If you want to play a Pokémon open-world RPG now—or have a Nintendo Switch family system but not a Switch 2—play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. If you can wait and have or plan to get a Nintendo Switch 2, consider Pokémon Winds or Pokémon Waves, scheduled for worldwide release in 2027. There is not enough confirmed information to say whether the upcoming games will be better: their footage is explicitly non-final.
At a glance: play now or wait?
| What matters to you | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want a game available now | Scarlet or Violet | Both are released Nintendo Switch RPGs with an open-world adventure and three named story paths. |
| You own only a Nintendo Switch family system | Scarlet or Violet | Winds and Waves are announced as Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives. |
| You can wait until 2027 and have or plan to get Switch 2 | Consider Winds or Waves | The new pair is planned for a simultaneous worldwide launch in 2027, but no specific date has been announced. |
| You are choosing based on story, combat, performance, or overall quality | Wait for more information on Winds and Waves | Their final mechanics and quality cannot yet be compared fairly with released games. |
What is confirmed about Pokémon Winds and Waves?
Announced by The Pokémon Company International on February 27, 2026, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are upcoming entries in the Pokémon RPG series. They are planned to launch simultaneously worldwide in 2027, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. The official announcement describes an open world of windswept islands and a vast ocean, with Pokémon ecosystems shaped by the environment. It also says players will team up with Pokémon to overcome obstacles and forces of nature. See the official Pokémon announcement.
Confirmed first partner Pokémon
- Browt: Grass type, Bean Chick Pokémon.
- Pombon: Fire type, Puppy Pokémon.
- Gecqua: Water type, Water Gecko Pokémon.
The announcement also shows special Pikachu called Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu, but does not specify their role in the adventure. The protagonists’ outfits differ between the two versions; a full list of version-exclusive content has not been announced.
What the footage can—and cannot—tell you
The official game page says: “Screenshots and footage are from a product in development and not final. Actual gameplay experience may vary.” The announcement establishes the setting and some broad adventure details, but not enough to judge final combat, story, performance, or quality.
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What Scarlet and Violet offer now
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet were released for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022. Nintendo lists physical Game Card and download editions and describes the pair as open-world adventures. Nintendo’s Scarlet page links to the paired Violet version.
Three story paths to explore
Rather than following just one main route, players can move among three grand story paths, as summarized by Play Nintendo:
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- Victory Road: take on Gym challenges.
- Path of Legends: face Titan Pokémon.
- Starfall Street: challenge Team Star.
Traversal uses Koraidon in Scarlet or Miraidon in Violet. The games also feature the Terastal Phenomenon. These are established features of the released pair; the official information available for Winds and Waves does not yet confirm equivalent mechanics.
How version choice affects your decision
For Winds and Waves, the confirmed difference is that the main characters’ outfits vary by version. The official announcement has not yet detailed all version-exclusive content, so there is not enough information to recommend one over the other on that basis.
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Scarlet and Violet are separate versions, and their downloadable content is version-specific. Nintendo states that The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero for Scarlet works only with Scarlet; Violet requires its own DLC version. If you want the DLC for both games, you need both versions. Check Nintendo’s DLC purchase and compatibility information before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is still unknown about Winds and Waves?
The official information available does not establish the upcoming games’ final combat details, story length or quality, postgame depth, performance, price, exact 2027 release date, or complete version-exclusive content. It also does not explain how Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu fit into the story. Those details remain open questions, not reasons to assume the games will be better or worse.
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Which should you play?
- Choose Scarlet or Violet if you want a Pokémon open-world RPG now, or your available hardware is in the Nintendo Switch family.
- Wait for Winds or Waves if you can wait for the planned 2027 launch and have or intend to get a Nintendo Switch 2.
- Do not choose on assumed quality differences yet: the new games are still in development, and the confirmed information is not enough for a fair gameplay comparison.
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