Nintendo president calls Pokémon Winds and Waves crucial for Switch 2
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa told investors Pokémon Winds and Waves, due 2027, will be a crucial release.
The Switch 2 exclusive is a key test as console sales slow.
Background
The Pokémon Company is the company behind the Pokémon franchise, and GAME FREAK develops the main video game series. Pokémon Winds and Waves were introduced as the newest entries in that series during The Pokémon Company's 30th anniversary celebrations, and they are set for 2027 as a Switch 2 exclusive. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa's remarks to investors come as Switch 2 sell-through slowed in the latest quarter, with Nintendo leaning on its software calendar.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2, 2026The Pokémon Company begins a social media countdown to a mysterious date, with commenters speculating about Winds/Waves news or a new trading card batch.
- Nov 3, 2026Preorders for the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Night (Umbreon) go live at Walmart for $499.99, after Amazon listings vanished.
- Nov 4, 2026The Pokémon Company announces Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 2: Dazzling Decorations arrives December 9, 2026.
- Nov 5, 2026The Mega Evolution—Delta Reign expansion becomes available in Pokémon TCG Live, featuring Mega Rayquaza ex and Mega Malamar ex.
- Nov 6, 2026Furukawa tells investors Winds and Waves will be a crucial release and says Nintendo intends to do its utmost to maximize its sales.
Key terms
- Switch 2
- Nintendo's video game console, the successor to the Switch, usable handheld, tabletop, or docked to a TV.
- sell-through
- The percentage of a product sold by a retailer after being shipped by its supplier.
- Pokémon TCG
- A collectible card game based on the Pokémon franchise, published by the Pokémon Company.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Furukawa said Winds and Waves will be a crucial release as the console enters its third year, and that Nintendo intends to do its utmost to maximize its sales.
- Analysts
- Polygon reviewed the Delta Reign set as good but overshadowed by the prior 30th anniversary set, which it called one of The Pokémon Company's best releases ever.
Still unverified
The subject of The Pokémon Company's social media countdown is unknown; commenters speculate it could be a Winds & Waves Direct or a trading card reveal.