Dispatch artbook censorship sparks backlash on Nintendo eShop

Memet Deniz Yucekaya

December 21, 2025

The Dispatch artbook is causing waves online after fans noticed that Nintendo’s version differs from other platforms. With the game’s launch set for early 2026, players aren’t upset about gameplay but about how its downloadable artwork has quietly changed.

Dispatch artbook appears altered in North American listing

On the Nintendo of America eShop, the digital Art and Comics pack for Dispatch shows a toned-down version of a sunny poolside illustration. Characters like Flambae no longer wear unzipped shorts, and Malevola’s swimsuit now offers more coverage. The edited image contrasts noticeably with the unaltered artwork shown on Steam and PlayStation Store.

Interestingly, this censorship doesn’t seem to be global. Fans on Reddit pointed out that the Dispatch artbook remains unchanged in Australia and Europe. That regional inconsistency has only added to the confusion.

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Dispatch artbook changes don’t match the game’s content

The move seems especially odd considering Dispatch holds a Mature ESRB rating. The full game includes nudity, profanity, and adult humor. While optional settings can reduce explicit material, the core content stays intact.

This has led many to ask: why alter a playful bonus image if the main game pushes far more boundaries?

Nintendo’s regional policies face renewed scrutiny

Nintendo of America may be playing it safe, preferring to market around a cleaner brand image. However, it’s not clear whether the Dispatch artbook was changed by request or simply delivered that way by AdHoc Studio. Either way, it highlights a familiar double standard.

Notably, this isn’t the first time Nintendo’s regional offices have raised eyebrows. Just last month, the publisher of Brave x Junction delayed its Western release following objections about “suggestive depictions,” despite the game already being live in Japan. That title, too, was forced to alter several outfits before receiving approval.

What else is affected beyond the Dispatch artbook?

While Nintendo has made efforts to filter adult content from its storefront, many suggestive titles still make it through. The inconsistency has only fueled fan frustration.

Players point out that while a group pool photo was censored in the Dispatch artbook, the eShop still hosts other games featuring sexualized marketing often with less oversight.

Here’s what makes the situation murkier:

• The base game remains uncut
• The changes apply only to North America
• Other regions kept the original artwork
• Nintendo hasn’t made an official statement

Sanitized art, uncensored game

The Dispatch artbook controversy isn’t just about a swimsuit edit, it’s about messaging. Nintendo’s quiet changes suggest a mismatch between public image and actual content. For some players, that disconnect is harder to overlook than a few pixels of skin.