Pokémon Winds & Waves Is Giving A New Evolution To A Fan-Favorite After 30 Years

Jul 07, 2026 - 13:17

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Pokémon Winds & Waves Is Giving A New Evolution To A Fan-Favorite After 30 Years

Pikachu, Eevee, and a bunch of other Gen 1 Pokémon on a path in a forest area

Published Jul 7, 2026, 5:29 AM EDT

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After 30 years and over 1,000 Pokémon, there are still plenty of fans out there who will insist it never got better than the first generation. Perhaps that's why, even as we approach the release of Pokémon Winds & Waves, the new tropical open-world region will apparently contain a new regional variant for one of Kanto's most-loved monsters.

Regional variants in Pokémon games were first introduced back in 2016 when Pokémon Sun & Moon landed on the Nintendo 3DS. Since then, there have been countless new evolutions and unique forms for classic Pokémon like Sandslash, Raichu, and even Zapdos. These new forms typically grant the Pokémon a brand-new type, such as the dual Psychic/Electric power of Alolan Raichu.

Image shows two Pikachus in Pokemon Winds and Waves

While nothing has been confirmed yet, it seems pretty likely that Pokémon Winds & Waves will introduce yet more regional variants. The question is, which Pokémon will be chosen for a makeover? According to the ever-reliable Centro Leaks, it's been claimed that Psyduck is getting a new Ice/Psychic regional form. Even more exciting, this new variant will have a three-stage evolution line, giving Psyduck a third and final form after 30 years. Interestingly, it's claimed this Psyduck won't first evolve into a new kind of Golduck, but something brand-new. It's worth noting Centro Leaks has been unable to verify this particular leak for now, so do treat it as more of a rumor at this stage.

"If true this will satisfy the 'Psyduck should have been psychic' crowd," one fan wrote on X. "I'll just be happy that Game Freak hasn't given up on regional forms. I didn't really care for the convergent Pokémon."

It's true enough that Psyduck not being Psychic is one of the more bizarre choices in the Pokémon series. The confused duck Pokémon has latent psychic abilities, but the canonical answer to its not being a Psychic Type is simply that it has no control over these powers. Perhaps the Winds & Waves Pysduck is a little more relaxed.

Elsewhere, it's been speculated that Drowzee could get a new regional variant, and fans are hopeful that we might even get our first new Eevee evolution in 13 years. Pokémon Winds & Waves doesn't land on Nintendo Switch until late 2027, so we have plenty of time to continue guessing at what Game Freak is cooking up for us.