- Primary Subject: Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves (Generation 10 / Switch 2 Exclusive / 2027 Window)
- Key Update: With Generation 10 set to mark one of the longest development gaps between mainline releases, check out a suite of side activities to maximize player retention
- Status: Feature Proposal / Speculative Wishlist based on officially announced 2027 Gen 10 titles
- Last Verified: August 4, 2026
- Quick Answer: To leverage Generation 10's extended development time, Pokemon Winds and Waves should introduce free soaring, bring back diving, gear progression, and resource-driven secret bases.
Pokemon Winds and Waves, releasing in 2027, may have one of the longest gaps of generations between mainline Pokemon releases ever, seeing as how the generation before it, Gen 9 with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, was released back in 2022. Naturally, this game, having one of the longest development times, is expected to be filled to the brim with content and side activities.
Since we are returning to the tropics, the nature, and the grace of a wide open world, here are some side activities that we believe will bring much-needed vigor and thus should be added to the games.
Free Soaring (Pokemon Winds)
This epic traversal mechanic was once introduced in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and has never been seen since. And that's really sad because a lot of players seem to really love it. Basically, you ride at the back of a Pokemon, and instead of using an HM to fly around the region, you'll be manually controlling a Pokemon and landing in whichever city you like.
Now imagine this feature in a truly open world setting where you can land on any cliff, or a tree, or a cave. Encounter wild Pokemon while you fly, or stumble upon sky anomalies, etc. The weather should also play a role in how we handle flight. These titles are just Pokemon's perfect opportunity to bring back this beloved feature. Besides, calling the game "Winds" and not having an ability close to this concept is awkward.
Free Diving (Pokemon Waves)
We already have an idea, in the trailers, that diving underwater might actually make a return, but we don't want the bare-bones, underused version of the Gen 3 and ORAS games anymore. We want a more immersive experience once we descend into the waters. There should be more underwater puzzles, treasures to find, and ways to find water Pokemon.
Similar to our proposal for Free Soaring, the tides and weather conditions should affect our underwater traversal experience. To make it more enticing to dive "down there", there should be more shipwrecks (which can also be tied to the story of why there are so many) to explore. Again, Pokemon could do a Tears of the Kingdom and transform a huge space below an entire world to explore.
Fishing / Sky Hunting Competitions
In the Johto games, there was a short-lived competition where players could catch bug-type Pokemon, and depending on the size, level, and rarity of the Pokemon you caught, you get scored differently. Pokemon Winds and Waves should bring this back. Imagine a fishing competition (for Waves) or a bird-catching competition (for Winds) where players, other players, or NPCs are given a short amount of time to hunt a Pokemon, and the winner's decided by the rarity, weight, or size of their catch.
There can also be additional points for how deep a player went underwater or how high their altitude is when they were flying to incentivize bolder explorations. Either way, this already feels like a long-term Winds and Waves tradition, even if there has been no confirmation yet, because it just makes sense.
Surfboard, Dive Gear, and Glider Customization
If we truly are given the chance to explore the skies and the depths of the ocean, of course, it is also highly expected that we should be able to fully customize our travelling gear. We should be able to aesthetically control how it looks with coloring options or design choices.
Not only visually but also functionally. There should be a progression system in place to make it more interesting. Maybe our gear can have a level system where, as its level increases, the more oxygen it can hold or the more features are unlocked. This way, the player is incentivized to keep exploring to look for upgrade parts.
Nature Photography With Rewards
Photography, even in spin-offs of Pokemon games, has always been present, but the problem is that unless it's a Pokemon Snap title, there's really no reason for using it much. Why? Because there are no rewards, no drive to do so. This should and can be fixed with Pokemon Winds and Waves. With a region so vast with Pokemon, lush greens, deep waters, and electrifying skies, nature is begging to be photographed.
The game must include an album system in which meeting criteria of titled album pages such as "Oceanic Predators" or "The Graceful Flight Of a Swanna" rewards players with items or additional ways to upgrade their camera Rotom.
Secret Bases
If there's a side activity that truly deserves a comeback, it's the Secret Bases from Generation 3. This feature in a region with a heavy focus on nature and exploration is a match made in heaven. Imagine building your own base, not only trees or shrubs, but also in hidden caves, cliffsides, or secluded shores.
And imagine, like in Pokemon Pokopia, instead of buying your furniture and decorations, you just build them with the resources or items you pick up along the way, like leaves, wood, etc. We all know how people are addicted to Pokopia, so if this feature is added in Winds and Waves, we can imagine it will have the same effect.
Pokemon has mastered making players want to become strong trainers or skilled catchers, but that shouldn't be the only reason one loves a Pokemon game. Players should also want to stay and keep playing. Winds and Waves has the perfect foundation. Game Freak just needs to hit the right spots.