adminDispatch censorship on Nintendo Switch has prompted an explanation from developer AdHoc Studio and a discussion about whether some of the altered content can be addressed. The studio says it is working with Nintendo on a possible update, while explaining how the censored version came to be released and why its store-page notice was difficult for players to find.
Image credit: AdHoc Studio
Dispatch censorship on Switch: what changed?
Dispatch launched on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in late January 2026. Players noticed black bars and censored language in scenes involving nudity and explicit audio. Unlike the versions available on PlayStation 5 and Windows, where players can choose whether to enable censorship, the Switch version applies it by default and does not offer a setting to turn it off.
AdHoc said it adapted the game to meet Nintendo’s platform requirements. The studio also explained that content rules can vary between platforms and that submissions are assessed individually. According to the developer, the game’s central story and gameplay remain the same across releases.
Practical detail: Players considering a purchase should check the platform’s store listing and available content settings, since the Switch version does not provide the same censorship toggle as the PS5 and Windows releases.
AdHoc explains the store-page disclaimer
AdHoc co-founder, COO, and creative director Nick Herman said the studio initially expected Dispatch to be treated like other games with mature content already available on Nintendo platforms. During the porting process, however, it became clear that the uncensored version would not meet the platform’s guidelines.
The developer requested a store-page disclaimer to alert customers that the Switch release differed from other versions, and worked with Nintendo to approve the wording. AdHoc later acknowledged that it placed the notice in the store’s dedicated disclaimer field rather than in the more prominent game description. The studio said it did not recognize the placement problem until after launch, when players raised concerns that the changes had not been clearly disclosed.
What Nintendo said about content changes
Nintendo stated that games on its platform must receive ratings from independent organizations and comply with its content and platform guidelines. It said it informs publishing partners when a submission does not meet those requirements, but does not alter partner content itself. Nintendo did not discuss the specific criteria applied to Dispatch.
That distinction is relevant for players trying to understand how a censored release is produced: the developer is responsible for preparing a version that meets the platform’s requirements, while Nintendo sets and applies its platform guidelines.
Could a Dispatch update restore some content?
Herman said AdHoc is working with Nintendo on a way forward and is confident that an update may address at least some of the censored material. The studio apologized to players who expected the uncensored version on Switch and accepted responsibility for the unclear placement of the disclaimer. No specific update date or list of changes was provided.
There may also be differences between regional releases. Players on Reddit pointed out that the Japan-only PS5 version, released around the same time as the Switch ports, appears to include similar censorship. This has led to speculation that separate censored and uncensored builds exist, but it does not confirm which version will be available in each region.
Regional ratings can affect game content. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 received a Japan-specific CERO Z version for Switch 2 that omits nudity and reduces graphic violence, including decapitations. This example offers context, but it does not establish the precise reason for every change made to Dispatch.
What players should know about Dispatch censorship
For now, the Switch release remains censored, and there is no confirmed date for a potential update. Anyone choosing a version should compare the platform details and regional listing before buying. The Dispatch censorship situation may change if AdHoc and Nintendo approve a patch, but the studio has only said that it is exploring a path forward and that any update may address some of the content.
