The Nintendo Switch is nearly here – and it’s bringing back cartridge-based home gaming.

But if you were worried that a pet or family member might accidentally swallow one of your tiny new game cartridges, Nintendo are already one step ahead.

The games – which cost up to £60 and are roughly half the side of 3DS cartridges – have been coated in a ‘non-toxic’ solution to deter ‘accidental ingestion’.

Or, put more simply, they taste disgusting so that people won’t want to put them in their mouths.

Speaking to Kotaku, Nintendo confirmed: “To avoid the possibility of accidental ingestion, keep the game card away from young children.

“A bittering agent (Denatonium Benzoate) has also been applied to the game card. This bittering agent is non-toxic.”

Nintendo Switch - in pictures 14 show all Nintendo Switch - in pictures 1/14 Nintendo Switch The Japanese gaming giant have unveiled their forthcoming console Nintendo 2/14 At home The main Nintendo Switch console block Nintendo 3/14 Slide off The sides of the controller can be removed... Nintendo 4/14 Take away ...and put onto a tablet screen to play the Switch on the move Nintendo 5/14 Graphics update The portable nature of the Switch doesn't look like it'll hamper the console's tech capabilities Nintendo 6/14 On the move You'll be able to play Mario Kart in the car Nintendo 7/14 Be sociable You can play against other consoles wirelessly Nintendo 8/14 Side-on Each half of the controller can be turned around - meaning easy multiplayer Nintendo 9/14 For traditionalists The unit will support a more typical gaming controller Nintendo 10/14 Look who's back New Nintendo of course means more Super Mario Nintendo 11/14 Ditch the discs The Nintendo Switch looks set to be a cartridge-based games system Nintendo 12/14 Out and about The console hints at quality gaming on the go - and is that Skyrim?! Nintendo 13/14 Comfort The controllers can be used wirelessly while the tablet screen is propped up Nintendo 14/14 Travel companion Long flights are never going to be boring ever again Nintendo 1/14 Nintendo Switch The Japanese gaming giant have unveiled their forthcoming console Nintendo 2/14 At home The main Nintendo Switch console block Nintendo 3/14 Slide off The sides of the controller can be removed... Nintendo 4/14 Take away ...and put onto a tablet screen to play the Switch on the move Nintendo 5/14 Graphics update The portable nature of the Switch doesn't look like it'll hamper the console's tech capabilities Nintendo 6/14 On the move You'll be able to play Mario Kart in the car Nintendo 7/14 Be sociable You can play against other consoles wirelessly Nintendo 8/14 Side-on Each half of the controller can be turned around - meaning easy multiplayer Nintendo 9/14 For traditionalists The unit will support a more typical gaming controller Nintendo 10/14 Look who's back New Nintendo of course means more Super Mario Nintendo 11/14 Ditch the discs The Nintendo Switch looks set to be a cartridge-based games system Nintendo 12/14 Out and about The console hints at quality gaming on the go - and is that Skyrim?! Nintendo 13/14 Comfort The controllers can be used wirelessly while the tablet screen is propped up Nintendo 14/14 Travel companion Long flights are never going to be boring ever again Nintendo

It is currently unknown who first decided to lick a Nintendo Switch cartridge.

The new console presents a first for the gaming world – primarily a home-based gaming machine, the Switch features controllers that can attach to a tablet screen for on-the-go play.

The Switch arrives on March 3, with launch games including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and 1-2 Switch.