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Pocketpair Would Love to Release Palworld on Nintendo Switch 2, Despite Pokémon Legal Battle
Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe says the studio would welcome discussions about bringing Palworld to Nintendo Switch 2, praising the console and its role in Japan’s games industry. A release is only a possibility: Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are still pursuing a patent infringement case against Pocketpair in Japan.
Nintendo filed its lawsuit in September 2024, and modified its complaint in November 2025 after Palworld changed mechanics including how players summon creatures. The case remains active in the Tokyo District Court, with a preliminary view planned for 9 November. Palworld reached more than 40 million players overall and nearly one million concurrent players on Steam at its 1.0 launch.
In short
- Pocketpair would like to discuss a Palworld release on Switch 2.
- Nintendo’s patent case against the developer is still active.
- Palworld has passed 40 million players.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A Switch 2 release could bring Palworld to a large audience and deepen its reach in Japan, while giving Nintendo players another creature-collecting game to enjoy. Pocketpair’s openness to discussions is a reasonable expression of commercial interest, and the ongoing lawsuit does not by itself establish that a release would be impossible.
The case against
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company may reasonably seek to protect patents they believe Palworld infringes, and the active case creates legal and commercial uncertainty for any Switch 2 release. Waiting for greater clarity could avoid costly disputes and help ensure that any launch respects the rights the courts ultimately recognise.
Explained simply
Palworld is an action and survival game from the Japanese studio Pocketpair. Players explore a large world, gather resources and befriend creatures called Pals, which can help with tasks and battles. The game has attracted tens of millions of players since its early release.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, which makes the Pokémon games, brought a patent infringement case against Pocketpair in Japan. Patent cases concern whether particular inventions or methods are protected by law; the dispute has drawn attention because Palworld’s creature-collecting gameplay is often compared with Pokémon. The case could affect Pocketpair’s options for developing and releasing the game in Japan and elsewhere.
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