Palworld Developer Surprises Fans with New Game Launch on Nintendo Switch Amid Ongoing Lawsuit

Overview of Pocketpair’s Latest Release

Pocketpair catches fans off guard by releasing OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop.
This game combines action card game elements with tower defense mechanics.
Despite facing legal challenges, the company celebrates OverDungeon’s launch with a 50% discount.

In a surprising development, Pocketpair, the studio behind Palworld, has unveiled its 2019 title OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop. This unexpected release comes as Pocketpair grapples with legal issues following allegations of patent infringement concerning its popular monster-taming game, Palworld, by both Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

Pocketpair Launches Its First Nintendo Switch Game Amid Legal Struggles

The conflict escalated in September 2024, when Nintendo and The Pokémon Company initiated a lawsuit against Pocketpair, asserting that Palworld’s Pal Spheres function similarly to Pokéballs, thus infringing on Pokémon’s creature-capturing system patents. This lawsuit has stirred significant debate within the gaming community. Pocketpair labeled the situation “unfortunate,”while expressing commitment to following due legal processes. Despite the ongoing court battles, the company successfully rolled out a substantial update for Palworld in December, which notably increased its player count on Steam. Now, in a bold strategic move, Pocketpair has launched OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop.

On January 9, Pocketpair discreetly introduced OverDungeon for the Nintendo Switch, a game that originally debuted on Steam in 2019. Described as a hybrid of action card game and tower defense elements with roguelike features on the Nintendo eShop, OverDungeon represents Pocketpair’s inaugural release on the Switch platform. Notably, there were no prior announcements of this launch. To celebrate its arrival on the Switch, Pocketpair is offering a limited-time 50% discount until January 24. However, this release raises questions, especially since Palworld is also available on PS5 and Xbox platforms while OverDungeon seems exclusive to Nintendo.

Overdungeon releases on the Nintendo Switch—50% off sale to celebrate the release! Roguelike x Tower Defense x Card Game Genre-blending real-time action card game on Nintendo eShop https://t.co/kKhBTQRpcp pic.twitter.com/piYAG0AH3z — Pocketpair – Craftopia (@PocketpairGames) January 9, 2025

While Palworld remains Pocketpair’s flagship title, it is not the first game from the developer to draw comparisons to Nintendo’s products. In 2020, Pocketpair launched Craftopia, an RPG similar in aesthetic to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Craftopia continues to receive regular updates on Steam, most recently in December. Meanwhile, Pocketpair has actively promoted Palworld following the litigation, announcing a collaboration with Terraria. The first phase of this partnership introduced a new pal named Meowmeow, with additional content related to Terraria expected throughout 2025.

In the wake of the lawsuit, discussions around the case have remained scarce. Patent law experts suggest that the litigation could extend for years if the parties do not reach an amicable settlement. Additionally, amid the ongoing challenges, Pocketpair has hinted at further developments for Palworld, including potential ports for Mac and mobile devices in 2025.

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