Palworld Japan Ban Potential Lawsuit Impact

Following its Xbox and PC release, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as announced during September 2024's PlayStation State of Play. However, a significant exception exists: the PS5 launch has been indefinitely delayed in Japan.

Palworld's PlayStation 5 Debut and the Japanese Delay

The PlayStation 5 version of Palworld launched globally, as showcased in the PlayStation State of Play trailer featuring Aloy-inspired gear. This trailer highlighted the game's arrival on PS5.

Despite the worldwide release, Japanese PlayStation players are currently unable to access the game. This delay is strongly linked to ongoing legal action. Nintendo and Pokémon have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair, Palworld's developer, in Japan.

Uncertainty Surrounds the Japanese Release Date

Palworld's official Japanese Twitter (X) account confirmed the global release, excluding Japan, and apologized for the delay. They stated that a Japanese release date remains undetermined.

The reason for the delay remains officially unstated by Pocketpair, but the ongoing legal battle with Nintendo and Pokémon over patent infringement is widely assumed to be the cause. Nintendo's lawsuit, filed in Tokyo Court, seeks an injunction and damages, potentially leading to the game's shutdown if the injunction is granted. This uncertainty casts a shadow over the future of Palworld's Japanese PS5 release.