Pokémon Wind and Wave finally bans the old Switch and Nintendo couldn't have made a better decision

Pokémon: Wind and Wave will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. A version for the old Switch is not planned. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann believes that Nintendo couldn’t have made a better decision. The first images already suggest that the switch could be worthwhile.

The Pokémon series has been criticized for outdated graphics and poor performance for some time. However, the free Switch 2 upgrade for Scarlet/Violet and also the version of Legends Z-A shows that Pokémon can look significantly better on the Switch 2, even though the style remains the same.

In Pokémon Legends Z-A it was also decided to offer a version for both console generations.

For Pokémon: Wind and Wave, they opted for an exclusive release only for the Switch 2. A release for the old Switch is deliberately excluded. Already in 2025, Nintendo made it clear that they want to focus on the Switch 2.

And I personally consider this to be the absolutely right decision to advance the Pokémon series technically.

The trailer for the 10th generation of Pokémon shows the new region and the three starters

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Wind and Wave already looks prettier than all previous Pokémon games

I would like to mention two examples that are already being discussed in the community. You can see what it means when you no longer have to carry the old Switch as a burden:

Take a look at the water compared to the last generation (via Reddit.com): In the 10th generation, the water has detailed foam crowns, is highly mobile, and relies on light refraction. It looks lively overall. In the 9th generation, water was just a blue surface and had little in common with the sea and water. Take a look at the official trailer on YouTube for Scarlet and Violet. Movement? No trace of it. The water simply does not move.

Look at the landscape and vegetation (via Reddit.com): You no longer get a green surface like in Violet, but a detailed, vegetated landscape and beaches. These are details you could only dream of in the 9th generation. Additionally, observe the shadows cast by the vegetation, such as the palm trees. In Scarlet and Violet, there were shadows at most from the clouds.

Just by these two examples, you can see what a tremendous leap in graphics Wind and Wave can make when you no longer have to take the old Switch into account.

It is important to note that the final game may still look different from the trailers. However, in the past, trailers and Pokémon games have always looked very similar. Take a look at the trailers for Scarlet/Violet and compare them to the final game. The graphics and details have not really changed.

Yes, the graphics and appearance of Pokémon still remain childish and playful. While this can be criticized, I think it simply belongs to the design of the Pokémon series. Pokémon is not a series where I would expect photorealistic graphics.

Sony shows what happens when you no longer have to release your games for the PS4

The benefits of dropping the old generation are also demonstrated by PlayStation. When studios only develop one version for the PS5, many technical limitations are removed and teams can fully concentrate on the modern platform:

You no longer have to consider the significantly weaker Jaguar CPU, slower HDD, and smaller memory of the PS4, but can consistently shift design and technology to the modern platform.
Games can adapt asset streaming, level structure, and memory layout directly to the PS5 and do not have to consider the slower PS4. This allows for much larger and more beautiful game worlds (via blog.playstation.com).
Furthermore, you no longer have to develop two game versions in parallel: Resources can then be completely focused on the best version of the game.

And that is why I consider the decision to release Pokémon: Wind and Wave only for the Switch 2 as the right one. Even if this means that some will now have to buy a Switch 2.