Nintendo Switch cartridges 'taste so bad'
Cartridges for the Nintendo Switch console taste foul because of a “bittering agent” intended to prevent them from being accidentally swallowed.
The discovery was made after gamers noticed the repellent flavour.
“I can still taste it. Do not try this at home,” tweeted games writer Jeff Gerstmann last week.
However, other gamers have since posted videos online of their reactions to tasting the cartridges and Nintendo has confirmed the use of a chemical agent.
Cartridges for the Nintendo Switch, which is released worldwide on 3 March, are 34mm by 23mm (1in).
Nintendo revealed a non-toxic bittering agent, denatonium benzoate, had been applied to the game card, in a statement to video games site Polygon.
This was “to avoid the possibility of accidental ingestion”, the statement added.
Denatonium benzoate has an especially bitter taste and is commonly added to products such as paint to deter people from consuming them.
However, news that the cartridges are intended to taste disgusting has not discouraged some from licking them.
“Oh, it’s so… God… it’s so awful,” said one YouTuber.
Readers are advised not to try tasting Nintendo Switch cartridges at home.