Palworld Creator Releases New Switch Title Amidst Legal Battle

Pocketpair, the developer embroiled in a lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company over its game Palworld, has surprisingly released its 2019 title, OverDungeon, on the Nintendo eShop.

OverDungeon, a unique blend of action card game and tower defense mechanics with roguelike elements, initially launched on Steam in 2019. This marks Pocketpair's first Nintendo Switch release, announced without prior warning. To celebrate the launch, OverDungeon is currently available at a 50% discount until January 24th. The decision to release OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop, rather than other platforms where Palworld is available (PS5 and Xbox), has sparked online speculation, with some suggesting it's a strategic response to the ongoing legal battle.

The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, alleges that Palworld's Pal Spheres infringe on Pokémon's creature-capturing patents. While Pocketpair has acknowledged the situation, the legal proceedings remain ongoing, with some experts predicting a lengthy process. Despite the controversy, Palworld continues to receive updates and has even seen a recent collaboration with Terraria, adding a new Pal and promising further content throughout 2025. Future plans for Palworld also include a Mac port and a potential mobile release.

This unexpected release of OverDungeon adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation between Pocketpair and Nintendo. The company's actions, from the December Palworld update to the surprise OverDungeon launch, continue to generate significant discussion within the gaming community.