Nintendo Wins Injunction in Genki Lawsuit Over Pre‑Launch Switch 2 Display
- Sagar Mankar
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Nintendo and accessory maker Genki have officially reached a settlement in their legal dispute over a Switch 2 mockup displayed earlier this year at CES 2025.
The case came into the spotlight after Genki showed off what it claimed to be a 3D-printed model of the unreleased Switch 2, complete with digital renders and even early accessories designed to fit the system. At the time, the actual console hadn’t been revealed, which naturally stirred a lot of curiosity — and, as you’d expect, caught Nintendo’s attention.
What sparked the lawsuit?
Back in January 2025, Genki presented accessories and a mockup for the Switch 2 at CES, suggesting they were built using insider knowledge of the console. Reports from outlets covering the event noted that Genki’s reps hinted they had “seen and used” the new system.
The mockup also hinted at features like magnetic Joy-Cons, a GameChat button, and an additional USB-C port. To make things more convincing, the company also uploaded a flashy 3D render video to its own site.
Nintendo filed its lawsuit in May 2025, accusing Genki of “trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising.” According to the official complaint, “Defendant began to advertise and promote accessories for use with the Switch 2 (the ‘Prerelease Genki Accessories’) at least as early as January 7, 2025, which was prior to Plaintiff’s announcement of the Switch 2 name and design.”
Nintendo further noted that Genki “publicly exhibited an alleged 3-D printed mockup and digital render of the Switch 2 at CES 2025, which displayed Nintendo’s trademarks prior to the First-look Trailer.”
Court filings also outlined how Genki promoted its products under names like “Glitch 2” and hosted a so-called “Genki Direct,” borrowing heavily from Nintendo’s branding style.
The settlement details
So, what’s the outcome? Genki has agreed to pay Nintendo damages — though the amount remains confidential. Both sides will cover their own legal fees.
Importantly, Genki and all other subsidiaries of Human Things have also pledged to stop using anything that might confuse consumers into thinking it’s affiliated with Nintendo. That means no more “Glitch” or “Glitch 2” branding/logo, no “Genki Direct” or “Genki Indirect” showcases, and no marketing that could imply a partnership with Nintendo.
The injunction even extends to packaging, color schemes, and promotional language. For example, the order specifically bars Genki from “implementing product packaging… that replicate or are confusingly similar to Nintendo’s core color schemes (namely, red and white, red and blue, green and pink, blue and yellow, purple and orange, pink and yellow, and purple and green).”
On top of that, Genki formally admitted that it never obtained a pre-release Switch 2 console, nor did it have access to internal files or design documents.
The ruling also forces Genki to clearly label itself as an unlicensed accessory manufacturer, meaning players won’t be left wondering if their products are official or not.
Why Nintendo pressed hard
Nintendo’s pushback isn’t surprising. The Switch 2 wasn’t officially revealed until January 16, 2025, followed by a full technical breakdown in April. By showcasing an unofficial mockup before then, Nintendo argued that Genki risked misleading the public.
Reports even suggest Nintendo’s legal team directly visited Genki’s CES booth, which shut down a full day early after the confrontation.
The news comes just a day after Nintendo secured a $2 million settlement in its lawsuit against Ryan Daly, the operator of the website Modded Hardware, who was accused of selling Switch modchips and devices that enable piracy.
Source: Document
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