The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 boasts several enhancements over its predecessor, yet one notable feature remains unchanged: the cartridges’ repulsive taste. In an effort to deter children and pets from mistakenly swallowing them, the cartridges are coated with a bittering agent that guarantees an unpleasant experience.

In an enlightening interview with GameSpot, Takuhiro Dohta from Nintendo confirmed the return of this distasteful coating. “We want to ensure nobody is at risk of any accidental consumption. We've designed it specifically so that if it accidentally makes its way into your mouth, you're likely to spit it out immediately,” he stated.

While potential taste testers can rest easy knowing that licking a Switch 2 cartridge won’t cause any damage aside from an awful taste, the original Switch cartridges, which were famously unpalatable, set a high bar for taste tests. Although there haven't been any official taste tests conducted on the new Switch 2 cartridges yet, Dohta’s assurances suggest they are similar in flavor profile. “I highly advise against licking it,” he added humorously.

Kouichi Kawamoto, another Nintendo associate, shared his own experience with the original cartridges. “During the development of the Nintendo Switch, I gave it a lick once, but I would never do that again. I’m baffled that others do,” he remarked.

The original Switch cartridges were coated with denatonium benzoate, a substance more commonly used by farmers to protect their crops from being eaten by animals. It remains uncertain if Nintendo has employed the same chemical for the Switch 2 cartridges.

In addition to their unsavory flavor, there is a notable twist regarding some Switch 2 cartridges. Certain titles come as Game-Key Cards, devoid of any gameplay data, but essential for gameplay nonetheless. This change has raised eyebrows among fans eager to dive into the newest gaming experience.

The Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, with a price tag of $450 for the standard system, and a $500 package that includes a copy of the highly praised "Mario Kart World." Nintendo has recently postponed preorders for the console, leading to speculation that the pricing might increase due to tariff impacts. Nevertheless, the company remains committed to the June launch date.

As the buzz around the Switch 2 rises, gamers are waiting eagerly to see how its features—and yes, that notorious cartridge taste—will shape their experiences. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the release!