Pokémon Gen 10 Hits Switch 2

The new generation follows the massive commercial success of *Pokémon Scarlet and Violet*, which have sold more than 27.15 million copies as of June 2025. This makes them the second-best-selling titles in the franchise's history, trailing only the original *Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue* games. The "biggest technical leap" claim comes after the series already experimented with a major formula change in *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*. That title was a critical and commercial success, selling over 14.8 million copies and receiving praise for its fresh approach to exploration and Pokémon catching. *Winds and Waves* will leverage the significant power of the Nintendo Switch 2. The new console features a custom Nvidia T239 processor and 12GB of RAM, a major upgrade from the original Switch's 4GB. This allows for enhanced performance and graphics, including 4K output when docked. Primary series developer Game Freak has historically operated with a relatively small staff for a major AAA franchise, numbering around 207 employees in 2024. The company has been gradually expanding its workforce to handle the increasing scale of creating large, open-world environments. The 2027 release window places the Gen 10 launch as a cornerstone of the franchise's 30th-anniversary celebrations. The anniversary festivities kicked off on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2026, which also saw the re-release of *Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen* for the Switch and Switch 2.