Pokemon Legends: Winds and Waves, the next mainline entry in the long-running series and a confirmed exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, is reportedly on track to introduce a substantial number of new Pokemon and their regional forms. According to reports originating from Centro Leaks, a usually reliable source for Pokemon-related information, the game may feature as many as 300 new Pokemon and forms. This figure significantly surpasses the typical introduction of around 100 new creatures seen in most previous generations, with Generations 6 through 9 being notable exceptions that introduced fewer new Pokemon.
While the prospect of 300 new Pokemon is exciting for fans, the number encompasses not only brand-new pocket monsters but also various forms of existing Pokemon. This could include regional variants, new evolutions for older Pokemon, and transformed versions tied to potential in-game mechanics, similar to the Gigantamax feature from Sword and Shield. Centro Leaks has emphasized that the most reliably corroborated aspect of these rumors is the placeholder count of 300 new Pokemon and forms.
The starter Pokemon for Generation 10, reportedly named Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua, have already been revealed, and if they follow the traditional pattern of having two evolutionary stages each, that alone accounts for nine Pokemon. The inclusion of entirely new species, potentially including Legendary Pokemon, would further increase the total count.
The current record for the most new Pokemon introduced in a single generation belongs to Pokemon Black and White, which added 156 new creatures to the franchise. If the rumors about Winds and Waves hold true, it would more than double that record.
Further unverified rumors suggest that Pokemon Legends: Winds and Waves may draw inspiration from Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, with a strong emphasis on player communication. Post-launch downloadable content is also reportedly in development. Additionally, a new battle gimmick centered around weather conditions is rumored to be a key feature, potentially giving Pokemon such as Arcanine, Pikachu, and Kecleon special forms dependent on the surrounding environment.