Palworld Dev: No Complaint from Nintendo on 'Pokémon Rip-Off' Claims

The developer of Palworld asserts that Nintendo has not yet lodged a complaint regarding the game being labeled a “Pokémon rip-off.” Palworld, known as ‘Pokémon with Guns,’ launched in early 2024 and gained significant popularity despite the controversy. Pocketpair, the developer, faced allegations and threats but emphasized their respect for Pokémon. Despite Nintendo’s initial actions to remove a related mod and statements from The Pokémon Company about investigating intellectual property violations, no formal complaint has been filed. A new update, Sakurajima, continues to draw comparisons with Pokémon. Pocketpair’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, recalls learning the difficulties of creating new content from his time at a Nintendo seminar.

As of now, Palworld is available on PC via Steam and Xbox. Although the developer has teased a PlayStation version, there is no indication of a release on Nintendo Switch.

Palworld's rapid rise to fame is a testament to its unique take on the monster-collecting genre, combining elements of traditional Pokémon gameplay with survival mechanics and shooter elements. Despite its controversy, the game has carved out a niche and continues to build a dedicated player base while navigating the legal landscape carefully.