Why Did Nintendo Sue Genki? Switch 2 Leak Controversy Explained

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Why Did Nintendo Sue Genki? Switch 2 Leak Controversy Explained

Nintendo’s legal team has earned a reputation for being quite ninja-like, always lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at anyone who dares to breach their intellectual property. This time, the target is Genki, an accessory company that showcased mockups and accessories for the Switch 2 months before the console was even announced.

In typical fashion, Nintendo has filed a lawsuit, throwing the legal book at the accessory maker in what can only be described as a swift and decisive move. Genki’s crime? Allegedly leaking confidential information and misleading consumers about its connection to the highly anticipated new console.

So, what exactly happened here? Let’s break it down.

What was leaked about the Nintendo Switch 2?

At CES 2025, Genki showcased what it claimed was a replica of the Nintendo Switch 2, a mockup made entirely by them, without any input from Nintendo. This was months before the console was even officially teased.

However, the company didn’t just stop off a few renders. According to reports, at the CES event, the company presented 3D-printed mockups, video renders, and accessories that were “compatible” with the upcoming console.

To make matters worse, it continued using Nintendo’s marks and designs in their videos, social media, and marketing, implying an official connection that didn’t exist. This didn’t just catch the attention of the gaming world, it raised serious red flags for Nintendo.

In fact, the Japanese giant even had to issue a statement clarifying that the hardware at CES is unofficial and was not provided by them (via

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Nintendo

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the lawsuit on May 2nd, accusing the accessory maker of false advertising, trademark infringement, and unfair competition. The lawsuit argues the claims of “day one” compatibility could only be true if Genki had unauthorized access to the Switch 2’s internal specs, something it didn’t.

Furthermore, Nintendo contends that the accessory maker misled consumers into believing they had insider information or an official relationship with the company. That’s a lot of red flags, more than enough to set off the legal team of any company.

How did Genki respond to Nintendo’s legal action?

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2 replica” lands the accessory maker in hot water. | Image Credit: Nintendo

After the lawsuit made headlines, Genki responded quickly and publicly. On

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, the company issued a statement acknowledging the legal action, saying it is “taking it seriously” and is working closely with legal counsel to craft a thoughtful response.

While it didn’t dive into specifics (probably to avoid making things worse), it did make it clear that the company is committed to handling the matter professionally.

A Note from the Genki Team

You may have seen that Nintendo recently filed a lawsuit against us. We’re taking it seriously and working with legal counsel to respond thoughtfully.

What we can say is this: Genki has always been an independent company focused on building innovative…

— GENKI (@GenkiThings)

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Genki also emphasized its identity as an independent company and reiterated its focus on creating innovative gaming accessories. While it’s proud of its work, due to the ongoing legal complexities, the company noted that it could not comment further on the matter.

Even though these words seem strong and filled with confidence, whether that’s enough to prevent Nintendo from steamrolling them remains to be seen.

Nintendo’s history of suing over leaks and IP infringement

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Let’s be real: Nintendo is no stranger to filing lawsuits, and Genki is just the latest in a long line of targets. In fact, its legal history could almost serve as a guidebook for intellectual property protection in the gaming world.

Take, for example, Palworld, the quirky survival game that caught its attention for using assets similar to those in Pokémon. The company sued the developers for copyright infringement (even though the patent was filed after the fact), forcing the developers to change the mechanic.

And, it’s not just game developers that are on the radar. The company has been vigilant in its pursuit of ROM websites (like Yuzu), hackers, and streamers who leak or modify games and consoles. In Japan, a man was even sent to prison for selling illegally modified Switch consoles (via

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The pattern is clear: The company doesn’t discriminate against anyone if it believes the person, a company, or a website is violating its intellectual property; be ready for a lawsuit.

Even though the lawsuit against Genki seems like a more solid case than others, it’s just another chapter in the company’s long-running efforts to keep a tight grip on its brand and prevent any leaks or unauthorized content from slipping into the public eye.

As for Genki, the company shouldn’t have been so bold in its approach to revealing its ‘compatible’ products, it may have underestimated the power of Nintendo’s ninja-like legal team. For now, the drama continues. Let’s see how this gets settled.

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