Palworld Creator Releases New Switch Title Amid Litigation

Pocketpair's Surprise Nintendo eShop Launch Amidst Ongoing Lawsuit

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 comes as a surprise, given the lack of prior announcements. The launch coincides with a 50% discount running until January 24th.

The release is particularly noteworthy given Pocketpair's ongoing legal battle. In September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, alleging patent infringement related to Palworld's creature-capturing mechanics. Despite this, Pocketpair celebrated OverDungeon's debut with a significant price reduction, fueling speculation about the strategic implications of this move. The choice to release OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, while Palworld is available on PS5 and Xbox, has generated considerable discussion on social media.

OverDungeon's arrival isn't Pocketpair's first brush with comparisons to Nintendo properties. Their 2020 release, Craftopia, drew parallels to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite the ongoing Palworld lawsuit, Pocketpair continues to support both Craftopia and Palworld, with the latter recently receiving a major update and announcing a collaboration with Terraria. Future plans for Palworld include a Mac port and a potential mobile version.

The legal dispute between Pocketpair, Nintendo, and The Pokémon Company remains unresolved, with some legal experts predicting a protracted legal battle. Despite the uncertainty, Pocketpair's proactive approach, releasing OverDungeon and continuing development on other titles, demonstrates a determined stance amidst the controversy.