Despite 30 years and over 1,000 Pokémon, there are still loads of gamers who will argue until they're blue in the face that the series simply never got better than the first generation, at least as far as monster designs are concerned. Given this obsession with Kanto, it makes sense that Pokémon Winds & Waves and its new tropical open-world region will reportedly give us a brand-new regional variant for one of the first generation's most-loved monsters.
Regional variants in Pokémon games were originally introduced way back in 2016, when Pokémon Sun & Moon released on the Nintendo 3DS. Since then, we've been treated to a huge number of 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. It's a great way to introduce new designs without expanding the overall number of Pokémon, because I do believe with all my heart there are too many damn Pokémon in 2026.
While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, it's effectively guaranteed that Pokémon Winds & Waves will introduce even more regional variants. But which Pokémon will be chosen? According to Centro Leaks, it's been claimed that Psyduck is getting a new Ice/Psychic regional form. Apparently, this new variant will have a three-stage evolution line, giving Psyduck a third and final form after 30 years. Interestingly, it sounds like 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, but a huge amount of leaks coming out of Winds & Waves so far have turned out to be accurate, so I wouldn't be massively surprised.
"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."
Psyduck not being Psychic is definitely one of the strangest choices in the Pokémon series. The confused duck Pokémon has latent psychic abilities, according to official lore, but apparently it's not a Psychic Type because it can't control its powers. Poor little guy. Hopefully Pokémon Winds & Waves will give them a chance to really show us what they can do.
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. Other Pokémon rumored to have new evolutions or forms include Arcanine, Shellos, Houndour, Onix, and Lapras.
Pokémon Winds & Waves doesn't come to Nintendo Switch until late 2027, but a recent countdown to November 30 suggests we might see something of the game before then. I should stress we don't know for sure what the Pokémon Company is counting down to, though, and it may end up having nothing to do with Winds & Waves, so keep your expectations in check.
