Pokémon Winds and Waves were revealed during the Pokémon Presents stream on February 27th, 2026, as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration. The Generation 10 games are coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, and the announcement trailer gave trainers their first look at three new starter Pokémon: Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua.
Quick answer: The three starters are Browt (Grass-type bird), Pombon (Fire-type dog), and Gecqua (Water-type gecko). Each carries the standard starter ability for its type — Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent, respectively.
Browt — The Grass-Type Starter
Browt is classified as the "Bean Chick Pokémon," a small Grass-type bird standing just 1 foot tall (0.3 m) and weighing 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg). Its ability is Overgrow, which powers up Grass-type moves when its HP drops below a third. Design-wise, Browt has drawn comparisons to Rowlet from Generation 7 and even Torchic, though its bird-of-paradise-inspired look fits the tropical Southeast Asian setting of the new region. Fans have noted its slightly goofy expression — the official category name "Bean Chick" leans into that vibe.
Browt is the fourth bird-like starter in the franchise's history, following Torchic, Piplup, Rowlet, and Quaxly. With roughly a decade since Rowlet's debut in Sun and Moon, Game Freak appears comfortable revisiting the concept, likely with a very different evolutionary direction. Early speculation points toward a possible Grass/Flying dual typing in its final form, and some fans believe its evolutions could draw from tropical songbirds like the standardwing bird-of-paradise.
Pombon — The Fire-Type Starter
Pombon is the "Puppy Pokémon," a Fire-type dog that stands 1 foot 4 inches tall (0.4 m) and weighs 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg). Its ability is Blaze, boosting Fire-type moves at low HP. The design is immediately recognizable as a Pomeranian, with a fluffy round silhouette and an endearingly vacant expression that fans have already latched onto. Pombon quickly became the early fan favorite of the trio, with many comparing it to Missile from Ghost Trick and even joking that Game Freak turned Toby Fox (the Undertale creator who has contributed music to recent Pokémon games) into a Pokémon.
Pombon is the first dog-type Fire starter in the series. It fits neatly into the long tradition of beloved Fire-type first partners — from Charmander to Litten to Fuecoco — that tend to generate intense fan loyalty. The big question hanging over Pombon is whether its evolutions will stay quadrupedal or go bipedal, a recurring source of anxiety for Pokémon fans ever since Incineroar stood up on two legs back in Generation 7.
Gecqua — The Water-Type Starter
Gecqua rounds out the trio as the "Water Gecko Pokémon." It's a Water-type gecko standing 1 foot tall (0.3 m) and weighing 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg), with the ability Torrent. Its design features prominent eyelashes and a sleek, expressive look that has already sparked speculation about its final evolution being the "standout" of the group. Pre-announcement leaks from January 2026 described the Water starter's evolutionary line as one that "absolutely serves and slays," and the base form's design seems consistent with that trajectory.
Gecqua does invite comparisons to Sobble from Generation 8, since both are reptilian Water-type starters. But geckos and chameleons are quite different animals, and the Indonesian-inspired region gives Game Freak plenty of room to take Gecqua's evolutions in a distinct direction. Some fans expect a Water/Poison dual typing for its final form, while others anticipate it could become the generation's more glamorous or elegant final evolution.
Full Starter Stats at a Glance
| Starter | Type | Category | Height | Weight | Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browt | Grass | Bean Chick Pokémon | 1′ (0.3 m) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | Overgrow |
| Pombon | Fire | Puppy Pokémon | 1′4″ (0.4 m) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) | Blaze |
| Gecqua | Water | Water Gecko Pokémon | 1′ (0.3 m) | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) | Torrent |
The New Region and Open-World Gameplay
Pokémon Winds and Waves take place in a Southeast Asian archipelago region, widely believed to be inspired by Indonesia and the broader maritime Southeast Asia area. The announcement trailer showcased lush tropical islands, volcanic caves, glistening oceans, thick jungles, and what appear to be underwater exploration sections — a feature fans haven't seen prominently since the Dive mechanic in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Pokémon roam freely in the overworld, continuing the open-world approach introduced in Scarlet and Violet.
The Pokémon Company described the region's creatures as having "developed their own unique ecosystems" within the lush environment, and the trailer teased encounters with the forces of nature as part of the adventure. A pair of special tourist-themed Pikachu also appeared in the reveal footage, hinting at regional variants or event Pokémon tied to the tropical setting.
Why 2027 Matters
Perhaps the most surprising detail from the announcement was the release window. Winds and Waves are targeting 2027, not 2026 — meaning Game Freak is skipping a 30th anniversary launch in favor of additional development time. If the games arrive in late 2027 as expected, it will mark roughly five years since Scarlet and Violet launched in November 2022. That's the longest gap between mainline generational releases in Pokémon history.
The extended timeline is a notable shift. Scarlet and Violet were widely criticized for technical issues at launch, with performance problems becoming a meme even in Japan. The trailer for Winds and Waves appeared to run smoothly, and being a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive means the hardware constraints that plagued the original Switch era should be far less of a factor. Game Freak operates two internal development teams, with the Legends: Z-A team handling that 2025 release while the mainline team worked on Generation 10.
Evolutions, secondary typings, and the cover legendaries remain unknown for now. But with a year-plus of development still ahead and the franchise's largest-ever generational gap providing breathing room, the starter trio of Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua will have plenty of time to grow on fans before they need to make their pick.