Nintendo has resolved its legal battle with Genki, the accessory maker that jumped the gun with a premature Switch 2 mockup earlier this year. The two sides reached a settlement that ends the case and requires Genki’s parent company, Human Things, to pay damages.
Nintendo pushed back after the Switch 2 mockup surfaced early
At CES 2025, Genki displayed a fake version of Nintendo’s unannounced console. This 3D-printed Switch 2 mockup even carried Nintendo’s actual logo, which helped create confusion. Genki also promoted accessories labeled for the unreleased Switch 2, sparking further concern.
Nintendo responded by filing a lawsuit in May. It accused Genki of misleading marketing, unfair competition, and misuse of trademarks. The company said Genki either accessed the hardware illegally or simply guessed and advertised without confirmation.
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Nintendo tightens control over third-party branding
In the settlement, Genki admitted it never had access to official hardware. Still, Nintendo made its point. The terms of the deal include restrictions on how Genki can name and advertise its accessories going forward.
Key settlement conditions include:
- No use of names that closely resemble Nintendo IP
- Clear third-party disclaimers for future products
- Fair use of Nintendo branding only in verified contexts
The Switch 2 mockup wasn’t the real problem
The issue wasn’t just a dummy console. Nintendo took aim at the entire marketing effort, from names like “Genki Direct” to accessory claims that hadn’t been validated. Even if Genki meant no harm, the company crossed a legal line.
This settlement won’t stop accessory makers from building for Nintendo devices. But it sends a clear warning: mimic the brand too closely, and Nintendo will come knocking, real hardware or not.
