Nintendo Takes Legal Action Against Genki Over Early Switch 2 Accessory Reveal

Nintendo has launched a lawsuit against accessory company Genki for allegedly jumping the gun on revealing details about the upcoming Switch 2 console. According to court documents, Nintendo is accusing Genki of trademark infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition.

[Switch 2] Nintendo is suing accessory maker Genki, the company that showed off a mockup of the Switch 2 at their CES 2025 booth before the console's official reveal. Nintendo alleges that Genki violated their trademarks.

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— OatmealDome (@oatmealdome.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:12 AM

The issue began back in January at CES 2025, a major tech event where Genki created a stir by showing off what they claimed was an exact replica of the unreleased Switch 2. Although the demo was kept behind closed doors, insiders reported that it matched the rumored specs at the time, including the size and the magnetic Joy-Con 2 system.

That buzz didn’t sit well with Nintendo. Their legal team paid a surprise visit to Genki’s booth at CES. Not long after that meeting, Genki packed up early and left the event a day before it officially ended.

Now, months later, the tension has turned into a full-blown legal battle. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit accuses Genki (also known as Human Things) of misusing Nintendo's trademarks and trying to ride the hype wave ahead of the Switch 2's official reveal.

Nintendo’s legal team didn’t just take issue with Genki's actions at CES. They're also pointing fingers at a promotional video Genki released on April 2, the same day Nintendo announced the Switch 2 release date and new game titles like Mario Kart World. In that video, Genki showcased a range of accessories designed for the upcoming console. Nintendo believes the timing wasn’t just a coincidence, calling it a deliberate move to benefit from the official reveal.

The lawsuit also singles out Genki CEO Eddie Tsai for using social media to promote these products. Nintendo wants Genki to immediately stop advertising or selling any accessories related to the Switch or Switch 2.

While the case is still waiting for a judge's decision, it’s clear that Nintendo is continuing to protect its brand aggressively. The company has a history of taking legal action against unauthorized content and hardware, so this move isn’t exactly surprising.

A Note from the Genki Team

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…
— GENKI (@GenkiThings) May 4, 2025