Gaming News
Pocketpair CEO Wants Palworld on Switch 2 Despite Lawsuit
Developing
Photo: SHOX ART, Pexels All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 2 events from Oct 27, 2026 to Oct 28, 2026, drawn from 4 sources.
“If there’s ever a future where we have the opportunity to discuss or consider bringing Palworld to the Switch platform in some way, then we’d love to have those conversations.”
via comicbook.com
Our take
Mizobe's willingness to discuss a Switch 2 port signals that Pocketpair views the legal conflict as a barrier to be navigated rather than a permanent end to Nintendo relations. With the Tokyo District Court scheduled to issue a preliminary view on November 9, 2026, the outcome of that hearing will likely determine if the technical feasibility of a port can translate into a commercial reality.
Background
Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, launched in early access in 2024 and has sold over 30 million copies. The game drew immediate comparisons to Nintendo's Pokémon franchise due to similarities in creature designs and capture mechanics. In September 2024, Nintendo filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair.
In November 2025, Nintendo narrowed the lawsuit to focus on older versions of the game after Pocketpair patched out contested mechanics, including throwing a Pal Sphere to summon a Pal and Pal-based gliding. In October 2025, the Japanese Patent Office rejected Nintendo's patent application for creature-capture mechanics, a matter separate from the active lawsuit.
Prior to the Switch 2 launch, Pocketpair indicated a port was unlikely due to the original console's technical limitations. The Switch 2 hardware now supports current-gen performance, removing the technical barrier, but the legal conflict remains the primary obstacle to a potential release.
The timeline
-
Mizobe expresses interest in Switch 2 port to VGC
Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe reportedly told VGC that the studio would like to discuss bringing Palworld to Nintendo Switch 2, describing the console as a really amazing platform for the Japanese games industry.[2]
-
TweakTown reported on Mizobe's Switch 2 comments
According to TweakTown, Mizobe's comments highlight the studio's desire to engage with the Switch 2 platform despite the ongoing patent lawsuit, noting that publishing on a platform requires working with the platform holder.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. No primary source confirms the CEO's comments; both timeline events rest solely on reports from comicbook.com and tweaktown.com. Only the studio side is reported as speaking on the record, while the other party has not been quoted in this evidence. The patent lawsuit remains active with a court preliminary view expected, according to tweaktown.com.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
What happens next
November 9, 2026: The Tokyo District Court is expected to share its preliminary view on the patent infringement lawsuit, according to tweaktown.com.
Frequently asked
Is the Palworld Nintendo lawsuit over?
No, the lawsuit is not over. According to tweaktown.com, the patent lawsuit with Nintendo remains active as of October 28, 2026, making a port difficult to envision for now.
What did Takuro Mizobe say about Switch 2?
Mizobe stated that the Switch 2 is a really amazing platform, especially for the Japanese games industry. He added that if there is a future opportunity to discuss bringing Palworld to the Switch platform, the studio would love to have those conversations.
Why is a Palworld Switch 2 port difficult right now?
The primary barrier is the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit between Nintendo and Pocketpair. According to tweaktown.com, publishing on a platform means working with the platform holder, which is complicated by the active legal conflict.
Did Pocketpair change Palworld mechanics after the lawsuit?
Yes, Pocketpair patched out contested mechanics after Nintendo narrowed its lawsuit in November 2025. These changes included removing the ability to throw a Pal Sphere to summon a Pal and Pal-based gliding.
When will the Tokyo District Court share its view?
The Tokyo District Court is expected to share its preliminary view on November 9, 2026. According to tweaktown.com, this could say a lot about how the legal situation moves from here.
More related drama (4)
Sources (4)
- tweaktown.com, Palworld CEO wants to bring the game to Switch 2 despite ongoing Nintendo lawsuit, Oct 28, 2026.
- comicbook.com, Palworld Boss Responds to Demand for Switch 2 Release, Oct 27, 2026.
- gonintendo.com, Palworld CEO thinks Switch 2 is "really amazing," would love to bring Palworld to "the Switch platform in some way".
- nintendowire.com, Despite ongoing lawsuit, Pocketpair would love to bring Palworld to Switch 2, Oct 28, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 2 dated events from 4 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Pocketpair CEO Wants Palworld on Switch 2 Despite Lawsuit.”
GenZHype, 29 October 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/pocketpair-ceo-wants-palworld-on-switch-2-despite-lawsuit/.