Palworld PS5 Debuts Outside Japan Amidst Legal Woes

Following its Xbox and PC releases, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as revealed during September 2024's PlayStation State of Play. However, a significant exception exists: the PS5 launch is delayed indefinitely in Japan.

Palworld's PlayStation 5 Debut: A Global Launch with a Japanese Exception

Palworld's PS5 Arrival Showcased at State of Play

The PlayStation State of Play in September 2024 announced Palworld's PS5 release. Sony's trailer even highlighted a Palworld character sporting gear inspired by Horizon Forbidden West's Aloy.

Despite this global launch, Japanese PlayStation players are currently unable to access the game. This is due to ongoing legal action between Nintendo/Pokémon and Pocketpair, Palworld's developer.

Japan Release Date Remains Uncertain

Palworld's Japanese Twitter (X) account issued a statement acknowledging the global launch across 68 countries and regions, but confirming the absence of a Japanese release date. They apologized for the delay and pledged to bring the game to Japanese PS5 players as quickly as possible.

The reason for the delay is widely speculated to be the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo in a Tokyo court. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and damages, potentially leading to the cessation of Palworld's operations and removal from the market. The injunction, if granted, could significantly impact the game's future availability.