Nintendo and Pokémon Company file patent lawsuit against Palworld developers

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are suing Pocketpair, the Japan-based studio behind the sport “Palworld,” which became a viral hit after the discharge of its prototype in January.

“Palworld” – which sold over five million copies in only three days – features armed player avatars and monsters that resemble creatures from Nintendo’s hugely popular “Pokémon” series.

In a press release, Nintendo said the businesses had “filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in the Tokyo District Court” on Wednesday.

“This lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages because Palworld … infringes several patent rights,” it said.

The statement didn’t specify how much compensation can be paid.

Nintendo added that the corporate would “take the necessary steps against any infringement of its intellectual property rights” to guard what it has “built with hard work over the years.”

“Palworld” remains to be in development, but an “Early Access version” costs $29.99 for US customers on the web platform Steam.

“Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called ‘Pals’ in this all-new open-world multiplayer survival and crafting game!” reads the outline.

Initial reviews of the sport were positive, although many identified the uncanny resemblance of the “Pals” to Pokémon characters, which is why critics and users nicknamed it “Pokémon with weapons.”

“Most people, myself included, thought this game was going to be a meme,” said a review left on Steam by game developer Pirate Software.

“It’s actually incredibly detailed, extremely well optimized and damn addictive.”

AFP has contacted Pocketpair for comment.

Pokémon has been a worldwide hit since its release as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy console in 1996.

The franchise, with the slogan “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” also includes movies and a hugely popular animated series.