Has Pokémon Winds And Waves Finally Ended The Series’ Graphics Problem?
The Switch 2 RPGs look a lot better than Scarlet and Violet
---
Has Pokémon Winds And Waves Finally Ended The Series’ Graphics Problem?
The Switch 2 RPGs look a lot better than Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon Winds And Waves
Kenneth Shepard
Published February 27, 2026
Comments (7)
[Image: Pikachus]
© The Pokémon Company
Well, folks, it looks like Pokémon Winds and Waves may have finally broken the series’ bad graphics curse. At least, that’s what it looks like based on the first trailer, which appears to be a marked visual improvement over Scarlet and Violet, which have become a poster child for the series’ poor technical performance.
Scarlet and Violet, released in 2022, were the last Switch-exclusive Pokémon games, and were heavily derided for not only being a buggy mess, but for looking like a GameCube tech demo. They had a big map that had no real texture or life to it. When they got a Switch 2 update, they ran at a buttery smooth 60 frames-per-second, but they still looked really rough and old. Winds and Waves, meanwhile, have a notable technical and graphical leap, with much more dynamic lighting, shading, and water physics. The Pokémon themselves have a bit of texture to them similar to Scarlet and Violet’s models, but beyond that, any direct comparisons we might make work in Winds and Waves’ favor. I’d still argue that it doesn’t look incredible by any stretch, but it definitely is the most dynamic-looking Pokémon game we’ve had in a while.
It was WILD comparing the new trailer, to the first real trailer of Scarlet and Violet. I'm flabbergasted! pic.twitter.com/FIKnM4ueq0
— Ron (@Truegreen7) February 27, 2026
Um comparativo gráfico entre a água renderizada na nona e na décima geração de Pokémon (em desenvolvimento): pic.twitter.com/1dmMxLvVH6
— 'Necro' Felipe #UnivNintendo (@necrolipe) February 27, 2026
HOW DID WE GO FROM POKEMON SCARLET/VIOLET TO THIS??? pic.twitter.com/SJBVafeFA6
— Yisuno ⚝ | GECQUA ENJOYER (@TheYisusOne) February 27, 2026
pokemon pic.twitter.com/HrEmYWb4KU
— gooompy (@Gooompy) February 27, 2026
water has always been a huge part of Pokémon's worlds and it's SUCH a relief to see Winds and Waves fix the gross flat plains that have plagued every 3D release thus far pic.twitter.com/dcirZnFeT9
— Lewtwo (@Lewchube) February 27, 2026
notice how pokemon started looking good the minute we got out of europe
— lil (@adifying) February 27, 2026
I’m ready to move on pic.twitter.com/grP5QlH7m2
— Ant (@antdude92) February 27, 2026
i love how they showed us various windmills rotating smoothly to demonstrate that they learned how to animate them properly this time pic.twitter.com/3qiByBPNMx
— jamie ▴ (@linkkling) February 27, 2026
Para los que dicen que Winds & Waves se ven iguales que S/V…
¿¿¡¡ACASO ESTÁN CIEGOS?!??
Escarlata parece un juego de la 64 comparado con la décima generación pic.twitter.com/Z5WGVSnP9A
— JV (@JVindahouse) February 27, 2026
Is it enough to wash off the stink of older, uglier games? We’ll have to see how the game holds up when it eventually launches, but critics of the series’ past technical performance aren’t about to back down just because Game Freak is taking the time to polish its games after years of poor performance and visuals.
"All the haters need to apologize now for-" No. The 'hate' was totally earned and valid. People are happy they're finally making the effort and hopefully will keep holding them to this higher standard.
I just hope they remember to put in an interesting story this time. Voiced… https://t.co/etXw9KZVw7
— LA/ENDER (@LavenderGhast) February 27, 2026
Pokemon Winds and Waves looks technically good but I still don't like them going in a realistic direction with the series
— Jade (@The_Teal_Mask) February 27, 2026
once monolith reveals their switch 2 rpg, the fucking comparisons are gonna come back 😭 https://t.co/UjFa7ok7mV
Hey guess what, if nobody complained they wouldn't look any better. Yes they look better, so please don't stand there on your pedastal belittling the people that were pushing for this improvement in the first place.
In any case: looks p good GameFreak, not bad. https://t.co/Sy2yL1gd47
— TidyWire🍿 (@TidyWire) February 27, 2026
If nothing else, as folks comb through the footage, it’s nice that loud complaints about trees or windows aren’t the primary point of discussion on day one. Pokémon Winds and Waves are coming to Switch 2 next year.
🕹️ Level up your inbox
###
Every Pokémon Confirmed For Winds And Waves So Far
The Switch 2 games are bringing back a lot of familiar faces
Kenneth Shepard
Published February 27, 2026
###
Fans Think They May Have Figured Out One Of Pokémon Winds And Waves’ Legendaries
We only saw the starters officially, but there might be hints in the trailer
Kenneth Shepard
Published February 27, 2026
###
9 Details We Spotted In Pokémon Winds And Waves’ First Trailer
The Switch 2 games are coming in 2027
Kenneth Shepard
Published February 27, 2026
###
Which Starter Is The Best To Pick In Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen?
Fans can reasonably disagree but here's my advice
Ethan Gach
Published February 28, 2026
###
Drop in, kill some skeletons, fight a big boss, and ride off into the sunset in the demo for Far, Far West out now on PC
Zack Zwiezen
Published February 28, 2026
###
Ranking Leon’s Amazing One-Liners In Resident Evil Requiem
This man can’t take anything seriously
Kenneth Shepard
Published February 28, 2026
[Image: Pokémon starters appear on a Switch.]
Which Starter Is The Best To Pick In Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen?
[Image: Anatoly Cherdenko places bets on Polymarket.]
Polymarket Bravely Defends Betting On World War 3 As A Valuable Public Service
[Image: Iron Lung]
Markiplier Warns Hollywood Against Ignoring YouTubers After His $50 Million Horror Hit Iron Lung
[Image: Pikachu Plushies sit on a shelf.]
Pokémon Store Plunged Into Chaos Over 30th Anniversary Pikachu Plush As Fans Blame Scalpers
[Image: Zelda holds up the Master Sword.]
Legend Of Zelda Actor Has Thoughts On The Live-Action Movie And Whether Link And Zelda Are Dating
[Image: Sonic holds up a ring.]
How Sega And Police Raids Interrupted A Video Game Preservation Auction
[Image: A Terminator prepares to protect our borders.]
OpenAI Says Hell Yea To To Helping Government With ‘Fully Autonomous Weapons’ As Trump Bombs More Countries
[Image: A close-up of Wolverine in his suit]
Here’s Why Sony Pulling Back On Porting Single-Player Blockbusters Like Wolverine To Steam Could Make Sense
---
[Original source](https://kotaku.com/pokemon-wind-waves-switch-2-graphics-comparison-images-2000674529)