Overview
- The JPO rejected Japanese application no. 2024-031879 on October 22, 2025 after a third-party prior‑art submission, giving Nintendo 60 days to amend or appeal.
- Examiners cited older titles including ARK: Survival Evolved, Monster Hunter 4, Craftopia, Kantai Collection, and Pokémon GO as evidence the claimed mechanic was not original.
- The refused filing sits within the same patent family as multiple patents asserted against Pocketpair in Tokyo, functioning as a sibling to one and a parent to another.
- The Tokyo District Court case continues and is not bound by the JPO decision, though judges often weigh patent‑examiner findings when assessing originality.
- The setback in Japan contrasts with Nintendo’s related U.S. patent granted in September 2025 covering a character‑summoning battle mechanic.