Palworld PS5 Release Excludes Japan, Nintendo Lawsuit Likely the Reason

Exciting news for gamers worldwide: Palworld is finally making its way to the PS5 following its initial launches on Xbox and PC. The announcement came during the PlayStation State of Play in September 2024, where fans got a glimpse of the game's new features, including gear inspired by Aloy from Sony's Horizon Forbidden West. However, not everyone can dive into the action just yet.

Palworld PlayStation Debut Announced at State of Play

Palworld hit the PS5 today, thrilling fans across 68 countries and regions. The game's trailer, showcased at the PlayStation State of Play, featured characters donning Aloy-inspired gear, adding a fresh twist to the gameplay experience.

Despite the global launch, Japanese players are facing an indefinite wait. The Palworld PS5 version is on hold in Japan due to ongoing legal battles involving Nintendo and Pokémon, who have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the game's developer, Pocketpair.

Palworld PS5 Japan Release Date Still Undecided

Palworld's Japanese Twitter (X) account addressed the situation, stating, "As announced on the official PlayStation State of Play, the PS5 version of 'Palworld' was released today in 68 countries and regions worldwide."

The team expressed their apologies to eager PlayStation players in Japan, noting that the release date for their region remains undecided. "The release date for Japan has not yet been determined. We are very sorry for the Japanese people who have been looking forward to the release of 'Palworld', but we will do our best to deliver the game to all PS5 users as soon as possible."

While Pocketpair did not officially cite the reason for the delay, it's widely believed that the ongoing legal action by Nintendo and Pokémon in Japan is the cause. Last week, Nintendo filed a case in Tokyo Court, seeking an injunction and damages against Palworld. If the court grants the injunction, it could force Pocketpair to halt operations on Palworld, potentially leading to the game's removal.