Pokemon fans finally got their first look at the franchise's next big adventure during Pokemon Presents 2026, when Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves were officially revealed as the next mainline entries in the series. These two titles bring with them the highly anticipated Gen 10 roster of Pokemon, and are currently set to launch globally on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. While the release window is a bit later than many likely were hoping for, it's nonetheless exciting that the announcement has finally been made, especially after Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves saw multiple leaks and rumors circulating in recent months.
Details like the starter Pokemon for Winds and Waves and the world the games will be set in were undoubtedly at the forefront of fans' minds before and after the reveal, but one rather peculiar feature involves the outfit the player character will wear. Specifically, the outfit the player's trainer wears at the start of the game actually changes based on which version they're playing. It's a small yet stylish twist on a long-standing tradition of version-exclusive features in the series, giving players even more incentive to buy one, the other, or both.
Every Pokemon Officially Confirmed for Winds and Waves So Far
Pokemon Winds and Waves' official reveal is finally here, and the trailer confirms several returning Pokemon for Gen 10 as well as the new starters.
Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves Feature Unique Outfits for Players
Like the many paired Pokemon games before it, Winds and Waves will feature their own exclusive elements, from different wild Pokemon rosters to potentially even unique story beats. But this time, that difference starts with the player character's appearance. According to the announcement trailer for Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Waves, as well as info provided on the game's official website, trainers in Pokemon Winds sport a lighter, safari-inspired wardrobe with a white and light blue-accented hat and matching backpack, while Pokemon Waves trainers' outfits feature deeper blue hues and a baseball cap style.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Ultimately, that design choice makes the version players choose to purchase even more personal, as it's no longer only about the Pokemon in the game but about the player's avatar. For players who already enjoy tweaking hairstyles, accessories, and other cosmetic features in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, having a version-specific signature outfit in Pokemon Winds and Waves makes its first impression hit a little harder.
Where Fashion Could Possibly Meet Function
While the limited amount of details about the exclusive outfits for Pokemon Winds and Waves makes them seem like they will be a purely cosmetic touch, Pokemon history suggests they could (or could not) affect each title's gameplay in some way. Earlier entries like Scarlet and Violet used version-exclusive school uniforms as a narrative justification for initial outfit choices, but they also eventually allowed players to mix and match their clothing more freely. Whether Winds and Waves does something similar in terms of character customization isn't clear yet, but it's nonetheless a possibility.
With Pokemon Winds and Waves singling out this feature, however, if each game does have cosmetic customization beyond the outfits that have already been revealed, it's likely any additional cosmetics will be locked to the same style and perhaps the same color palette. For some players, that means little more than a fun visual touch, but it might fuel the collector's mindset of others, giving them even more reason to purchase both versions of the upcoming Pokemon game.
Trainers in Pokemon Winds sport a lighter, safari-inspired wardrobe with a white and light blue-accented hat and matching backpack, while Pokemon Waves trainers' outfits feature deeper blue hues and a baseball cap style.
As Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves gear up for a 2027 launch, Game Freak could be more candid about the extent of character customization in each game, but for now, there is already some incentive to buy either game or both beyond the Pokemon themselves. Apart from that, more details about each game's exclusive Pokemon, or their potentially unique story beats, mechanics, and even environments will presumably be revealed as the launch window approaches. Until then, fans can be thinking about which avatar they might want to rock first, and ultimately which version of Pokemon Gen 10 they want to bring home with them.
- Released
- 2027
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company, Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Prequel(s)
- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, RPG, Open-World
