Dispatch is out on Switch 1 and 2 as of January 28, but not without some compromises. The original release had the option to censor certain explicit content from the settings menu, but the version on Nintendo platforms will censor content by default with no option to remove it. That seemingly includes brief scenes that show supervillain Toxic’s full appendage.
“Different platforms have different content criteria, and submissions are evaluated individually,” developer AdHoc said in a statement to Eurogamer prior to release. “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,” the statement continued.
Dispatch is a four-episode interactive game about reformed villains navigating their emotional baggage and personal hang-ups in a superhero call center. The workplace comedy by ex-Telltale developers also includes some adult moments, like the aforementioned Toxic dong as well as romantic scenes and explicit hand gestures. In fact, some fans have spent the last few months wishing the game was much raunchier.
At one point a character’s areola is exposed as she’s fitting into her new costume. It’s a lighthearted throwaway gag poking fun at the genre’s silly wardrobes, and I’m guessing that moment isn’t in the Switch version either. According to NintendoLife, a late-game sex scene has been nerfed altogether. The game’s profanity made it through, however, so you can still hear the characters swear if you want.
It’s unclear what exactly Nintendo’s rules are for this kind of stuff. The Dispatch changes are especially weird because the Switch eShop is not otherwise shy about suggestive content. Anime sex game shovelware remains impossible to escape. Maybe some games rated ESRB 17+ are just built different.