Palworld Launches on PS5 in Japan Amid Ongoing Legal Challenges with Nintendo

Palworld has finally made its debut on PS5 in Japan, arriving just ten days after its global launch. This release was confirmed by Pocketpair on Friday, October 4, following an unexpected delay that many speculated could have been longer. The game first became available on PS5 worldwide on September 24, catching many off guard right after Sony's State of Play presentation. However, it was absent from the PS5 in Japan at that time. 

While no official reason for the delay was provided, many observers believe it stemmed from the recent legal action taken by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair. The lawsuit, which surfaced shortly before the game's expected launch, centered around allegations of copyright violation. This scrutiny has been ongoing since the game's introduction back in January, primarily due to its striking resemblance to the designs and gameplay typical of Pokémon. 

Additionally, Palworld is also accessible in Japan on PC and Xbox. Amid the ongoing legal issues, which could potentially escalate in the United States with more complexities, Pocketpair has partnered with Krafton. This collaboration aims to release a mobile version of the game in the future.