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Palworld PS5 Japan Release Blocked by Nintendo Lawsuit

by Madison Dec 10,2024

The PlayStation 5 release of Palworld, announced at the September 2024 PlayStation State of Play, is experiencing a delay, specifically in Japan. While the game launched globally on PS5, Japanese players are facing an indefinite postponement.

This delay is strongly linked to an ongoing legal battle between Nintendo/Pokémon and Palworld's developer, Pocketpair. Nintendo filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Tokyo, seeking injunctions and damages. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact Palworld's availability, potentially leading to a complete shutdown.

The official Palworld PlayStation 5 launch trailer, shown at the State of Play event, highlighted features including Aloy-inspired gear from Horizon Forbidden West. However, the Japanese Palworld Twitter (X) account issued an apology, confirming the game's unavailability in Japan and the lack of a confirmed release date. They cited ongoing circumstances preventing a timely release, strongly implying the Nintendo lawsuit is the cause. The uncertainty surrounding the legal proceedings leaves the future of Palworld's Japanese PS5 release uncertain. The potential for an injunction could lead to the game's removal from the market entirely.