Overview
- Nintendo’s legal team has reportedly approached Genki regarding its showcased Switch 2 replica at CES 2025.
- The replica device is rumored to be modeled after a legitimate Switch 2 unit allegedly acquired through illicit means.
- The likelihood of Nintendo initiating legal proceedings against Genki remains indeterminate.
Nintendo has reportedly taken action against Genki, the manufacturer that generated buzz with its Switch 2 replica during CES 2025. This dummy model, which appears to be a close imitation of the anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch, has captured the attention of both fans and industry insiders alike. The legal scrutiny is likely tied to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the device’s creation.
Genki, known for its consumer electronics and accessories, made headlines when it unveiled the Switch 2 replica at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The reaction to its display was notable, not just for the product itself but for the rare case of Nintendo responding to leaks publicly.
According to French journalist Julien Tellouck, Nintendo’s lawyers confronted Genki representatives directly at their CES booth. This revelation came from an unnamed Genki spokesperson, who suggested that their company felt safe from any legal action because they did not sign a non-disclosure agreement with Nintendo. Nonetheless, reports from people at the event indicate that Genki chose to leave the trade show a day early, suggesting that the encounter may have affected their decision.
Genki’s Possible Legal Troubles Over Acquisition of Black Market Switch 2
The primary concern for Nintendo’s legal team seems to revolve around the reported origin of Genki’s replica. A Genki representative disclosed to the publication Numerama that the company’s mock device was modeled after an actual Switch 2 bought from the black market. If true, this would not only clarify how Genki had such detailed knowledge about the Switch 2 but could also place the company in a vulnerable legal position.
Possessing stolen property is against federal law in the United States, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2315 and § 659. If Genki’s alleged black market acquisition of the Switch 2 occurred in Japan, it would violate the Japanese Penal Code under articles 253 and 254. While these legal limitations pertain primarily to criminal cases, Nintendo could feasibly pursue civil charges for theft or conversion in either the U.S. or Japan.
Though Nintendo is known for its aggressive legal stance, the company has yet to indicate whether it will actively pursue Genki regarding the replica device. In the meantime, Nintendo has promised to officially announce its next console before March 31.
Sources: Numerama, GovInfo, Cabinet Secretariat of Japan
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