Dispatch, the critically acclaimed adventure game from Ad Hoc Studio, is now available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2—but not without controversy. While the game’s core mechanics remain intact, Nintendo’s content restrictions have led to significant alterations, including censored dialogue, blurred visuals, and the removal of an unscripted scene involving a character’s exposed anatomy. Players and developers alike are questioning why such changes were necessary, especially when other games with more explicit content have found approval on the platform.
What’s missing? In one of the game’s most memorable moments, protagonist Robert Robertson III (voiced by Aaron Paul) assists Blonde Blazer with a dress that accidentally reveals her midriff. That scene has been entirely censored in the Switch versions. Beyond visual edits, even profanity has been bleeped out, with no option for players to disable these restrictions—a stark contrast to how the game appears on other platforms.
The developer’s official statement clarifies that different platforms enforce varying content standards, and Dispatch was adjusted to meet Nintendo’s guidelines. However, the core narrative and gameplay experience remain unchanged elsewhere, leaving many wondering why Nintendo’s version feels so heavily sanitized.
Performance gaps between Switch and Switch 2 While the censorship debate rages, the technical differences between the two versions are more straightforward. The original Switch version runs at a locked-in 720P resolution with 30 frames per second, a limitation common to many older Switch titles. In contrast, the Switch 2 version takes full advantage of the new hardware, delivering a smoother experience at 1440P resolution and 60 FPS—a noticeable upgrade for players with the latest console.
For those who own both systems, the free upgrade from Switch to Switch 2 is a welcome perk, though the visual and performance boost may not outweigh the frustration of Nintendo’s content decisions. Developers and players alike are left questioning whether the platform’s censorship policies are keeping up with the evolving standards of modern gaming.
Who should play it? Fans of narrative-driven adventures with sharp humor and unconventional storytelling will still find much to enjoy in Dispatch, though the Nintendo versions may feel tonally inconsistent compared to other releases. If uncensored content is a priority, other platforms offer the full experience. For Switch owners, the choice becomes a trade-off: a technically improved but heavily edited version, or skipping the Nintendo release entirely.
