Palworld Developer Surprise Launches Another Game on Nintendo Switch Despite Lawsuit

Summary

• Pocketpair surprisingly released OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop.
• OverDungeon is a unique blend of action card game, tower defense, and roguelike mechanics.
• Despite a legal battle with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pocketpair celebrated the launch with a 50% discount.

In a surprising move, Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, launched its 2019 title OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop. This release comes amidst an ongoing legal dispute with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

In September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, alleging that Palworld's "Pal Spheres" infringed on Pokémon's creature-capturing system patents. The lawsuit generated significant controversy. While Pocketpair acknowledged the situation as "unfortunate" and pledged cooperation, the release of a major Palworld update in December, boosting its concurrent Steam players, demonstrated a continued commitment to the game. Now, the unexpected launch of OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop adds another layer to this complex situation.

On January 9th, Pocketpair quietly released OverDungeon for Nintendo Switch. Initially launched on Steam in 2019, OverDungeon is an action card game incorporating tower defense and roguelike elements, as described on the Nintendo eShop. This marks Pocketpair's first Nintendo Switch title, and its release was unannounced. To celebrate the launch, OverDungeon is available at a 50% discount until January 24th. The decision to release OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, while Palworld is available on PS5 and Xbox, has sparked speculation online, with some suggesting it might be a strategic response to the ongoing lawsuit.

Pocketpair Launches Its First Nintendo Switch Game Amid Lawsuit

While Palworld is Pocketpair's most well-known game, it's not the first to draw comparisons to Nintendo titles. In 2020, the company released Craftopia, an RPG with visual similarities to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Craftopia continues to receive updates on Steam. Meanwhile, Pocketpair has maintained active promotion of Palworld, even after the lawsuit, recently announcing a collaboration with Terraria. This collaboration introduced a new Pal, Meowmeow, with further Terraria-themed content planned for 2025.

Since the lawsuit's inception, limited further information has been shared by the involved parties. Patent experts suggest the case could potentially last for years without a settlement. Beyond the Terraria collaboration, Pocketpair has hinted at future plans for Palworld in 2025, including a Mac port and a possible mobile release.