Palworld Developer Surprise Launches Another Game on Nintendo Switch Despite Lawsuit

Pocketpair's Surprise Nintendo eShop Launch Amidst Legal Battle

Pocketpair, the developer behind the controversial Palworld, unexpectedly released 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 and arrives amidst an ongoing legal dispute.

The company has been embroiled in a lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in September 2024, alleging patent infringement regarding Palworld's Pal Spheres. Despite this, OverDungeon's launch was celebrated with a 50% discount, running until January 24th. The strategic decision to release OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, while Palworld is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, has sparked online speculation, with some suggesting it's a calculated response to the ongoing legal proceedings.

OverDungeon, initially a Steam exclusive, is now available for Nintendo Switch. The lack of prior announcement surrounding this release adds to the intrigue.

A History of Comparisons

This isn't the first time Pocketpair's games have drawn comparisons to Nintendo titles. Their 2020 RPG, Craftopia, bore resemblance to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite this, Craftopia continues to receive updates. Meanwhile, Palworld, despite the lawsuit, continues to receive updates, including a recent major update and a planned collaboration with Terraria, with more content expected in 2025. Future plans for Palworld also include Mac and potential mobile ports.

The legal battle between Pocketpair, Nintendo, and The Pokémon Company remains ongoing, with some experts predicting a protracted legal process. Further details from the involved parties remain scarce.