Palworld Modders Restore Lost Mechanics Due to Pocketpair’s Legal Battle With Nintendo

A couple of Palworld modders are restoring game mechanics that were removed due to the ongoing legal battle between Pocketpair and Nintendo. As of writing, two major mechanics have been restored by mods: Pal Gliding and Pal Summoning.

Last week, Palworld confirmed that they have removed certain mechanics in the game due to the ongoing legal battle they’re having with Nintendo. “Unfortunately, as the alternative would have led to an even greater deterioration of the gameplay experience for players, it was determined that this change was necessary,” their X post read.

The changes the team was talking about are about Pal Gliding and Pal Summoning. On Nov. 30, 2024, Pocketpair released patch v0.3.11 for Palworld, which removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres. Then, accompanying the X post, the team released patch v0.5.5, which removed the ability to glide using Pals.

Now, modders have taken it into their own hands to restore these lost mechanics. A mod called “Glider Restoration” does exactly that. It restores the lost gliding animations of Palworld. The description even takes a jab at the recent patch that removed the mechanic. “Palworld Patch 0.5.5? What? That didn’t happen!”

The mod “Alternative Pal Summon” tries its best to replicate the Pal Summoning that was removed in November 2024. However, it falls short as it doesn’t involve the animation of throwing a Pal Sphere. Instead, it just summons it to where the player is looking.

The legal battle between Pocketpair and Nintendo started when the latter posted a press release on their website talking about how Palworld “infringes multiple patent rights.” Since then, Nintendo has filed different patents to strengthen its case against Pocketpair.