Palworld Developer Surprise Launches Another Game on Nintendo Switch Despite Lawsuit

Pocketpair's Surprise Nintendo eShop Release Amidst Ongoing Lawsuit

Pocketpair, the developer embroiled in a patent infringement lawsuit concerning its game Palworld, 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 was unannounced, adding to the surprise.

The company is celebrating the Switch debut with a 50% discount until January 24th. This move follows months of controversy stemming from the September 2024 lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. They allege that Palworld's Pal Spheres infringe on Pokémon's creature-capturing patents.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, Pocketpair has remained active. Palworld received a major update in December, boosting its player count. The release of OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, a platform central to the lawsuit, has sparked speculation online regarding its strategic significance.

The choice to release OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, while Palworld is available on other consoles, is intriguing. Some speculate it's a strategic response to the lawsuit. This isn't Pocketpair's first brush with comparisons to Nintendo titles; their 2020 game Craftopia drew comparisons to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Pocketpair continues to support both Craftopia and Palworld, the latter with a planned Terraria crossover expanding throughout 2025 and potential future releases on Mac and mobile platforms. The Palworld lawsuit remains ongoing, with some experts predicting a lengthy legal process.

Key takeaways:

• OverDungeon, a genre-bending action-card game, is now available on the Nintendo eShop.
• The release is unexpected, given the ongoing lawsuit against Pocketpair.
• The 50% launch discount adds to the intrigue surrounding the move.
• The situation highlights the complexities of intellectual property in the gaming industry.

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