Nintendo comes under fire for censorship of Dispatch artbook offered with Switch game

With games banned from Steam and other marketplaces, censorship has become a contentious issue. Nintendo isn’t immune to the controversy, as the Dispatch launch is raising red flags. The lighthearted episodic adventure will release on the Switch and Switch 2 on January 28, 2026. However, gamers spotted some strange alterations made to the optional digital Art and Comics pack.

The banner for the eShop DLC involves the cast enjoying some poolside fun in the sun. Yet the Nintendo version shows the superheroes less scantily clad. Flambae, aka Chad, is no longer wearing unzipped shorts. Several of the swimsuits for the female characters, including Malevola, now show less skin. The artwork has obvious differences from the image on Steam or PlayStation Store.

Raising more eyebrows, the censorship appears only on the Nintendo of America site. In a popular thread on the game’s subreddit, fans reported that graphics remained unchanged in Australia and various European countries. Dispatch wouldn’t be the first time a Switch game that features adult content has faced resistance in certain regions.

In November, the publisher of Brave x Junction announced that its North American and European release was delayed. Nintendo flagged the fantasy RPG for sexually suggestive depiction of minors despite Rideon's insistence that the characters were adults. The title was also already available on the Japanese eShop and other platforms.

Fortunately, Nintendo Everything reports that the Switch game will be available in these other territories on December 22nd. Still, similar to the Dispatch artbook changes, the publisher had to agree to modify some of the revealing costumes.

Why do Nintendo standards differ by region?

Nintendo of America may be seeking to maintain a more family-friendly image. It’s also possible that AdHoc Studio submitted the revised digital art without the company’s insistence. Nevertheless, many gamers question why the censorship is appropriate for Dispatch.

With a Mature ESRB rating, players will quickly encounter nudity and foul language, though settings can tone down the graphic content. The wholesome pool scene on the eShop may give parents the wrong impression about the game. Then again, the marketplace remains plagued by other suggestive images, despite Nintendo's efforts to filter out these titles.