Palworld Omits Japan in PS5 Release Amid Nintendo Conflict

Following its Xbox and PC releases, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as announced 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 in Japan: An Unexpected Halt

Palworld's PS5 State of Play Reveal

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 Pocketpair, Palworld's developer.

The Uncertain Future of Palworld's Japanese PS5 Release

Palworld's official Japanese Twitter (X) account acknowledged the global launch, stating the PS5 version released in 68 countries and regions. However, they apologized to Japanese fans, confirming that a Japanese release date remains undetermined. The team pledged to bring the game to all PS5 users as soon as possible.

While Pocketpair hasn't explicitly stated the reason for the delay, the ongoing legal battle in Japan between Nintendo, Pokémon, and Palworld is widely considered the primary cause. Nintendo's recent announcement of a Tokyo court case seeking injunctions and damages against Palworld further fuels this speculation. A granted injunction could force Pocketpair to halt Palworld operations entirely, potentially leading to the game's removal.