Nintendo Sues Over Premature Switch 2 'Mockup' Reveal

Nintendo has initiated legal action against accessory manufacturer Genki, accusing them of trademark infringement following the release of renders depicting a "mockup" of the Nintendo Switch 2. This move comes after Genki showcased their mockup at CES 2025, months before Nintendo officially unveiled the new console.

A few months ago, it was reported that Nintendo's lawyers visited Genki, though the accessory maker claimed they had not signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Nintendo and thus felt secure in their actions. Genki stated that their Switch 2 mockup, which debuted three months before Nintendo's official reveal, was based on an actual Switch 2 system they had seen, which they used to develop their accessories.

According to court documents obtained by IGN, Nintendo alleges that Genki launched 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, unauthorized access to the unreleased console and allowed visitors to interact with the mockups. Furthermore, Nintendo argues that Genki's claims of compatibility with the Switch 2 were misleading, as they would require illegal early access to the console.

The court papers detail that in January 2025, Genki began advertising their unauthorized access to the Nintendo Switch 2, despite the console not being publicly revealed by Nintendo at that time. Genki's statements later became contradictory, as they denied possession of the console while still asserting that their accessories would be compatible with the Switch 2 upon release.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

View 3 ImagesNintendo also accused Genki of trademark infringement through their advertising, which directly competed with Nintendo's and its licensees' authorized accessory marketing. Additionally, Nintendo took issue with a tweet from Genki's CEO, Edward Tsai, hinting at "infiltrating" Nintendo's headquarters, and a website pop-up teasing secrecy about the Switch 2.

Nintendo is seeking to prevent Genki from using the "Nintendo Switch" trademark in their marketing, demanding the destruction of any products or marketing materials that reference Nintendo's branding, and requesting unspecified damages for infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, with the potential for these damages to be tripled.

In response, Genki issued a statement on social media, acknowledging the lawsuit and their serious approach to addressing it with legal counsel. They emphasized their independence and commitment to creating innovative gaming accessories, expressing pride in their work and confidence in their product's quality and originality. Genki mentioned ongoing preparations for PAX East and thanked their supporters, promising further updates while continuing to focus on their core mission of building gear for gamers.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on June 5, with pre-orders starting on April 24 at a price of $449.99. These pre-orders have seen high demand, and Nintendo has cautioned U.S. customers that delivery on the release date is not guaranteed. For more details, you can refer to IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.