The Bitter Legacy of Nintendo Cartridges

In a world of gaming innovation, there's an unexpected challenge awaiting fans of the new Nintendo Switch 2: the taste of its cartridges. For those unfamiliar, Nintendo has long coated its cartridges with a bitter compound known as denatonium benzoate, a substance so foul-tasting that it’s used to deter both pets and children from ingesting harmful objects, much like antifreeze. While Nintendo's cartridges are safe from a poisoning standpoint, there's a genuine concern about choking, especially for younger gamers.

The Company’s Assurance

A Nintendo representative confirmed back in 2017 that this bitterant serves to “avoid the possibility of accidental ingestion.” As we gear up for the December release of the Nintendo Switch 2, many are left wondering if the new cartridges will have the same repulsive flavor. Nintendo's technical director, Takuhiro Dohta, hasn’t specifically reiterated the use of denatonium benzoate for the Switch 2, but he did imply that the taste is intentionally bad enough to make users spit it out if it ever made its way into their mouths.

Comments from Takuhiro Dohta

In a revealing interview with GameSpot, Dohta expressed his firm stance on the matter: “We don’t want anybody to be at risk of any unwanted consumption. We have indeed made it so that if it enters your mouth, you’ll spit it out.” While the idea of tasting the new cartridges may seem laughable, it's important to note that such a decision could lead to hilarious—and potentially dangerous—consequences.

Preview Event Anticipation

At a recent preview event for the Switch 2, Nintendo chose not to provide any taste tests, leaving many to speculate whether anyone has dared to lick the new cartridges yet. The anticipation builds as the official release date on June 5 approaches, along with the standard price point of $80 for each game. Although some enthusiasts may be tempted to know for themselves whether the Switch 2 cartridges remain unpalatably bitter, it’s clear that Dohta has no intention of indulging in that curiosity. “When the Nintendo Switch was being developed, I did lick it once, but never again. I can’t believe that other people are trying that,” he recounted.

The Taste Test Dilemma

As we await the Nintendo Switch 2, one question remains unanswered: will gamers be brave—or foolish—enough to conduct their own taste tests? One thing is for sure: Nintendo has mastered the art of taste aversion, ensuring its players might want to keep their cartridges out of their mouths—no matter how enticing the latest Mario Kart World may seem!