Nintendo Sues Accessories Company For Sharing Switch 2 'Mockup' Months Before Official Reveal

Nintendo has taken legal action against accessory manufacturer Genki, accusing the company of trademark infringement after it showcased renders of a Nintendo Switch 2 "mockup" well before Nintendo's official reveal of its new console. The controversy began at CES 2025 in January when Genki displayed the Switch 2 mockup, claiming it was based on a real system they had access to, three months prior to Nintendo's formal unveiling.

Despite Genki's initial confidence, stating they had not signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Nintendo and thus had "nothing to worry about," the situation escalated. Court papers obtained by IGN reveal that Nintendo is suing Genki for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. Nintendo alleges that Genki embarked on a "strategic campaign" to exploit public interest in the upcoming console, claiming unauthorized early access to the unreleased Nintendo Switch 2 and misleading consumers about the compatibility of their accessories.

The court documents state that in January 2025, Genki advertised having gained unauthorized access to the Nintendo Switch 2, despite the console not being released or publicly revealed by Nintendo at that time. Genki's statements were later contradicted, with the company admitting they never possessed a console, yet they continued to assert that their accessories would be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 upon its release.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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Nintendo also accused Genki of infringing its trademarks through advertising and competing directly with Nintendo's and its licensees' authorized accessories. A tweet from Genki's CEO Edward Tsai, hinting at "infiltrating" Nintendo's Kyoto headquarters, and a website pop-up teasing secrecy, further fueled Nintendo's grievances.

Nintendo is seeking to prevent Genki from using the "Nintendo Switch" name in its marketing, demanding the destruction of any products or marketing materials referencing Nintendo's branding, and requesting unspecified damages for infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, with the damages to be potentially tripled.

In response, Genki issued a statement over the weekend, acknowledging the lawsuit and expressing their commitment to working with legal counsel. They emphasized their independence and dedication to creating innovative gaming accessories, reaffirming their pride in their work and the quality of their products. While unable to comment in detail, Genki confirmed they are preparing to fulfill orders and showcase new products at PAX East. They thanked their supporters and promised to share more information when possible, focusing on continuing to build gear for gamers.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to debut on June 5, with pre-orders starting on April 24 at a price of $449.99. Due to high demand, Nintendo has warned U.S. customers that release date delivery is not guaranteed for those who pre-ordered through the My Nintendo Store. For more information, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.