Nintendo has confirmed that the unpleasant taste of its cartridges, which was initially introduced with the first Nintendo Switch to prevent children and animals from accidentally ingesting them, will return in the new console, Nintendo Switch 2. Takuhiro Dohta, the company’s representative, stated in an interview with GameSpot that this design aims to deter young children by causing them to spit out the cartridge upon experiencing the intense flavor. “We don’t want anyone to run the risk of accidentally consuming something,” Dohta said.
Cartridges that were already bad on the original console
The substance used to impart this unpleasant taste is denatonium benzoate, known for its effectiveness in discouraging animals from consuming crops. In fact, this compound is used in various applications to prevent accidental ingestion. Although the bad taste only lasts a few seconds on the tongue, Dohta and his Nintendo partner, Kouichi Kawamoto, advise players not to try licking the cartridges out of curiosity. “When we were developing the Nintendo Switch, I licked it once, but never again. I can’t believe other people are trying it,” Kawamoto said.
Fans will have the opportunity to confirm whether the same substance has been used in the Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges on June 5, when the company plans to reveal additional details about the new console. Meanwhile, video game enthusiasts are wondering what other innovative surprises Nintendo will bring, in addition to this curiosity about the safety in the design of its products.
Without a doubt, the return of the bad taste in cartridges is a measure that shows Nintendo’s commitment to the safety of its younger consumers and the prevention of unwanted accidents related to the accidental ingestion of its products.