Nintendo Switch Cartridges Taste Really Bad: A Snacktaku Special Report

The Switch is almost upon us, and while there’s still a lot to discover about Nintendo’s latest console, one pressing question has been answered. “How do the cartridges taste?” So bad. Oh god, so bad.

[garyt.]

I like how Nintendo is trying to dissuade children from licking cartridges, and it's working, but the trade off is that now we have adults licking it instead.

[penguin]

The carts are laced with a slow acting poison, only the 1, 2 Switch cartridges are laced with the antidote...

[kareldgr]

200, 000 years of humanity and it has come to this.

[ProlificPianist]

That's a shame. Was excited to start eating something other than 3DS & Vita Cartridge sandwiches.

[jesuscrust]

Nintendo: * tries to discourage children from eating Switch cartridges *
YouTubers: "WHAT'S UP GUYS TODAY I'M GOING TO TEST TASTE THESE NINTENDO SWITCH CA-"

[Despairpressme]

its 4 am and im watching an old man tasting cartridges

[Jinsh]

RIP Mike. Thank you for the good times.

[chubchib]

so glad I've lived long enough for this video to exist

[AlmightyUniden]

The moment highlight reel gets its own channel, this one will go crashing to the ground overnight.

[mx]

Good! I was wondering what Nintendo switch cards would taste like! I can't believe it took so long for someone to make a video like this!

[iwannacry]

"Do not ingest the game cartridges. As an extra precaution, they've been coated with a very bitter chemical." (Everyone starts eating the cartridges.)

[lovesimple]

3:36

Oh My GOWD, ARGHHHH

(Taste again..)


Arggh MY GOWDD!!

OH OW

OH MY GOWD!!

[RamonGJ]

My strange addiction... licking video game cartridges.

[DerSystematiker]

RIP Mike and thanks for all the good stuff!

[MaliciousCat]

Yyeeaah... I spent $360 on my Switch and Zelda. I'm not gonna put a $60 game into my mouth. lol

[xenotone]

Damn it I'm going to have to try Zelda now aren't I

[Naixatloz]

I never thought to taste a video game until Nintendo decided to take measures against people tasting their games.

[aaronbirch]

It's likely plastic that has been coated in or integrated with some form of Denatonium (AKA "Bitrex"), likely Denatonium benzoate as it is a soluble powder. Denatonium is the most bitter compound known, and just a super small amount (just a few hundred micrograms) is unbearable for most people to taste. It's commonly used in a variety of other products as a bitterant, which is an aversive agent put into something meant to deter inappropriate ingestion; things like antifreeze, nail polish, nail polish remover, animal repellents, and liquid soaps and shampoos. It is also used to denature ethanol so that it's not treated as an alcoholic beverage. Denatonium usually leaves traces of itself behind, and if you are handling the compund directly it will stay on your hands for days making even eating without gloves impossible. Even after tons of handwashing. If you want to try it for yourself, find some 100% acetone nail polish remover around the house (CAREFULLY) pour a bit into a dish and dip just the tip of your finger into the dish. Let ALL of the acetone evaporate (wait 30-45 seconds), and then touch your finger to your tongue (no, you will not be poisoned). I shouldn't have to say this, but: I am NOT telling you to directly ingest acetone. Acetone evaporates very quickly, and will not leave any other chemical trace of itself behind after it does. The bitterness you taste is simply the Denatonium, and while it may taste bad, it will not kill you. DO NOT directly ingest acetone!

[blakegriplingph]

My only beef with this is that Nintendo should come up with even more flavours, like banana, grape and perhaps strawberry. Having a bitter-flavoured cartridge alone just doesn't cut it.

[ISAAC]

This turn out to be way more informational than it had the right to be. Damn it kotaku.