Palworld Developer Surprise Launches Another Game on Nintendo Switch Despite Lawsuit

Pocketpair's Surprise Nintendo Switch Release Amidst Legal Battle

Pocketpair, the developer embroiled in a legal dispute with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, unexpectedly launched its 2019 title, OverDungeon, on the Nintendo eShop. This action-card game, blending tower defense and roguelike elements, marks Pocketpair's first Nintendo Switch release. The launch, announced without prior fanfare, coincided with a 50% discount running until January 24th.

The company's move comes amidst an ongoing lawsuit stemming from Palworld, accused of infringing Pokémon's creature-capturing patents. While Palworld enjoys releases on PS5 and Xbox, the decision to debut OverDungeon exclusively on the Nintendo eShop has sparked online speculation, with some suggesting it's a strategic response to the legal challenge.

This isn't Pocketpair's first brush with comparisons to Nintendo titles. Their 2020 RPG, Craftopia, drew considerable resemblance to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite the ongoing lawsuit, Palworld continues to receive updates, including a recent collaboration with Terraria, adding a new Pal and promising further content in 2025. Plans for Palworld also include a Mac port and a potential mobile version.

The Palworld lawsuit, according to legal experts, could potentially span several years without a settlement. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Pocketpair remains active, releasing new content and expanding its game portfolio, albeit with a surprising platform choice for OverDungeon.

Key takeaways:

• OverDungeon, a hybrid action-card/tower defense game, launched unexpectedly on the Nintendo eShop.
• The release comes amidst Pocketpair's ongoing legal battle with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company over Palworld.
• The 50% launch discount for OverDungeon adds to the intrigue surrounding the release strategy.
• Pocketpair continues to support Palworld with updates and collaborations, despite the lawsuit.