Palworld's PS5 Exclusion in Japan Sparks Lawsuit Rumors

The PlayStation 5 release of Palworld, announced at PlayStation's September 2024 State of Play event, is facing an unexpected delay in Japan. While the game launched globally on PS5, Japanese players are currently unable to access it. This delay is strongly suspected to be a direct result of an ongoing legal battle between Palworld's developer, Pocketpair, and Nintendo/Pokémon.

A patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo in a Tokyo court is the likely culprit. The lawsuit seeks injunctions and damages, potentially leading to the game's complete shutdown if successful. While Pocketpair hasn't explicitly confirmed the connection, their statement on the official Japanese Twitter (X) account acknowledges the delay and apologizes to Japanese fans, stating that a release date is yet to be determined.

The global PS5 launch included a trailer showcasing Palworld's Aloy-inspired gear, highlighting the collaboration with Sony's Horizon Forbidden West. However, this celebratory launch is overshadowed by the legal uncertainty surrounding the Japanese release. The situation remains unresolved, leaving Japanese PlayStation players in limbo, awaiting further updates from Pocketpair regarding the future of Palworld in their region. The potential for an injunction casts a significant shadow over the game's continued availability, not just in Japan, but potentially worldwide.