Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against accessory maker Genki for trademark infringement, following Genki's release of Nintendo Switch 2 mockup renders months before Nintendo officially unveiled its next-gen console.
Recall that Genki, the peripheral manufacturer behind the controversial Switch 2 mockup showcased at CES 2025, faced legal scrutiny from Nintendo earlier this year. While Genki initially claimed no non-disclosure agreement existed with Nintendo, asserting they had "nothing to worry about," the situation has escalated.
During CES, Genki reportedly informed attendees their early Switch 2 prototype—revealed three months before Nintendo's official announcement—was allegedly modeled after actual Switch 2 hardware used for accessory development.
Court documents obtained by IGN reveal Nintendo alleges Genki deliberately exploited public hype around their upcoming console, pursuing claims for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive marketing.
Nintendo contends Genki falsely claimed proprietary access to unannounced hardware, letting visitors physically handle mockups while making unverifiable compatibility promises—a move Nintendo calls "impossible without unlawful early access" that "misleads consumers about product readiness."
"Beginning January 2025, [Genki] promoted unauthorized access to Nintendo's then-unrevealed Switch 2," state legal filings, noting Genki later backtracked on possessing actual hardware while continuing to advertise accessory compatibility.
CES 2025: Genki's Controversial Switch 2 Mockup
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Nintendo further alleges Genki's marketing improperly leveraged Nintendo trademarks while directly competing with licensed accessory partners.
The complaint highlights a January 20 Genki tweet showing CEO Edward Tsai miming secrecy with the tagline "Genki ninjas infiltrate Nintendo Kyoto HQ," plus a website popup joking "Can you keep a secret? We can’t..."—elements Nintendo claims demonstrate willful misconduct.
Seeking remedy, Nintendo demands Genki cease using "Nintendo Switch" branding, destroy infringing materials, and pay punitive damages potentially tripling actual losses from Genki's alleged violations.
Genki's weekend response acknowledged the lawsuit while affirming their independence: "We're addressing this seriously through legal channels, but remain committed to innovative gaming gear. Our PAX East plans continue as we focus on delivering quality products."
The statement concluded by thanking supporters and pledging business continuity: "We'll share updates when possible, but our priority remains serving gamers with original hardware solutions."
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5, with $449.99 pre-orders opening April 24 to overwhelming demand. Nintendo cautions My Nintendo Store customers that delivery dates may fluctuate due to exceptional order volume.
For complete ordering details, consult IGN's Switch 2 pre-order guide.
