Palworld studio still hopes to release the game on Switch 2 one day, despite being in a legal battle with Nintendo
Pocketpair says it remains interested in bringing Palworld to Nintendo’s Switch 2, despite its ongoing patent infringement dispute with Nintendo. CEO Takuru Mizobe described the console as an impressive platform and said the studio would welcome discussions if an opportunity arose.
A release is uncertain while the legal case continues, and the console would also need to run the demanding game. The Tokyo District Court is due to give a preliminary view on 9 November. Palworld has sold more than 30 million copies since its 2024 release, and its July 1.0 update drew nearly one million concurrent players on Steam.
In short
- Pocketpair still hopes to bring Palworld to Switch 2.
- The Nintendo lawsuit makes a port uncertain.
- The game has sold over 30 million copies.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Pocketpair can reasonably remain open to a Switch 2 release: the console is an impressive platform, and bringing Palworld to it could give more players access to a successful game. Welcoming discussions leaves room for a future agreement while the court considers the dispute, and the studio can assess whether the hardware can run the game well.
The case against
A release may be premature while Nintendo’s patent case remains unresolved: pursuing a deal could complicate the dispute or create legal and commercial uncertainty for both companies. The game’s technical demands may also make a strong Switch 2 version difficult, so waiting for the court’s preliminary view and assessing feasibility could protect the studio’s resources and players’ experience.
Explained simply
Palworld is a video game made by Japanese studio Pocketpair. Players explore a large world, collect creatures called Pals and use them to fight, build and gather resources.
Nintendo makes the Switch consoles, including the newer Switch 2. Pocketpair has said it likes the new console and would consider bringing Palworld to it if a chance arose.
Nintendo and Pocketpair are in a court dispute over patents, which are legal protections for inventions and ideas. The case matters because its outcome could affect the companies’ options, while a Switch 2 version would also depend on the console being able to run the game.
Business Companies Entertainment Gaming Software Technology