Dispatch is censored on Nintendo Switch and we’re not happy about it

The episodic superhero comedy game Dispatch made waves when it launched on PS5 and Steam last year, and that’s in no small part thanks to its adult humour and spicier scenes. With its release on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 29, however, players have been finding some stark censorship differences on Nintendo’s handheld hybrids.

The PS5 and Steam releases offer a ‘Visual Censorship’ toggle, allowing players to decide whether to see any middle fingers or the occasional superhuman anatomy. 

In the Nintendo Switch versions, this choice has automatically been made for players, as the censored version of Dispatch is presented as the complete package.

While this version still brings you every scene in the game’s eight episodes, any spicier visuals are covered by a black censor bar by default. Nintendo Life describes how one particular steamy scene in episode four now takes place in silence, regardless of whether profanity has been enabled.

That said, the ‘Profanity Censorship’ toggle remains in place, allowing players to still hear swearing throughout the story if they so choose.

In a statement to Eurogamer, developer AdHoc studio outlined its position.

“We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms,” began the statement, “but the core narrative and gameplay experience remain identical to the original release.”

Double standards

While the option for censorship in itself is not an issue, it’s having this decision made for us that raises some serious concerns. Scenes of Sonar grabbing a Twinkie or heart-to-hearts with the Z-Team may remain untouched, but can we really say that the Switch version of Dispatch is the full experience?

Developers’ AdHoc studio offers the Visual Censorship toggle not only to allow players to experience the story in a way suited to them, but to allow the game to be played in the way they originally intended. 

For a game that has been highly praised for its grounded nature, the emotional maturity with which the superhero workplace comedy approaches adult themes is completely disregarded when the developer’s original vision is covered by an obnoxious black bar.

In contrast, games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher remain relatively untouched on Nintendo consoles. The detailed and intimate character customization system of Cyberpunk 2077 remains the same on Nintendo Switch. 

When there appears to be no issue showing the anatomy of these characters on Switch in its western release, something just as heavily stylised like Dispatch apparently didn’t make the cut.

If the Visual Censorship toggle was going to be removed regardless, then what is that 18+ rating really for?