Macronix to phase out ROM chip production for Nintendo Switch cartridges

Macronix, a major semiconductor supplier for Nintendo, has announced plans to gradually exit the ROM chip market. The company reported that ROM products now account for only 5% of its total revenue, a significant drop from 26% a year ago.

This shift is driven by the global demand for high-margin memory types, such as NOR and NAND flash, which are increasingly utilized in AI data centers. As Macronix redirects its capacity toward these sectors, the supply of ROM chips used in Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 game cartridges may tighten.

Industry analysts suggest this could lead to increased production costs for physical games or a shift toward “Game-Key Cards,” which require digital downloads rather than full on-cartridge storage. While Nintendo remains committed to physical media for the time being and utilizes other suppliers like Rohm and Lapis Semiconductor, the exit of a primary partner adds pressure to the supply chain.