Pokemon Winds and Waves has bad news for Switch 1 players

Pokemon winds and waves releasing as Switch 2 exclusive games, with no plans for Switch 1 versions. Pokemon winds and waves was officially revealed during the recent Pokemon Presents event. The trailer confirmed it Pokemon winds and waves will be the most graphically intensive Pokémon game to date, with vastly improved environments, character models and performance compared to previous games in the series.

The Switch 1 is on track to become the best-selling video game console of all time, so the install base is absolutely huge compared to the Switch 2. There are still millions of Switch 1 players who have yet to upgrade to the Switch 2, but unfortunately, those individuals will be missing out Pokemon winds and waves.

Pokemon Winds and Waves outfit version change

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Your outfit in Pokemon Winds and Waves depends on which version you buy

In Pokemon Winds and Waves, the version you buy determines your trainer's starting outfit, giving an elegant twist to exclusive versions.

Is Pokemon Winds and Waves Coming to Switch 1?

It has been confirmed that it is coming not be a Switch 1 version of Pokemon winds and waves. Most Pokémon fans probably assumed this after watching Pokemon winds and waves in action, but others may still be surprised or disappointed by this revelation. However, it's clear that Nintendo is starting to leave the Switch 1 behind to focus on the more powerful Switch 2, and that will ultimately be a good thing when it comes to overall game quality – at least in terms of graphical fidelity and performance.

The Pokémon franchise had a rough time on the Switch 1. Pokemon Sword and Shield are some of the lower rated games in the franchise, with many criticizing these games for not pushing the series forward enough. And so there is Pokemon Scarlet and Violetwho are the lowest rated main series Pokémon game so far. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet had all kinds of technical issues on the Switch 1, and some of that is likely due to the aging hardware.

Nintendo Switch 2 is significantly more powerful than Switch 1, which means that an experience that Pokemon winds and waves can launch without having to make the unfortunate compromises that would be necessary if the games were also released for the Switch 1. Simply put, do Pokemon winds and waves multi-gen versions would have seriously held the games back and prevented them from reaching the full potential they should be able to reach as Switch 2 exclusive games.

While Nintendo is clearly starting to focus most of its attention on the Switch 2, it's not entirely clear to support the original Switch just yet. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream coming to Switch 1, like new Rhythm Heaven game. However, the vast majority of upcoming Nintendo first-party games are targeting the Switch 2.

Needless to say, it can be a good time for Pokémon fans to start thinking about upgrading to the Switch 2 if they haven't already. There have been rumblings of potential price increases on the Switch 2 due to ongoing tariffs and other worldwide economic situations, so it's entirely possible that the console will more expensive then Pokemon winds and waves released in 2027.

Of course, Pokemon winds and waves isn't the only reason to buy a Switch 2. Nintendo has released some incredible Switch 2 exclusives so far, with Donkey Kong Banana even nominated for Game of the Year last year. There will undoubtedly be new main series Super Mario and Zelda games on Switch 2 in the future too, so it's a safe bet for all Nintendo fans, even with Pokemon winds and winds not coming until 2027.