The controversy was about a promotional banner for Dispatch’s digital Art and Comics Pack, not proof that Nintendo edited the artbook itself. Later, the Switch and Switch 2 game did launch with mandatory visual coverage, but a free June 2026 update added settings that now vary by region.
What changed in the Dispatch artbook promotion?
On December 23, 2025, Nintendo Life reported that the banner for the digital “Dispatch Art and Comics Pack” on the US Nintendo storefront showed less skin than artwork on other Nintendo regional listings and other digital marketplaces. The comparison concerned the pack’s promotional image. It did not establish that the digital artbook or comics inside had been altered.
The banner report also came before Dispatch’s Switch release, so it could not show how the finished game would behave. At the time, Nintendo Life listed local decisions, store regulations, classification, or an error as possible explanations for the image difference—not confirmed causes.
Was Dispatch censored on Switch and Switch 2?
Yes, the launch versions had mandatory visual coverage and no setting to remove it, according to Nintendo Life’s January 30, 2026 report. The game had launched on Switch and Switch 2 on January 28.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →AdHoc Studio later explained that it had expected some regional censorship but was surprised to learn that coverage would be required across regions. The studio said limited time and resources led it to use one Switch build that met the strictest regional requirements. As AdHoc put it, “This led us to deliver a more censored version of Dispatch than Switch players were expecting.”
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Nintendo’s statement, quoted in the same report, was general rather than an account of this particular artwork or build: it said games on its platforms must receive independent ratings and meet established content and platform guidelines, and that Nintendo informs partners when a title does not meet them. Nintendo also said, “Nintendo does not make changes to partner content.” It did not specify the criteria or identify who changed the promotional banner.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What coverage settings are available now?
A free “HR Violations Pack” update released for Switch and Switch 2 on June 17, 2026, adding partial coverage and alternate styles, Nintendo Life reported. AdHoc’s current update page says which Nintendo settings are available depends on region:
| Switch and Switch 2 store region | Coverage settings listed by AdHoc |
|---|---|
| North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand | Partial or full coverage |
| Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Southeast Asia | Full coverage only |
AdHoc says genitals and explicit audio remain covered on the Nintendo versions. So “uncensored” is not an accurate description of the updated Switch and Switch 2 releases: some regions offer a partial-coverage choice, while others do not, and some content remains covered in both cases. Check the current Nintendo store listing and game version for your region, since availability can change.
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How to read the controversy
- Promotional art: The original comparison was about a US storefront banner for a digital art-and-comics add-on, not verified edits to the pack’s contents.
- Launch game: Switch and Switch 2 launched with visual coverage and without a toggle.
- Updated game: The free update added choices, but the options differ by region and do not remove all coverage on Nintendo systems.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
