Nintendo Sues Genki Over Switch 2 Mockup, Settles With Strict Conditions

Small gaming accessory maker Genki made waves at CES 2025 when it showcased a 3D-printed mockup of the rumored Switch 2 to promote its new cases and Joy-Con grips. The stunt drew plenty of attention—but also Nintendo’s lawyers. In May, the company behind Mario sued Genki, accusing it of leveraging Nintendo’s trademarks and hype around leaks to market unlicensed accessories.

This week, the dispute officially ended with a confidential settlement, and the terms are strict.

Settlement Terms

According to a court order dated September 8, Genki is now permanently barred from using Nintendo-associated branding in its promotions:

“[Genki is permanently enjoined from] using the terms ‘Glitch,’ ‘Glitch 2,’ ‘Genki Direct,’ ‘Genki Indirect,’ or any other similar rebranding or approximation of Nintendo’s intellectual property, products, product names, characters, presentations, or marks… for any accessories compatible with or marketed for use with Nintendo’s products.”

In addition, Genki agreed to a confidential financial payment to Nintendo.

The CES Incident

The lawsuit stemmed from Genki’s CES antics in January. The company not only displayed a Switch 2 replica but also implied it had early access to genuine Nintendo hardware. With leaks swirling, Nintendo seemingly felt pressured and ended up teasing the console later that month, followed by the full Switch 2 reveal in April’s dedicated Direct.

Genki’s Response

When the lawsuit hit in May, Genki defended its work in a statement:

“Genki has always been an independent company focused on building innovative gaming accessories for the community we love. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we stand by the quality and originality of our products.”

Some of those Switch 2 accessories launched with minor issues but were later revised. Now, the packaging for its Attack Vector Swappable Grip Case includes a blunt disclaimer:

“Attack Vector is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Nintendo.”

Final Thoughts

Whether provoking Nintendo was worth the publicity remains unclear, given the settlement’s secrecy. But one thing is certain: Genki won’t be calling its livestreams “Directs” anymore, and Nintendo has once again reminded accessory makers that it guards its trademarks as fiercely as its iconic IP.