Japanese Palworld Absence May Be Linked to Nintendo Suit

Following its Xbox and PC release, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as announced during September 2024's PlayStation State of Play. However, a significant exception exists: the game's PS5 launch has been delayed indefinitely in Japan.

Palworld's PlayStation 5 Debut and Japanese Delay

The PlayStation 5 version of Palworld launched globally, as showcased in Sony's State of Play trailer featuring Aloy-inspired gear.

Despite the worldwide release, Japanese PlayStation players will have to wait. This delay is strongly linked to ongoing legal action between Nintendo/Pokémon and Palworld's developer, Pocketpair. Nintendo filed a patent infringement lawsuit in a Tokyo court, seeking injunctions and damages.

Uncertainty Surrounds Japan Release Date

Palworld's official Japanese Twitter (X) account confirmed the global launch, excluding Japan, and apologized for the delay. They stated that a Japanese release date is yet to be determined.

The reason for the delay remains officially unstated by Pocketpair, but the pending lawsuit is widely considered the primary cause. A successful injunction could force Pocketpair to halt Palworld operations entirely, potentially resulting in the game's removal from the market. The situation remains uncertain for Japanese PlayStation gamers eagerly awaiting the game's release.