The long-awaited release of Palworld on PlayStation (PS5) took the gaming community by surprise when it was announced during Sony’s September 2024 State of Play event. Developed by Pocketpair, Palworld—often described as “Pokémon with guns”—has been a hit since its early access launch earlier this year, attracting millions of players on platforms like PC and Xbox. Now, PlayStation 5 users can join the action-packed world of Palworld, but the launch hasn’t been without its challenges.
Surprise Release Amid Legal Battles
The PS5 release of Palworld occurred on September 24, 2024, with a surprise announcement during the State of Play. However, this launch comes against the backdrop of a legal battle with Nintendo, which has filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, claiming patent infringements. The lawsuit centers on similarities between Palworld and the Pokémon franchise, specifically pointing to mechanics like capturing creatures in a manner reminiscent of Pokéballs. Legal experts suggest that this lawsuit could drag on for years, making a swift resolution unlikely.
Interestingly, despite the game’s availability in 68 countries, including the U.S. and Europe, the PS5 release has been delayed indefinitely in Japan. It is speculated that the lawsuit may be one of the reasons behind this delay, although Palworld remains available on other platforms in Japan, such as PC and Xbox.
What Makes Palworld Unique?
Palworld sets itself apart with a mix of survival mechanics, base-building, and creature-catching gameplay. Players can capture, train, and even weaponize their Pals—fantastical creatures that can be used for farming, combat, and more. Unlike traditional games in the genre, Palworld also allows players to engage in high-octane battles using firearms, giving it a distinct edge over similar creature-collection games.
Will Palworld Ever Come to the Nintendo Switch?
Given the ongoing legal dispute, it’s unlikely that Palworld will ever be released on the Nintendo Switch. The lawsuit has heightened tensions, and industry experts believe Nintendo may have taken action to protect its market dominance in the creature-collection genre.
Pricing and Availability
Currently, Palworld is available on PlayStation 5 for around $29.99, consistent with its pricing on other platforms. The game has continued to grow its player base and remains a fan-favorite due to its mix of creative gameplay mechanics and survival elements.
As the lawsuit unfolds, fans of Palworld can enjoy the game on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox, but a future on Nintendo’s platform seems unlikely.
