What to Expect from Pokemon Gen 10 in 2026

While 2025 saw the release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A and its downloadable content, it was a fairly calm year for the Pokemon franchise overall. However, 2026 is shaping up to be much more exciting, with the confirmed release of Pokemon Pokopia and strong hints that the next generation of Pokemon games – Generation 10 – is coming soon.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company haven’t officially announced anything about a potential tenth generation of Pokémon games yet, but fans are already excited and speculating about what it might include – a new region, new Pokémon, and even new evolutions for existing ones.

Will Pokemon Gen 10 Release in 2026?

Yeah, it’s looking super likely! Earlier this year, a huge leak – they called it the ‘Pokemon Teraleak 2’ – spilled a lot of internal plans. From what I’ve seen in those documents, the Gen 10 games are already pretty far into development and are planned to be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, coming out in 2026. I’m expecting we’ll get some official news on Pokemon Day in February, and then hopefully a release in fall or winter 2026. It’d follow a similar pattern to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet – they announced those in February 2022 and we got to play them in November of the same year.

Since the first Pokémon games came out in 1996, new generations have typically been released every three years. There have only been two exceptions: the jump from Ruby and Sapphire to Diamond and Pearl, and then from Diamond and Pearl to Black and White – both of those had a four-year gap. Given this consistent history, it’s very likely that the next generation of Pokémon (Gen 10) will be released in 2026, as Nintendo and The Pokémon Company haven’t deviated much from this schedule.

What We Know About Pokemon Gen 10

Most of what we know about the next generation of Pokémon games, Generation 10, comes from a large leak called Teraleak 2, with a few additional details surfacing throughout the latter half of 2025.

Game Titles: Pokemon Wind (or Winds)and Pokemon Wave (or Waves)
Region: A large chain of approximately 30 islands inspired by Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive

Mechanics

The next generation of Pokémon games will emphasize how players move around the world. Similar to the bikes in Pokémon Sword and Shield, you’ll use a Rotom-powered scooter for transportation. According to a report from Centro Leaks, you’ll be able to connect Pokémon to the scooter to use their unique abilities for getting around – like flying or swimming underwater. Originally, the developers considered letting players ride any Pokémon, but decided a Rotom Scooter would be a more practical solution.

The new region in Generation 10 will feature diverse environments like deserts, jungles, and volcanoes. Originally, some of these islands were planned to be randomly created each time you played, but those plans were reduced in scope as the overall project became more manageable. It’s unclear if random generation was completely removed, or if there will just be fewer randomly generated islands. However, the game will include social features similar to those found in large online games, such as raids, gathering places, and potentially maps that players can share with each other.

Okay, so I’m hearing that the new Pokémon games are going to focus heavily on weather! It sounds like weather-based moves will be a big deal, which makes sense considering the leaked game titles. We don’t know exactly how it’ll work yet, but people are guessing that some moves might get stronger in certain weather, or maybe you’ll only be able to use certain moves when it’s raining, sunny, or whatever. It’s all speculation right now, but it sounds really interesting!

Recent leaks suggest the next Pokémon games, Generation 10, will go back to the traditional turn-based battle system. This is a change from the real-time combat introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. However, the leaker also mentioned that powerful area-of-effect moves, which players enjoyed in Z-A, will likely return, potentially tied to weather effects in the game.

Gen 10 Pokemon: Starters, Legendaries, and More

Rumors suggest that the next generation of Pokémon games (Generation 10) will include a unique “Seed Pokémon” alongside the usual featured Legendary Pokémon on the game box.

Its initial form will likely be “cute and small,” similar to a Baby Pokemon.
It will be acquired near the start of the game.
The Seed Pokemon will evolve when visiting a special island, and its evolution will feature “infinite variations,” possibly pattern-based, similar to Spinda’s various patterns (to a higher degree).
The Seed Pokemon will be required to battle each game’s Box Legendary.

Like previous games, this new installment will also include powerful Legendary Pokemon known as “Box Legendaries.” Leaked information suggests these Legendaries are based on the themes of waves and storms, and are nicknamed “grandmother” and “grandfather.” The “grandfather” Legendary is associated with the wind, while the “grandmother” is linked to the waves. They live on a secluded island and can only be encountered and caught by players who have successfully raised their initial “Seed” Pokemon.

Recent leaks have revealed more details about Pokémon in the upcoming Generation 10. Several original Pokémon, like Pikachu, Charizard, Machamp, and Snorlax – seen in a leaked image – are expected to get new looks and updated designs. A preview of the redesigned Pikachu was briefly posted by Centro Leaks but received criticism from fans before being removed. Lucario and Sandygast were also spotted in the leaked screenshots.

Pikachu
Charizard
Machamp
Snorlax
Lucario
Sandygast

It looks like the big, challenging battles against powerful Pokémon, similar to the Titans in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, are coming back in the next generation of games. Even better, players will likely be able to pet every Pokémon they find – a feature fans have wanted for a long time. However, because the ability to ride all Pokémon was cut from a previous game, there’s a chance the petting feature might not make the final cut either.

Story and Structure

The new Generation 10 Pokémon games are rumored to start in a bustling city. Instead of receiving their first Pokémon from a professor, players will likely catch it while stuck in traffic. A professor will be present, but they’re described as a survival expert focused on the region’s weather patterns. Leaks suggest the game will have 18 Gyms, each specializing in a different Pokémon type. It’s currently unknown whether these will function like traditional Gyms or the “Trials” from Pokémon Sun and Moon, but battles against powerful, large Pokémon appear to be a key part of the challenge.

The game’s main story will focus on learning to survive and live alongside Pokémon. The villains will be a group trying to build more cities and attract tourists. A key theme of this new generation will be sustainability. One interesting feature is “Pokémon Rescue,” where players use a Rotom Drone to find and help sick, injured, or lost Pokémon – a concept inspired by real-world wildlife conservation. This rescue mechanic also feels similar to the gameplay found in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, where helping Pokémon in trouble is a common element.

Leaks suggest the upcoming Pokémon games (Generation 10) will have several different endings, determined by the choices players make throughout the game. These choices could include things like…

Choosing to skip or challenge Gyms (most or all may be non-mandatory)
Evolving the Seed Pokemon
Fighting/catching the Box Legendaries
Confronting the villainous group

The new games are designed to let players reach the ending relatively quickly once they can move around the island, though they might encounter difficult battles with weaker Pokémon if they do. This freedom to quickly finish the game could make it very popular with players who enjoy speedrunning and completing challenges.

More Information Is Likely Coming On Pokemon Day 2026

Every year on February 27th, Pokémon Day celebrates the original Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green. The day usually includes a “Pokémon Presents” livestream with big announcements. Many fans expect Pokémon Day 2026 to reveal the next generation of games – Generation 10 – possibly including when they’ll be released and what the starter Pokémon will look like. Because 2026 is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, the celebration could be the biggest one yet.

As a huge Pokémon fan, I’m already looking forward to Pokémon Day 2026 – that’s when we’ll probably get more details about the new Generation 10 games! It looks like we’ll have to wait until fall or winter of 2026 to actually play them, but thankfully, there’s Pokémon Pokopia coming out on March 5th! It’s a cozy life simulator, and it’ll be perfect to keep us entertained while we wait for the next big Pokémon adventure.

2026 promises to be a big year for Pokémon fans! After a calmer 2025, a new generation of games is expected, along with other exciting projects currently in the works. We won’t have to wait long for more details, as Pokémon Day is just around the corner.

2025-12-17 16:08