Just when it seemed the dust was settling, the shadow of the massive 2024 Teraleak data breach has lengthened once again, casting new light on the inner workings of Game Freak and the future of the Pokémon franchise. Despite Nintendo's aggressive legal efforts to contain the spread of stolen data, a fresh wave of information has surfaced online, revealing a treasure trove of details about everything from the imminent Pokémon Legends: Z-A to projects planned for years down the line.
For dedicated fans, it’s a bittersweet moment of unparalleled insight and potential spoilers. The leaks provide an unprecedented look at the creative process, including the difficult decisions that lead to beloved features being cut from final games.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A: A Glimpse Into What Could Have Been
With the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A just around the corner, the latest Teraleak findings are particularly poignant. While early copies and ROMs have already revealed the game's complete Pokédex, movesets, and Mega Evolutions, the newly surfaced internal documents show a version of the game that was once much more ambitious.
According to analysis shared by the prominent leak aggregator Centro Leaks, early development builds of Legends: Z-A featured a dynamic movement system called "PokéRise." This system would have allowed trainers to seamlessly traverse the urban landscape of Lumiose City by leaping between rooftops, adding a verticality to exploration that was eventually scaled back.
Perhaps the most significant cut feature was the ability to ride certain Pokémon through the city's streets. This mechanic, reminiscent of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, was apparently fully prototyped before being reconsidered by the development team. Even more surprising is the leak's suggestion that the game's real-time combat took direct inspiration from Nintendo's Splatoon. This evolved into a prototype for 4v4 multiplayer battles, a feature that, "sadly for shooter fans," will not be making it into the final retail version when pre-orders for the game go live.
Generation 10: "Wind and Waves" Set for a 2026 Debut
Looking further into the future, the Teraleak provides the most concrete evidence yet for the tenth-generation Pokémon games. Codenamed internally and referred to by fans as Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves, the project is reportedly targeting a 2026 release, following the typical three-year development cycle.
Previous rumors had heavily suggested a Greek-inspired region, but the leaked documents, as detailed by Insider Gaming, point firmly to a setting inspired by the archipelagos of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The setting is described as lush and jungle-heavy, with documents hinting at the potential for procedurally generated islands to enhance exploration and replayability.
The leaks also outline several new gameplay mechanics. A new battle system dubbed "Weather Moves" is planned, which would interact dynamically with the in-game environment. Furthermore, a new class of "Seed Pokémon" is mentioned, capable of undergoing an "unlimited" or branching number of evolutions based on player choices. The documents also suggest a heavier emphasis on MMO-style gameplay, building upon the shared world elements seen in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Of course, with years of development potentially remaining, all these features are subject to change or removal.
The Future Beyond: A Glimpse at Generation 11
The scope of the Teraleak is so vast—comprising over 1TB of internal documents—that it even contains early pre-production concepts for an eleventh-generation title. According to a report from Nintendo Everything, the initial pitch for Gen 11 involves a return to the Galar region, the setting of Pokémon Sword and Shield. This suggests that the pattern of revisiting old regions may continue far into the future.
For now, the Pokémon community is left to sift through this deluge of information. The leaks offer a fascinating, if unauthorized, look at the roadmaps and abandoned ideas that shape the games millions love. While Nintendo and Game Freak remain silent, focusing on the official launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Teraleak ensures that the conversation around what's next for Pokémon is more active and informed than ever before.
THIS IS CRAZY. All the projects Game Freak currently has in development:
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 13, 2025
- Wind/Waves is releasing in 2026, with DLC in 2027.
- Pokémon Legends: Galar is releasing 2027 or beyond.
- Pokémon Multi-Region Remake in 2028 or beyond.
- Pokopia will get DLC.
- Pokémon Champions was… pic.twitter.com/OcuIChALaj
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