Warning: This report discusses unverified leaks and speculation surrounding Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.
Fans hoping for news about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon titles were left disappointed when the annual Pokémon Worlds event covered major games but offered no update on the pair. An alleged leak has now provided several possible clues, including a new inventory interface and hints about starter evolutions.
As with any material shared anonymously online, none of these details have been confirmed by Game Freak or The Pokémon Company. Readers should treat the images as unverified until official information appears.
An alleged inventory screen includes a Moltres clue
The latest image, reportedly first posted on 4chan and then circulated by prominent Pokémon leakers, appears to show an unfinished inventory menu from Winds and Waves. The interface looks broadly like a conventional game menu, although its presentation could change before launch. The background appears to contain incomplete texture models, which suggests the material may come from an in-development build.
The most intriguing detail is the creature list. Several entries use generic placeholder artwork, while two appear to use images of Moltres, the fiery Legendary bird introduced in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue.
The accompanying text reportedly reads “Gokurakucho”, a term that roughly translates as “bird of paradise”. Entries labelled “Gokurakucho 1” and “Gokurakucho 2” could indicate an evolution line, or they might refer to two separate bird-of-paradise Pokémon. There is no confirmation that the Moltres artwork represents the final designs.
Could the bird be inspired by Indonesia?
Reports have suggested that the setting of Winds and Waves draws from Indonesia. If that connection is accurate, the Red Bird of Paradise, also known as Paradisaea rubra, would be one possible source of inspiration.
The bird has a vivid colour palette that can be compared with Moltres. It is found only on a small number of islands and is considered almost as rare as a Legendary Pokémon in everyday life. Its population is declining, although it is not currently classified as endangered; its official conservation status is “Near Threatened”.
That possibility remains speculation. The Moltres icons may simply be temporary assets, and the “bird of paradise” wording may not describe a final Pokémon at all. Collectors interested in displaying Pokémon-themed gaming setups can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machines or browse the wider arcade news and gaming blog.
Starter evolution riddle resurfaces
A second alleged leak comes from the same account associated with the inventory image. It presents what is described as a riddle about the final evolutions of the three starters: Browt, Pombon and Gecqua.
The clues cannot be verified before release. Game Freak does not normally reveal the final starter forms ahead of launch, leaving fans to interpret the image rather than rely on confirmed designs.
One reading suggests that Gecqua’s final form could be a magical creature, potentially with a Psychic typing. Browt may instead become this generation’s Fighting-type starter. Those ideas are only interpretations of the alleged riddle, not established game details.
Until official reveals arrive, the inventory image and starter riddle are best viewed as interesting possibilities rather than evidence of the final Pokémon designs.
Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are scheduled for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. For readers who enjoy following gaming hardware and home arcade projects, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and compact bartop arcades offer practical next steps beyond the leak cycle.
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