Nintendo has taken legal action against accessory maker Genki, filing a lawsuit on Friday that accuses the company of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. This lawsuit comes in response to Genki's display of unauthorized mockups of the not-yet-announced Switch 2 at CES 2025. According to Nintendo, Genki has engaged in a strategic campaign aimed at capitalizing on the public's interest surrounding Nintendo's upcoming next-generation console.
Nintendo's lawsuit highlights that Genki promoted accessories it claimed were compatible with the Switch 2, despite lacking official access to the console. The company allegedly used the Switch logo in its marketing efforts, which Nintendo argues is misleading to consumers. Following the initial reports in January regarding Genki's presentation at CES, Nintendo issued a statement clarifying that neither the hardware nor the imagery presented by Genki were official representations of the upcoming console, as reported by IGN.
Initially, Genki suggested that it had access to a Switch 2, but later retracted this claim in a post on X, stating that it does “not own or possess a black market console.” Additionally, the company informed Game*Spark (translated by Automaton) that its mockups were based solely on leaked information. Nintendo's lawsuit argues that Genki's statements were “contradictory and inconsistent,” yet the company continued to assert that its accessories would be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 upon its release.
Even after Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2 on January 16, just over a week after Genki's CES mockups were unveiled, the lawsuit claims that Genki has continued to exploit the media attention and fan interest surrounding the anticipated console. Nintendo alleges that Genki has threatened sales of its own accessories by organizing events such as “Genki Direct,” which occurred immediately after Nintendo's own showcase.
In response to the lawsuit, Genki shared a statement on X, emphasizing that it is taking the allegations seriously and is collaborating with legal counsel to formulate a thoughtful response. “What we can say is this: Genki has always been an independent company focused on building innovative gaming accessories for the community we love,” the statement read. Genki further expressed pride in its work and commitment to the quality and originality of its products. The company also reassured its customers that it is continuing preparations to fulfill orders and showcase new products at PAX East this week.
