Dispatch’s Switch Censorship Is Awfully Silly

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Although Nintendo is generally known for family-friendly content, the eShop on the Switch actually features a surprising number of adult games. A search for “hentai” currently returns over 300 results, and “sex” yields more than 120. While this would have been unusual in previous Nintendo consoles, the Switch and its newer model allow players to view full nudity. However, the game Dispatch is different – on Switch, players are forced to play a censored version, even though the PlayStation 5 and PC versions offered an option to disable these restrictions. This feels out of place, especially considering the mature themes and humor of the game, and the more open approach taken by other titles on the platform.

The game Dispatch covers all nudity with large black bars, from explicit scenes to brief accidental exposures. Surprisingly, these bars also appear when characters make obscene gestures, and even the intense sex scene in episode four is largely muted. It’s odd that a game featuring graphic violence and strong language would censor gestures and nipples. For instance, players can witness brutal murders and hear profanity-filled monologues without censorship, yet a simple hand signal or exposed nipple is blocked. It doesn’t make sense that you can say a curse word but not convey the same message with a gesture.

Dispatch‘s Censorship on the Switch Should Just Be an Option

Dispatch is designed for mature audiences and rated accordingly. However, oddly censoring the very elements that give it that maturity highlights the game’s nature, and the heavy-handed, inconsistent way it’s done is noticeable. While the game doesn’t focus on sex, it uses it as a part of the story or for comedic effect – similar to many movies and TV shows. Presenting it so awkwardly is disruptive and ultimately makes this a weaker version of the game, even if it means sacrificing accessibility.

To offer players a diverse selection of games – as Nintendo ideally should – requiring or even allowing this kind of editing seems counterproductive. It’s also unclear exactly what happened, as both Nintendo and AdHoc Studio are being unclear about the details. AdHoc Studio explained to Eurogamer that each platform has unique content requirements and that all submissions are reviewed individually. They also stated they collaborated with Nintendo to ensure their game met those requirements, while assuring players the story and gameplay remain the same as the original version.

Nintendo unexpectedly released a statement that appeared to disagree with AdHoc’s previous comments.

Nintendo asks that all games played on its systems be rated by unbiased groups and follow our content rules. We let our partners know if a game doesn’t meet those rules, but we don’t alter the game content ourselves. We also don’t share details about specific content or how we make these decisions.

A few days later, AdHoc issued another statement clarifying the situation. They explained they had been quiet recently to ensure they maintained a good relationship with Nintendo.

Nintendo has specific content rules for games released on its systems. Our game originally didn’t follow those rules, so we made some adjustments to get it approved for release. That’s why we had to make changes. It might seem clear, especially since we previously released an uncensored version of the game on other platforms.

AdHoc believed that since games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 were available on the Nintendo eShop with mature content, their game Dispatch would also be allowed without censorship, including its explicit imagery. However, that wasn’t the case. They requested a disclaimer to inform players about the censorship, but it ended up hidden in a hard-to-find section of the eShop listing. AdHoc has acknowledged the mistake and understands players’ frustration. They are currently working with Nintendo to find a solution and hope to release an update that restores some of the originally intended content, though they can’t guarantee specific changes just yet.

The eShop Contains Far More Damning Games

Honestly, it’s still weird to me why Dispatch on the Switch is so much tamer than on PC and PS5. The developers just kinda brushed off the reason, saying it became clear when they were porting the game. But VGC thinks it’s because it’s way easier to release just one version that works everywhere – even in countries with stricter rules. That way, they don’t have to worry about making separate updates for different regions. We’ve seen this before with Cyberpunk 2077; it’s censored in Japan, so the eShop version there is a bit more toned down.

Even though the game is still enjoyable with its funny writing and lovely visuals, this Switch version of Dispatch feels a little disappointing. Scenes are sometimes awkwardly interrupted with large black bars or changed in other obvious ways, which detracts from the experience. It’s odd, especially considering other mature games on the Switch, like Cyberpunk 2077, allow for more explicit content without issue. Nintendo has generally been more accepting of mature themes elsewhere, making these changes feel like a step backward. Dispatch itself includes a humorous scene involving nudity early on, and players should be able to see it as intended – along with all other content – without censorship.

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2026-01-31 22:43