Licking Nintendo Switch Cartridges Could Reveal If You're A 'Super-Taster' (But Don't Try It)

May 2, 2026 - 23:39

A bizarre trend has resurfaced among Nintendo Switch owners, one that involves putting the game cartridges directly into their mouths. The claim is that licking the edge of a Switch cartridge can reveal if you are a "super-taster," a person with a heightened sense of taste. The theory suggests that the bitter coating applied to the cartridges will taste overwhelmingly unpleasant to super-tasters, while others might barely notice it.

Nintendo has long applied a bitterant, denatonium benzoate, to the cartridges. This is a safety measure designed to prevent young children from swallowing the small cartridges. The substance is one of the most bitter compounds known to science. For some people, the flavor is so intense it causes an immediate gag reflex. For others, it is merely unpleasant or barely detectable.

The difference in perception is linked to genetics. Super-tasters have a higher density of taste buds and are more sensitive to bitter flavors. While the cartridge test is not a scientifically rigorous method, it does tap into a real biological variation. However, health experts strongly advise against trying it. The cartridges are not sterile, and licking them can transfer bacteria or other contaminants into your mouth. The bitter taste is also not worth the potential risk. So, while the internet might tempt you to find out if you are a super-taster, the safest answer is to keep your tongue away from your game collection.