Summary
- In a surprise release, Pocketpair has made its 2019 title, OverDungeon, available on the Nintendo eShop.
- OverDungeon is a unique action card game that blends tower defense and roguelike elements.
- To celebrate the Switch launch, Pocketpair is offering a 50% discount until January 24, despite the ongoing legal battle.
In a move that caught many off guard, Pocketpair, the studio behind Palworld, has released its 2019 game OverDungeon on the Nintendo eShop. This comes as Pocketpair faces prolonged scrutiny, following accusations from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company of patent infringement related to Palworld.
In September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company initiated a lawsuit against Pocketpair over its hit monster-taming game, Palworld. The plaintiffs argue that Palworld's creature-capturing mechanics, particularly the Pal Spheres, infringe on patented technology used in Pokémon games. This legal action sparked widespread debate across the gaming industry. Pocketpair acknowledged the situation as "unfortunate" but committed to cooperating fully with the investigation. Despite the lawsuit, Palworld launched a major update in December, leading to a significant resurgence in its concurrent player count on Steam. Now, in another unexpected development, Pocketpair has brought a different game to the Nintendo eShop.
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On January 9, Pocketpair quietly launched OverDungeon for the Nintendo Switch. Originally released on Steam in 2019, OverDungeon is described on the eShop as an action card game that incorporates tower defense and roguelike strategies. This marks Pocketpair's debut title on the Switch, yet the company made no prior announcement about the release. However, Pocketpair confirmed a celebratory 50% discount for the game, valid until January 24. Given that Palworld is available on PlayStation and Xbox but not Switch, the decision to launch OverDungeon here is intriguing. Some observers on social media speculate this could be a subtle strategic response to the ongoing legal dispute with Nintendo.
Pocketpair Launches Its First Nintendo Switch Game Amid Lawsuit
While Palworld is undoubtedly Pocketpair's most recognized title, it is not the first to draw comparisons to Nintendo's iconic franchises. In 2020, the studio released Craftopia, an action-adventure game often noted for its aesthetic similarities to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Craftopia continues to receive updates on Steam, with the latest arriving in December. Meanwhile, development and promotion of Palworld have continued steadily post-lawsuit. The game recently announced a crossover event with Terraria. The first phase introduced a new Pal named Meowmeow, with Pocketpair promising more Terraria-inspired content throughout 2025.
Since the lawsuit was filed, little new information has emerged from either side. Legal analysts suggest that without a settlement, the case could extend for several years. Beyond the Terraria collaboration, Pocketpair has hinted at an ambitious roadmap for Palworld in 2025, including potential ports for Mac and mobile platforms.
