Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridges Still Taste Awful — “I Can’t Believe People Try It”

Everyone who’s ever spent time around kids knows one thing: they’ll put just about anything in their mouths. That’s a major safety concern — and Nintendo is well aware. With the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the company is bringing back one of its most unusual (and oddly iconic) safety features: terrible-tasting game cartridges.

Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridges Still Taste Disgusting

Just like with the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 game cartridges are coated with a bitter, awful-tasting substance. The idea? To prevent children — or curious pets — from swallowing them by accident.

And yes, some adults have also decided to taste them. For science… or something.

Nintendo developer Takuhiro Dohta recently confirmed that this safety feature will remain in the new console generation. He emphasized the importance of minimizing any risk of accidental ingestion:

“We don’t want anyone to be at risk of unintended consumption. The cartridges are designed so that, if someone puts one in their mouth, they’ll immediately spit it out.”

What Makes the Cartridges Taste So Bad?

In the original Switch, the cartridges were coated with denatonium benzoate, a non-toxic chemical considered the most bitter substance known to science. It’s often used in farming to keep animals from eating crops — and it’s perfectly safe for humans, just… revolting.

It’s not confirmed whether the Switch 2 cartridges use the exact same compound, but given the similar results, fans are assuming it’s either the same or something very close.

Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto admitted he tested the coating during development back in 2017 — once:

“When we were developing the Nintendo Switch, I tried one. Just once. I still can’t believe other people choose to lick them.”

Same Shape, Same Taste — But Not All Cartridges Contain Games

Another interesting detail: Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges will have the same shape as the original ones, so they’ll be visually and physically familiar — and yes, they’ll taste just as bad.

However, not every cartridge will include an actual game.

Nintendo has introduced a new format called “key cards”. These cartridges don’t store full game data, but instead unlock digital downloads. Thankfully, Nintendo confirmed that these cards will not be tied to specific user accounts, so they’ll work like physical keys without DRM complications.

Final Thoughts: Why Do People Still Lick These Things?

Nintendo’s bitter cartridges have become a quirky part of gaming culture. While the logic behind their design is entirely safety-driven, that hasn’t stopped YouTubers and gamers from testing them out for laughs.

Still, it’s safe to say that Nintendo would rather you didn’t.