When it debuted as an early access game in 2024, the popular action/collection videogame Palworld was an instant hit but it didn't take a judicial expert to predict that its similarities to Pokemon would invite legal action.

As you'd expect, Pocketpair's decision traces back to its legal defense. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued the developer in Japan last year, claiming Palworld infringes on multiple patents. Since then, Nintendo has filed a flurry of patent applications in the US in an apparent scheme to go global with its legal assault.

This started with a patch on November 30th, which most notably removed the ability to summon creatures by throwing a “Pal Sphere,” which is reminiscent of summoning pokémon with a Poké Ball. The studio adds that other changes were made, without specifying what they were.