Nintendo has officially announced that the game cartridges for its upcoming Switch 2 console will be just as unappetizing as those of the original Nintendo Switch. If you were thinking about giving your copy of Mario Kart a taste test, Nintendo strongly advises against it — and they’ve made sure you won’t enjoy it if you try.
Nintendo Confirms: Switch 2 Cartridges Will Taste Just as Awful — and That’s on Purpose
This unusual feature might raise some eyebrows. After all, who would willingly put a game cartridge in their mouth? But there’s a very practical reason behind this decision: safety. Nintendo coats its game cartridges with denatonium benzoate, a chemical known as one of the most bitter substances in the world. The goal is to prevent small children — or curious pets — from accidentally swallowing these small, brightly colored items.
“We don’t want to risk any accidental ingestion,” explained Takuhiro Dohta, development lead for the Switch 2, in an interview with GameSpot. “We designed the cartridges so that if they get in your mouth, you instinctively spit them out.”
Denatonium benzoate is not harmful to health, but it is extremely unpleasant to taste. It’s commonly used in products like nail polish to prevent nail-biting. And even small amounts are enough to trigger a strong reaction. The coating on the cartridges acts as a deterrent, particularly for younger children who might not yet understand the difference between a toy and a treat.
Producer Kouichi Kawamoto, who also worked on the original Switch, shared his own experience. “Yes, I licked the original cartridge once,” he admitted, visibly cringing. “But only once. Never again. I don’t understand why some people try it voluntarily.”
While it might seem like a strange feature to adults, this bitter-tasting layer is part of Nintendo’s broader commitment to safety and user-friendly design — even if it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, literally.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for release on June 5th. And along with upgraded hardware and exciting new titles, it will come with a familiar, foul-tasting safety feature. So remember: these games are meant to be played, not eaten.
