AdHoc Studio’s Dispatch has been censored on Nintendo Switch consoles.
Following the game’s launch on Switch and Switch 2 earlier this week, players were met with black bars and censored language during scenes depicting nudity and explicit audio.
On other platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Windows, there is an option to toggle censorship of this content. However, on the Switch port, censorship is on by default and cannot be turned off.
In a statement shared with our sister site Eurogamer, the developer clarified it had “worked with Nintendo to ensure content within the title met the criteria to release on its platform.”
“Different platforms have different content criteria, and submissions are evaluated individually,” it said. “The core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release.”
Nintendo also commented on the matter (via GoNintendo), clarifying that it “does not make changes to partner content.”
“Nintendo requires all games on its platform to receive ratings from independent organisations and to meet our established content and platform guidelines,” the publisher said.
“While we inform partners when their titles don’t meet our guidelines, Nintendo does not make changes to partner content. We also do not discuss specific content or the criteria used in making these determinations.”
Users on Reddit highlighted that the Japan-only PS5 version of Dispatch, released on the same day as the Switch ports, also has the same censorship.
This suggests there are two versions of the game – a censored and non-censored version – with the latter not being available on Switch consoles.
GamesIndustry.biz has contacted AdHoc to confirm whether this is the case.
VGC noted that AdHoc’s decision to port a censored version to Switch may be the result of adhering to ratings boards, such as Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation (CERO).
For example, CD Projekt Red released two versions of its Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 port. The version of the game available in Japan is CERO Z-rated with no nudity and excessive gore, including decapitations.
