and Switch 2, as data found within the FireRed and LeafGreen releases suggests they are being ported. This could also make other Pokemon, such as Registeel, Regice, and Regirock, readily available. Jirachi might be added as well, though it’s currently obtainable in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl along with Manaphy (and consequently, Phione).

As a Pokémon gamer, it’s awesome how Nintendo’s been adding all the missing Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to the Switch games over time. Like, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, I could finally catch Arceus itself, plus all the Legendaries and Mythicals from Generation 4, and even some extras like the Weather Trio from Gen 5 – they even added Enamorus! Then, with Scarlet and Violet, they included the rest of the Gen 5 Legendaries and all the Legendaries from Generation 7, completing the collection. It’s been a really satisfying experience getting to catch them all!

Many of the Pokémon featured in the FireRed and LeafGreen games have been available in recent versions, including those from Generation 9. The likely return of Mew and Celebi will be exciting for collectors as we look forward to Pokémon Winds and Waves. It’s possible that the next official rules for competitive battling won’t actually use Pokémon from Generation 10 right away, and could instead be implemented in Pokémon Champions. Regardless, the Switch games have brought back most of the Pokémon that were previously missing, which will be a major benefit when Generation 10 is officially released.

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2026-03-29 04:05