Pokémon Winds and Waves Is Giving Pikachu and Arcanine New Evolutions

Two beloved Pokémon from the Gen 1 days may be receiving evolutions in Pokémon Winds & Waves, as a new rumor is claiming that Pikachu and Arcanine will acquire forms as part of the next battle mechanic added to the series.

The Pokémon franchise has been introducing and cycling out battle mechanics throughout the series, partly in an effort to keep things fresh, as well as to prevent the developers from constantly needing to code the same gimmicks into every game. This means mechanics like Triple Battles, Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, and Dynamax/Gigantamax forms have been part of mainline titles but were phased out and pushed into spin-off games like Pokémon Go and Pokémon Champions.

Pikachu & Arcanine Leak Claims Gen 10 Will Add New Forms

Image via OLM

Rumors are circulating that Pokémon Winds & Waves will feature a weather-themed battle mechanic, which will alter certain Pokémon in battle. According to kurwashibamaste (via Centro Leaks on Twitter/X), several Pokémon in Pokémon Winds & Waves will be able to evolve mid-battle into new forms using the weather mechanic, including Pikachu, Arcanine, Kecleon, Lucario, and seven of the new creatures debuting in Gen 10.

The leaker claims these are technically placeholders, noting that Mega Jynx was once planned for the series but was cut during development. It’s also unclear whether these weather forms will give the Pokémon new types, Abilities, or stat buffs.

This Isn’t The First Time Pikachu & Arcanine Lines Have Received Updates

Image via Game Freak

The original 151 Pokémon from Pokémon Red & Blue might seem like sacred pieces of video game history that can’t be tampered with, but the Pikachu and Arcanine lines have received new content before. The Pikachu line gained a new addition back in Gen 2, through Pichu, while Alolan Raichu arrived in Pokémon Sun & Moon, and Mega Raichu X & Y debuted in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Even Pikachu had a Gigantamax form in Pokémon Sword & Shield, turning into the chubby version from Pokémon Red & Blue.

While the Arcanine line might not have had as much attention as Pikachu and its siblings, it did receive a Hisuian form in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, as did Growlithe. This means there’s precedent for Gen 1 Pokémon receiving fresh forms in later games, meaning some kind of weather-infused Pikachu and Arcanine could appear in Pokémon Winds & Waves.

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Satoshi Tajiri

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Pokemon: The First Movie

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April 1, 1997

Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.