Nintendo Switch cartridges taste disgusting but that's not stopping anybody

Not for eating. Obviously.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There's plenty of intrigue and excitement when it comes to the imminent launch of the Nintendo Switch. But please, don't put the cartridges in your mouth.

According to reports, the game cartridges themselves taste goddamn awful. While the question of why people started putting them in their mouths to begin with remains, it turns out Nintendo's made them taste bad intentionally.

It's to dissuade children from trying to eat them. Makes sense considering the cartridges are pretty small, and well, children eat everything in their sight.

But that hasn't stopped reporters from having a little taste.

"Oh my god. It really tastes, oh geez. It's not good at all," a horrified Mike Fahey from Kotaku said in a video. "It's spreading. It was on my tongue, now it's spreading to the back of my mouth."

In a statement provided to The Verge, Nintendo said a non-toxic bittering agent called Denatonium Benzoate has been added to the card in order to prevent young children from ingesting it.

In fact, it's the bitterest substance known to science. It was accidentally discovered in 1958 by Scottish pharmaceutical manufacturer T & H Smith (now Macfarlan Smith,) according to Chemistry World. Only an incredibly small amount of the substance is enough to be distasteful to humans.

But hey. You can't stop humans from eating things that are not meant to be eaten.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
I love this Nintendo Switch 2 case — get it for its lowest-ever price on Amazon
The tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 in gray on a blue and purple background

Where to pre-order 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder' for the Nintendo Switch 2
super mario bros. wonder nintendo switch 2 edition + meetup in bellabel park cover against a pink and purple patterned background

Everything announced at the February 2026 Nintendo Direct
Player character and dog in Fallout 4

The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade for 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder' has a little bit for everyone
Super Mario Bros Wonder Bellabel Park screenshot

I got to play the new Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy. It has the same problem it did in 1995.
Nintendo Switch Virtual Boy peripheral in front of display background

More in Entertainment
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 2, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!