AdHoc Studio’s episodic adventure game, Dispatch, is censored on Switch and Switch 2 in order to meet Nintendo’s criteria.
In a statement shared with Eurogamer, AdHoc Studio confirmed that, in order to meet Nintendo’s content criteria, Dispatch has been mandatorily censored on Switch and Switch 2, removing explicit material and, as a result, player choice. For those unfamiliar with the game, it doesn’t shy away from adult content, featuring explicit depictions of human anatomy alongside suggestive audio cues. On PlayStation 5 and PC, players are given the option to toggle censorship on or off, allowing them to experience the story either fully uncensored or with sensitive content obscured. No such censorship option is not available on Nintendo’s consoles, however.
On Switch and Switch 2, explicit content censorship is enabled by default, with the toggle removed entirely. According to the developer, this decision was not arbitrary but the result of platform-specific requirements. “Different platforms have different content criteria, and submissions are evaluated individually,” Ad Hoc Studio explained.
The developer confirmed that it worked directly with Nintendo to ensure the game complied with those standards, while clarifying that the changes are limited in scope. “We worked with Nintendo to ensure the content within the title met the criteria to release on their platforms, but the core narrative and gameplay experience remains identical to the original release,” said the studio. In other words, while visual and audio elements have been adjusted, the story, character arcs, and gameplay systems remain untouched.
Dispatch ranked #5 in our Best of 2025 deliberations, earning its place by being a rare example of interactive television done right. Built by veterans of narrative-heavy studios, it blends sharp writing, heartfelt character arcs, and light but meaningful management mechanics into a tightly paced episodic experience. The story of Robert Robertson, a fallen superhero relegated to dispatch duty, uses humor and vulnerability to explore redemption and purpose without ever feeling cynical. Managing a roster of reformed villains is mechanically simple, but narratively rich, with character banter and workplace drama giving the office an authentic sense of life.
