By Sagar V. Mankar 
In an unexpected move, Pocketpair, the developer behind the controversial game Palworld, has released their game Overdungeon on the Nintendo Switch on January 9, 2025. This launch is particularly noteworthy because Pocketpair is currently involved in a legal dispute with Nintendo over patent infringement claims.
Overdungeon, a unique combination of roguelike gameplay and deck-building mechanics, was initially released on Steam in 2019. It was Pocketpair’s first-ever release, before Palworld and Craftopia.
Key Features:
- Dynamic Deck Building: Players can discover and choose from a variety of cards, including animals, buildings, spells, and traps, to create powerful decks.
- Roguelike Elements: Each playthrough offers a different experience with randomly generated maps, events, and enemies.
- Playful Cards: The game features quirky and humorous cards, such as those that summon alpacas, chickens, or dogs.
- Relic System: Players can find and combine relics to enhance their decks and strategies.
The timing of this release adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing controversy surrounding Palworld, often nicknamed “Pokémon with guns” by the gaming community. The game’s massive success, attracting 25 million players in just one month, drew significant attention – and not all of it positive. Players and critics alike pointed out striking similarities between Palworld’s creatures (called Pals) and Nintendo’s popular Pokémon characters.
Some of these similarities are quite apparent. For instance, Palworld’s character Sparkit shares characteristics with Pokémon’s mascot Pikachu, both being yellow, electric-themed creatures. Another example is Foxparks, which bears resemblance to the Pokémon Vulpix, though with its own unique design elements. However, some designs, like Mozzarina, show more direct similarities to existing Pokémon characters like Snorlax.
6. Fuack – Psyduck
7. Sparkit – Una mezcla entre Pikachu y Raichu pic.twitter.com/iQ5vZEnDSy
— Xisco (@CanXisco) January 21, 2024
The legal situation began intensifying a week after Palworld’s release when Nintendo announced its intention to investigate potential intellectual property infringement. However, it was not until September 2024 that the lawsuit was actually filed. The lawsuits specifically target the game’s catching mechanism, particularly Palworld’s use of “Pal Spheres,” which function similarly to Pokémon’s iconic Pokéballs.
Pocketpair’s response to the lawsuit has been notably measured. The company initially stated they were unclear about which specific patents they were allegedly infringing upon. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, they have continued to expand their game releases across different platforms (PS5, Mobile, MacOS) and altered some game mechanics via updates.