Nintendo is taking legal action against Genki, a gaming accessory brand, for revealing mockups of the upcoming Switch 2 before its official announcement. The Japanese gaming company filed a lawsuit, accusing Genki of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and misleading advertising. According to the lawsuit, Genki promoted accessories it claimed would work with the Nintendo Switch 2, even though the console had not been released publicly.
Mockups Spark Controversy at CES 2025
You may have seen the buzz online earlier this year when Genki showed off Switch 2 mockups at the CES 2025 event in Las Vegas. Videos and images shared by Genki suggested they had access to the next-gen Nintendo console, sparking confusion and excitement among fans. In response, Nintendo quickly released a statement to clarify that the hardware and images shared by Genki were not official.
Genki later claimed their designs were based purely on leaked details and not on any physical console. They insisted they did not possess or own a black-market version of the Switch 2. However, Nintendo argues that Genki’s public statements were inconsistent and misleading. Despite changing their explanation, Genki continued to suggest that its products would be compatible with the unreleased console.
Nintendo claims damage to its reputation and sales
Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2 on January 16, shortly after the CES mockup incident. But the company says Genki hasn’t stopped riding the wave of publicity. In its complaint, Nintendo states that Genki is still using media attention to gain an advantage, potentially harming Nintendo’s accessory sales in the process.
One example cited in the lawsuit is Genki’s decision to hold its own “Genki Direct” livestream event shortly after Nintendo’s “Nintendo Direct” showcase. Nintendo believes this was a deliberate move to benefit from the traffic and interest generated by its announcement.
The video game giant says Genki’s actions risk misleading customers and could damage Nintendo’s reputation. The lawsuit aims to stop Genki from promoting accessories for the Switch 2 and using any branding or logos linked to Nintendo without permission.
Genki responds and prepares for PAX East
In a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Genki said it is taking the lawsuit seriously and is working with lawyers to respond carefully. The company has always been independent and focused on building creative gaming accessories for the wider gaming community.
“We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we stand by the quality and originality of our products,” Genki said. While they didn’t go into detail due to legal advice, Genki confirmed it would continue fulfilling orders and showcase its latest accessories at this week’s PAX East event.
So there’s been a lot of Genki in the news recently, and I thought it’d be a good time to address some rumors and set the record straight. 🧵
— GENKI (@GenkiThings) January 15, 2025
This legal dispute comes after years of speculation about Nintendo’s next-generation console. The original Switch was a huge success, and Nintendo says it began planning for the Switch 2 shortly after the first console launched. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened in April and will officially go on sale starting June 5.
