Imagine paying full price for a game as an adult… only to have giant black rectangles plastered across half the screen!
If you still haven’t heard of Dispatch at this point, then, boy, there’s some catching up to be done—because this instant hit sold over 3 million views last year. People loved its combination of visual novel, choice-matter, and strategy gameplay, memorable characters, and the way AdHoc wasn’t afraid to take certain artistic decisions to explore some adult situations throughout the journey. That introduction of Toxic? The wet dream scene? The slipped areola? Those small moments brought sparks of joy for its players… but not for Nintendo fans.
The Dispatch released on Switch 1 and 2, but instantly drew a wave of criticism from customers who expected to get the full authentic experience, only to see fragments of cut-scenes completely covered up.
Why is the Dispatch censorship on Switch sparking controversy?
We can’t point to just one reason why this decision is stirring the pot, but we can identify at least three. Firstly, it was one of the best games of 2025; among other things, one of its highly praised features is its memorable and original art style. Because of how censorship was handled, a significant portion of the screen is covered with black rectangles, which ruins the immersion and artistic concept.
@theAdHocStudio Dispatch is heavily censored on the Switch in ways that significantly damage the experience. I would not have preordered this game on the switch if it was made explicitly clear these changes would exist. FFS even the artbooks are censored. pic.twitter.com/wpuuF3lpWX
— philthy (@phillygrk) January 28, 2026
Another reason this situation is raising eyebrows is that it’s a PEGI18 game, specifically targeting an adult audience. Because of the strict guidelines set by Nintendo, AdHoc had to alter the visual aspects, which did not sit well with the audience.
Speaking of the guidelines, we can’t help but point out the double standards. On one hand, the eStore has plenty of subpar, AI-generated titles as well as NSFW Switch games available for purchase with less restrictive censorship. At the same time, a highly acclaimed and popular title is forced to implement censorship.
Are there any Dispatch Switch discounts?
Considering the controversy, many of you might be reluctant to purchase this release at full price. Alas, there are no Dispatch discounts on Switch or Switch 2 at the moment. However, you can save a few dollars by stocking up on cheap eShop gift cards online. Alternatively, you can set up a price alert by pressing the bell button next to the price widget.
No deals available for Dispatch Nintendo Switch yet.
Create alert and get notified for new deals or add it to your wishlist.
No deals available for Dispatch Nintendo Switch 2 yet.
Create alert and get notified for new deals or add it to your wishlist.
What do you think of the decision to censor a game that had no issues on other platforms? Do you agree with users who say it’s unfair, or is it not a big deal for you? Let us know in the comments.
