Nintendo Sues Over Premature Switch 2 Mockup Reveal

Nintendo has initiated legal action against accessory manufacturer Genki, accusing the company of trademark infringement after Genki shared renders of a purported "Nintendo Switch 2" mockup well before Nintendo officially unveiled its new console. The controversy erupted during CES 2025 in January when Genki showcased its Switch 2 mockup, claiming it was based on an actual Switch 2 unit they had seen and used to design their accessories.

According to court documents accessed by IGN, Nintendo alleges that Genki embarked on a "strategic campaign" to exploit public interest in the upcoming console. The lawsuit accuses Genki of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. Nintendo claims that Genki boasted about having early access to the unreleased console and allowed attendees to interact with the mockups, misleading the public about the compatibility of their products with the Nintendo Switch 2.

The court papers state that in January 2025, Genki advertised having unauthorized access to the Nintendo Switch 2, which had not yet been publicly revealed by Nintendo. Initially, Genki claimed to have accessed a genuine console, but later contradicted this statement, admitting they never possessed one. Despite this, Genki continued to assure consumers that its accessories would be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 upon its release.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

View 3 ImagesNintendo also criticized a tweet from Genki's CEO Edward Tsai, who hinted at infiltrating Nintendo's Kyoto headquarters, and a pop-up on the Genki website suggesting they were privy to a secret. Nintendo is seeking to prevent Genki from using the "Nintendo Switch" trademark in its marketing, to destroy any products or marketing materials that reference Nintendo's branding, and to recover unspecified damages, which they request be tripled.

In response, Genki issued a statement on social media over the weekend, acknowledging the lawsuit and their collaboration with legal counsel to address it thoughtfully. Genki emphasized their commitment to innovation and quality in gaming accessories, expressing pride in their work and their ongoing preparations for PAX East. They thanked their supporters and reiterated their focus on creating gear for gamers, promising more updates when possible.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated to debut on June 5, with pre-orders starting on April 24 at a fixed price of $449.99. Due to high demand, Nintendo has warned U.S. customers that pre-order delivery on the release date is not guaranteed. For further details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.