Palworld PS5 Ban in Japan Due to Legal Dispute

Following its Xbox and PC releases, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as revealed during September 2024's PlayStation State of Play. However, a significant exception exists: the PS5 launch has been delayed indefinitely in Japan. This delay is strongly linked to ongoing legal action involving Nintendo.

Palworld's PlayStation 5 Debut and the Japanese Delay

Palworld's PS5 State of Play Announcement

Despite the worldwide release, Japanese PlayStation players are currently unable to access the game. This is attributed to a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and Pokémon against Palworld's developer, Pocketpair.

The Uncertain Future of Palworld's PS5 Japan Release

Palworld's official Japanese Twitter (X) account addressed the situation. They acknowledged the global launch across 68 countries and regions but apologized to Japanese players for the indefinite delay, stating that a release date for Japan is yet to be determined. They pledged to make the game available to all PS5 users as soon as possible.

While Pocketpair hasn't explicitly stated the reason for the delay, it's widely believed to be a direct consequence of the legal battle with Nintendo and Pokémon in Japan. Nintendo's recent announcement of a lawsuit in Tokyo District Court, seeking injunctions and damages, casts a significant shadow over Palworld's future in Japan. A successful injunction could force Pocketpair to cease operations, potentially resulting in the game's removal.