As Nintendo prepares to take on the U.S. government over disputed tariffs, a new game called "Pickmon" has quietly appeared on Steam, raising eyebrows for its striking resemblance to Nintendo's iconic properties.
If "Pokémon," "Palworld," and "Zelda" had a child, this would be this game.
Open-World Survival Meets Monster Collecting
"Pickmon" markets itself as a "multiplayer open-world survival crafter" where players explore an uncharted continent populated with mysterious creatures called Pickmon.
Gamers can tame these creatures using collectible cards, team up with them to fight enemies, gather resources, farm land, and construct expansive "industrial empires." The gameplay also nods to "Palworld," making it more controversial in the eyes of Nintendo-watchers.
Developed by PocketGame and published by NETWORKGO, known for the niche fantasy title "Hainya World," "Pickmon" is obviously taking the open-world route with monster-taming mechanics similar to the beloved "Pokémon" games and "Breath of the Wild."
Legal Hurdles for IP and Copyright
Nintendo is notorious for aggressively defending its intellectual property. The company is currently entangled in litigation with Pocketpair, the studio behind "Palworld," over alleged Pokémon-style monster capture mechanics.
A 2025 review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of Nintendo's patents adds complexity to this already tense dispute. With "Pickmon" directly mirroring elements of Nintendo's IP, legal action seems likely to follow.
Corporate Courtroom Battles Continue
Beyond copyright concerns, Nintendo is simultaneously challenging U.S. tariffs in federal court, according to Polygon. It claimed that the duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unlawful.
While the company has successfully defended its IP in many cases, losses like the Costa Rican "Super Mario" grocery store show that even Nintendo doesn't always win.
Given Nintendo's history and ongoing vigilance over monster-taming games, "Pickmon" may face a short lifespan on digital marketplaces. Until then, players and critics are left to judge its gameplay and its audacity while the legal dust settles.
The upcoming "Palworld" TCG game will also likely be the subject of a lawsuit soon. It is slated for a July 30 release for card game fans who want to slightly shy away from Pokémon.
Originally published on Player One
