Palworld Launches on PS5: A Global Affair, Except in Japan
Palworld, the popular indie title by Pocketpair, made its official debut on the PS5 yesterday, September 24, extending its availability across the globe—except in Japan. Previously launched on Xbox and PC in January 2024, the game’s surprise PS5 release was announced during Sony’s State of Play.
A Worldwide Release with One Major Exception
Now accessible in 68 countries, Palworld’s PS5 launch is notably absent in Japan. The delay is attributed to ongoing legal issues Pocketpair faces with The Pokémon Company. In an announcement shared through Palworld’s official X account, and reported by The Verge, the company confirmed the game’s unavailability on the PS5 in Japan.
An English translation from the original Japanese post states: “In Japan, the release date has not yet been decided.” The team expressed that efforts are underway to bring the game to Japanese players on the PS5 “as soon as possible,” asking for patience from its fans. The legal entanglements further complicate Palworld’s release timeline in Japan. Just last week, Pocketpair was sued by Pokémon and Nintendo over patent infringement claims, putting the game’s future on shaky ground.
Palworld’s Uncertain Future on PS5 in Japan
Legal Challenges Pose Significant Obstacles
From its inception, Palworld has been compared to Pokémon. However, it wasn’t until recently that The Pokémon Company took decisive action. Both The Pokémon Company and Nintendo filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair last week, although the specific designs under scrutiny remain unspecified.
Despite these legal challenges, Palworld’s PS5 launch proceeded, a move that caught many by surprise. Nevertheless, the lawsuit is likely the reason for the Japanese release delay. Typically, Japanese copyright legal disputes can last between 12 to 18 months. Consequently, even if Pocketpair manages to win the legal battle, Palworld might not grace Japanese PS5 consoles for at least another year.
Differing Reactions to the Palworld Lawsuit
Western Support vs. Japanese Skepticism
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While Western fans of Palworld have rallied in support of Pocketpair, the reaction in Japan has been starkly different. The Japanese audience largely aligns with Nintendo and Pokémon, as reflected in a Toyo Keizai article, which, when roughly translated, reads “Finally, Something Is Happening!”
Given the legal hurdles and the divided reception among the Japanese community, Palworld may never see a PS5 release in Japan. At the very least, Japanese enthusiasts will have to endure a potentially long wait, possibly spanning months or even years, before they can enjoy the game on the PlayStation 5.
Sources: X, The Verge, Toyo Keizai
