Nintendo recently filed a new patent that appears aimed at preventing Palworld from being released on mobile devices. According to Florian Mueller of Games Fray, the patent covers monster-catching mechanics specifically designed for touchscreen devices. This new filing allows Nintendo to potentially pursue legal action not only against Palworld Mobile, but also against Tencent’s Roco Kingdom: World.
Nintendo filed a patent application (number 2026-019762) this year and asked the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) to expedite its review. However, the JPO has responded, stating that the invention needs to demonstrate a new and unique element to avoid being considered obvious based on existing technology.
Mueller noted that the patent’s wording might be too wide-ranging for the JPO. Specifically, one claim broadly describes a game where players use a touchscreen to collect characters, battle with their own characters, and select actions – all primarily through touch input.
Okay, so I’ve been thinking about this new game, and honestly, the way you catch monsters feels pretty standard. According to Mueller, there’s really nothing new or groundbreaking happening under the hood – it’s just a typical monster-catching system, tech-wise.
The patent examiner has raised concerns about the patent’s approval, pointing to existing games and patents that demonstrate similar technology. Specifically, they mentioned ARK: Survival Evolved, PUBG Mobile, and several previously filed patent applications as evidence.
The Japanese Patent Office (JPO) rejected the application, stating that the core mechanic – determining capture success based on a ‘Monster Ball’ result – was already common knowledge in Pokémon games. They argued this existing knowledge meant the invention wasn’t new and therefore couldn’t be patented.
Nintendo is currently deciding how to proceed with a recent patent application. While they could drop the effort, experts believe they’ll likely try to convince the patent examiner to approve it. It’s common for initial rejections to prompt further discussion and stronger arguments, but in this case, the examiner’s reasoning is particularly strong, making Nintendo’s task quite challenging.
In April, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected Nintendo’s application to patent gameplay features where players summon allies to help in battle. This decision followed a review ordered in November 2025. Although not final, the rejection of the patent is a significant setback for Nintendo as it tries to protect Pokémon-like gameplay, particularly in games like Palworld from Pocketpair.
Pocketpair is collaborating with Krafton’s PUBG Studios to create a mobile version of Palworld, currently planned for release on Android and iOS in 2026. While the game is expected next year, a specific launch date hasn’t been announced yet.
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2026-05-19 17:14