Pokémon Gen 10 May Be Unplayable For A Huge Chunk Of Fans

It feels like there's a new leak or rumor for the Pokémon Gen 10 game every week now. From alleged titles to gameplay gimmicks and maps, it's hard to know what is reliable and what isn't. However, ahead of an impending Gen 10 announcement, fans are already speculating that the new Pokémon games won't be available for a large portion of its playerbase.

And while speculation can lead to all sorts of issues, it actually makes sense this time around. Over on Reddit, fans have been discussing whether Gen 10 games will be Switch 2 exclusives or not. It's an understandable question, since we know almost nothing official about Pokémon Gen 10 yet.

Is Pokémon Gen 10 Switch 2 Exclusive?

The Gen 10 games, which allegedly are called Pokémon Wind and Waves, will apparently move the series forward by adding new sky exploration and underwater mechanics. It will also, presumably, expand on Scarlet and Violet's open-world features while smoothing out the issues present in the Gen 9 games. Leaks and rumors regarding procedurally-generated islands and a weather-based gimmick code-named Majin have also made headlines.

The real question, though, is whether Pokémon Gen 10 games will be exclusive to the Switch 2. If so, it risks excluding a massive portion of the fanbase which hasn't bought a Switch 2 yet. And considering Nintendo hasn't exactly given many reasons to own a new console yet, mostly thanks to dual releases of most of its games, that could change if the new Pokémon game is only on the Switch 2.

Some Gamers Are Already Concerned, Though Others Understand

Understandably, this question has led to speculation and various opinions when it comes to how Nintendo should handle Pokémon Gen 10 exclusivity (or lack thereof). Some users on Reddit were understanding when it comes to prospective exclusivity. "A new generation being exclusive to a new console isn’t all that surprising," posted one user. "It kinda has to be a Switch 2 exclusive. They want to push their new hardware both technically and monetarily," wrote another.

Others on Reddit weren't quite so willing to accept the idea of Gen 10 games being only on Switch 2. "Bloody hell I hate Nintendo," wrote one livid commenter. "If its [sic] true that Wind and Waves is going to be a Switch 2 I am going to be beyond pissed off," the original post reads.

Overall, though the fanbase is divided, it seems like most recognize the approach as a normal part of new consoles and new games releasing. The downside, of course, is that if this turns out to be true and you don't own a Switch 2, you'll miss out on Pokémon Gen 10 games when they release. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too much longer for official news since Pokémon Day 2026 is right around the corner.