20 Most Controversial Games of the 2020s (So Far)
15. Palworld
When it launched in early access in January 2024, Palworld was commonly referred to by players and journalists alike as "Pokémon with guns," but this amusing nickname also sparked a wider discussion about where the lines between parody, homage and plagiarism actually lies.
The design similarities between some of the Pals and various Pokémon led some to believe that developer Pocketpair had straight-up lifted a few of them wholesale from Pokémon.
Though Pocketpair denied any wrongdoing, the ever-IP-protective Nintendo issued a statement indicating they would investigate the matter, and in September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair.
At the time of press the lawsuit is ongoing, while the court of public opinion remains firmly split, some dismissing Palworld as an obvious Pokémon rip-off while others feel that it differs enough tonally and gameplay-wise.
This is without even getting into the existential controversy about being able to use your Pals as slaves for in-game labour such as crafting weapons, which is a whole other can of worms.