Nintendo Sues Accessories Firm Over Premature Switch 2 'Mockup' Release

Nintendo has initiated legal action against accessory manufacturer Genki, alleging trademark infringement following Genki's early display of a "mockup" of the Nintendo Switch 2 at CES 2025, months before Nintendo officially unveiled its new console.

Reflecting on events from a few months ago, Genki found itself in the spotlight after showcasing a Switch 2 mockup at CES 2025 in January. At the time, Genki reported a visit from Nintendo's legal team but maintained they had not signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Nintendo, asserting they had "nothing to worry about."

Genki claimed their Switch 2 mockup, which debuted three months prior to Nintendo's formal unveiling, was based on an actual Switch 2 system they had accessed and used for designing their accessories.

In court documents obtained by IGN, Nintendo accuses Genki of launching a "strategic campaign" to exploit public interest in the next-generation console. The lawsuit claims trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. Nintendo argues that Genki boasted about its alleged early access to the unreleased console, allowing guests to handle and measure the mockups. Furthermore, Nintendo contends that Genki's claims of accessory compatibility with the Switch 2 were misleading, as such guarantees would require unauthorized early access to the console.

The court papers state, "In January 2025, [Genki] began advertising that it gained unauthorized access to Nintendo's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, which had not yet been released or even revealed publicly by Nintendo."

Despite initially claiming access to a genuine Switch 2 console, Genki's statements became contradictory, with the company later denying possession of the console. Nevertheless, Genki continued to assert 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 alleges that Genki infringed on its trademarks through its advertising and directly competed with Nintendo and its authorized licensees.

Nintendo took issue with a tweet from Genki on January 20, featuring CEO Edward Tsai with a finger to his lips and the caption: "Genki ninjas infiltrate Nintendo Kyoto HQ" alongside a pop-up on the Genki website that read: "Can you keep a secret? We can’t..."

Nintendo is seeking to prevent Genki from using the "Nintendo Switch" trademark in its marketing, to have any infringing products or marketing materials destroyed, and to recover unspecified damages, which it wants to be trebled.

Over the weekend, Genki responded on social media, stating: "You may have seen that Nintendo recently filed a lawsuit against us. We’re taking it seriously and working with legal counsel to respond thoughtfully.

"What we can say is this: Genki has always been an independent company focused on building innovative gaming accessories for the community we love. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we stand by the quality and originality of our products. While we can’t comment in detail, we’re continuing preparations to fulfill orders and showcase our newest products at PAX East this week."

The statement concluded by thanking supporters for their "overwhelming support" and affirming their commitment to "building gear for gamers."

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to debut on June 5. Pre-orders commenced on April 24, with the console priced at $449.99, and were met with high demand. Nintendo has warned U.S. customers who pre-ordered through the My Nintendo Store that release date delivery is not guaranteed due to high demand.

For more information, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.