Palworld, showcased at PlayStation's September 2024 State of Play event, finally arrives on PlayStation consoles after its Xbox and PC debuts. However, a wrinkle emerged: the PS5 launch is delayed indefinitely in Japan due to legal issues with Nintendo.
Palworld's PS5 Japan Release: An Unexpected Delay
Palworld's PlayStation State of Play Debut
As announced during the September 2024 PlayStation State of Play, Palworld launched on PS5 globally. Sony even highlighted the game, showcasing a character sporting Horizon Forbidden West-inspired gear.Despite the global launch, Japanese PlayStation gamers are currently excluded. The delay stems from a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and Pokémon against Pocketpair, Palworld's developer.
Japan Release Date: Uncertain Future for Palworld on PS5
Following Sony's announcement, Palworld's Japanese Twitter (X) account issued a statement: The PS5 version launched in 68 countries and regions, but a Japanese release date remains undetermined. The team apologized for the delay, promising to bring the game to Japanese PS5 players as soon as possible.
While Pocketpair hasn't explicitly stated the reason for the delay, the ongoing legal battle in Japan is widely assumed to be the cause. Nintendo's recent announcement of a Tokyo court case seeking injunctions and damages against Palworld adds weight to this speculation. A successful injunction could halt Palworld's operations entirely, potentially leading to the game's removal.
