Nintendo Target in Legal Probe for Alleged Palworld Rip-Off

Over half a year after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaint from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation and potential legal action against a rival game for suspected copyright infringement. However, Nintendo appears to have dropped the matter, with no further action taken. Meanwhile, Palworld's developers are focused on the game's full release later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-catching game, features creatures called Pals. Players capture Pals through battles, then utilize them for combat, labor, or as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, allowing players and their Pals to defend against hostile factions. Pals can be summoned for combat or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While Palworld shares certain design elements and mechanics with the Pokémon series, Nintendo's response has been, to date, inaction.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he's received no communication from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, despite the latter's initial public statement. Mizobe emphasizes his love for and respect for Pokémon, citing it as a formative influence. Regardless of legal proceedings, fan comparisons persist, fueled further by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.

Pocketpair CEO Denies Nintendo Copyright Complaints

A January blog post by the Palworld CEO also attributed the game's 100 character designs to a 2021 hire—a recent graduate who, according to Mizobe, had previously been unsuccessful in securing employment elsewhere. Palworld's unique "Pokémon with guns" concept and broad platform availability (beyond Nintendo consoles) contributed to its rapid rise in popularity.

Initial Palworld trailers sparked online speculation about the game's authenticity, largely due to its resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has suggested a PlayStation release is in the works, but other console ports remain unannounced.