Summary

  • The previously-removed Pokemon mod for Palworld is available once again, featuring "legally distinct" versions of iconic Pokemon such as Pikachu and Torterra.
  • The mod creators have found creative ways to avoid legal issues, giving the creatures appearances inspired by their animal origins, such as the realistic "Yellow Rat" in place of Pikachu.
  • Despite controversy and accusations, Palworld continues to soar in popularity, with over 7 million copies sold in less than a week and consistently high player counts on Steam.

The previously removed Pokemon mod for Palworld is available once again, though its creators have taken some comedic liberties to skirt around issues regarding its legality. Since its launch earlier this month, the new game from developer Pocket Pair has achieved overwhelming success and has taken the internet by storm for its unique take on the monster-catching genre. Combining the Pokemon-like Pals with survival gameplay similar to games like Minecraft and Rust, Palworld has already seen millions of players across both its PC and Xbox versions. Now, a popular mod for the game is back with a twist.

Given the similarity of many of Palworld's creatures to Pokemon, it was only a matter of time before a fan created a Pokemon mod for the game. YouTuber ToastedShoes would first debut the Palworld mod, bringing Pokemon like Torchic and Pikachu into the open-world survival game. Nintendo would also be quick to act in response to the Palworld mod, quickly issuing a DMCA takedown against the video with ToastedShoes stating that he would wait to release the mod, intending to "tread lightly." However, now, just a week later, the Pokemon mod is back with a new look.

Ash Ketchum from Pokemon Anime looking angrily at Anubis from Palworld
First Palworld Pokemon Mod Taken Down by Nintendo

Nintendo wastes no time in cracking down on the first mod that brought Pokemon to Palworld within days of the survival game's release.

By 

A new video shared by ToastedShoes shows off the new version of a "legally distinct" Pokemon mod for Palworld, giving the creatures appearances inspired by their animal origins. Replacing Pikachu within the mod is a realistic rat with its fur tinted yellow, given the on-the-nose name of "Yellow Rat" within the mod. The video also shows off more humorous Pokemon knock-offs including "Vegetative Turtle" as the mod's version of Torterra, "Braided Sheep" replacing Wooloo, and "Potted Onion" in place of Oddish. The mod is available for download through NexusMods.

Palworld's Pokemon Mod is Back with a Twist

While ToastedShoes will hope the changes help the mod to avoid further legal action from The Pokemon Company, Palworld has already seen its fair share of accusations. Developer Pocket Pair has seen repeated allegations of using AI in the development of Palworld, though the claims have so far been unproven. Many have also accused Palworld of plagiarism for similarities to Pokemon within its Pal designs, with The Pokemon Company reportedly investigating Palworld.

A screenshot from monster-catching survival game Palworld, showing a player character riding Pal Grizzbolt holding a gun.

Though Palworld has seen significant controversy following its launch, none of the allegations have slowed down the game's meteoric rise. Palworld would report more than 7 million copies of the game had been sold on Steam within less than a week of its launch. The game has also boasted consistently massive concurrent player counts on Steam, with Palworld surpassing 2 million users playing the game's PC version. With Pocket Pair teasing more content and the game's widespread popularity, Palworld looks poised to continue its early momentum well into the future.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Palworld Tag Page Cover Art

Palworld
Display card tags widget
Open-World
Shooter
Survival
Display card system widget
Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 58%
Display card main info widget
Released
January 19, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Violence
Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
Publisher(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
Xbox Series X|S, pc
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.
Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices...even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.
Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.
Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!

Number of Players
1-4 (Co-Op); 32 Players Server Limit
Genre(s)
Open-World, Shooter, Survival