The Pokémon Company used its 30th anniversary celebrations earlier this year to reveal the tenth generation of the main series. The new games are heading to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, which gives fans a decent run up before the next wave of creatures arrives.
That gap is actually quite handy. With more than a thousand Pokémon already out there, plenty of lapsed fans are using the wait to work out what they have missed since they last picked up a game or watched the series.
What We Know About Gen 10 So Far
The announcement confirmed a pair of games set across a tropical archipelago, with windswept islands and a large stretch of open ocean to explore. It is a clear step on from the open world approach of the Scarlet and Violet era, and the trailer leaned heavily on travel between islands.
As usual, three starters were revealed straight away. Browt is the Grass type, Pombon is the Fire type and Gecqua is the Water type, and the early reaction online has been a lot warmer than it was for some previous generations.
Switch 2 exclusivity matters here too. The extra power of the new console should help with draw distances and busier environments, which were common complaints about the last generation’s performance.
Getting to Grips With 1,025 Pokémon
The biggest hurdle for anyone returning to the series is simply the size of the roster. The original games launched with 151 Pokémon, and every generation since has added dozens more, so the current count sits at 1,025 before Gen 10 adds its own new arrivals.
A good way to get your bearings is to browse a list of all Pokémon arranged from A to Z. CardTrack’s version covers 1,022 Pokémon that have appeared on trading cards, and each entry shows how many cards that Pokémon has featured on, from Pikachu with nearly 200 to newer arrivals with only a handful.
That card count turns out to be a surprisingly good popularity guide. The fan favourites from the early generations have been printed again and again, while many later additions have only appeared a few times, which tells you a lot about which Pokémon the wider audience actually connects with.
Most returning fans find it easier to focus on the generations they missed rather than trying to learn everything at once. Starting with the regions you skipped, and the Pokémon most closely tied to them, makes the list feel far less daunting.
It is also a useful reminder of how far the franchise reaches beyond the games. For a lot of fans in the UK, the cards were their first real contact with Pokémon, whether that meant swapping them at school or opening packs from the local newsagent.
The Gaps Worth Filling Before 2027
If you last played seriously in the Game Boy or DS days, the generations you are most likely to have skipped are the more recent ones. Sword and Shield introduced the Galar region, which was loosely based on Britain, and Scarlet and Violet became the first mainline games with a fully open world. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is worth a look as well, since it brought Mega Evolution back in a reimagined Lumiose City.
The official Pokémon Winds and Waves site is the best place to keep track of new reveals, as more details are expected to drip out through the rest of the year. Past form suggests trailers, new regional forms and a steady stream of new Pokémon will be shown before launch.
In the meantime, catching up does not have to mean replaying every game. Watching a few recaps, browsing the full roster and picking one recent game to play through will leave you in a strong position when the new region opens up.
Why the Timing Works for Returning Fans
A 2027 release gives Gen 10 a long promotional window, and that tends to bring a lot of lapsed players back into the fold. Anniversary years usually come with extra merchandise, special card sets and events, so the next twelve months or so should be busy. Pokémon Champions, the battle focused game that launched in April, also gives competitive players plenty to do while they wait.
It also means there is no rush. Unlike some recent launches, which arrived within months of being announced, this one leaves plenty of time to explore the back catalogue at your own pace.
Looking Ahead
Gen 10 looks set to be one of the bigger Pokémon launches in years, arriving on new hardware with a fresh region to explore. For fans who drifted away, the months before release are the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with the creatures you missed. Whether you are a long time trainer or someone who stopped at the original 151, there has rarely been a better moment to jump back in.
We will keep an eye on the confirmed launch date as it is announced, and you can follow every upcoming title on our video game release dates page. Until then, there are 1,025 Pokémon waiting to be rediscovered.
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