Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Nintendo supplier Macronix plans to phase out ROM chip production
Macronix is phasing out ROM chip production, moving toward memory chips used in data centers.
The Taiwan-based company is a major supplier of ROM chips for Nintendo Switch cartridges, though other manufacturers also make them.
Macronix said ROM products made up 5% of its business in Q3 2026, down from 26% in Q2 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges use NAND flash memory from a different supplier, so they are not expected to be affected by this change.
The shift could make it harder for Nintendo and game publishers to source some physical cartridges and may add pressure to use Game-Key Cards or raise cartridge prices.
Nintendo has said it does not plan to abandon physical games, and there is no immediate shortage reported.
Macronix is redirecting production toward data-center memory and other flash chips, while Nintendo's digital software sales continue to grow.
Macronix plans to stop making ROM chips, a key component in Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 game cartridges.
The company said ROM products made up 5% of its business in Q3 2026.
Macronix is shifting its focus to flash and memory chips, according to reports on its latest financial release.
The move could put pressure on Nintendo and game publishers to use more Game-Key Cards or charge more for cartridges with full games.
Nintendo has said it does not plan to abandon physical games yet.
- Who
- Macronix, a major ROM supplier for Nintendo game cartridges.
- What
- It plans to end ROM manufacturing and focus on flash and memory chips.
- When
- The plan was reported on November 4, 2026. Macronix said Q3 was the last quarter it would report ROM sales separately.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- ROM products accounted for a small share of Macronix’s business, while flash and memory chips were described as more lucrative.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
ROM products accounted for 5% of Macronix’s overall revenue, according to Nintendo Life.
Reports relayed Macronix’s plan to stop making ROM chips.
- Company
- Macronix
- ROM share
- 5% of business in Q3 2026
- Switch models
- Switch 1 and Switch 2
- Planned change
- End ROM production and shift focus to flash and memory chips
- Sales reporting
- Q3 was the last quarter Macronix would report ROM sales separately
3 sources
What people are saying
Macronix, which makes the ROM chips in Switch 1 and Switch 2 game memory cards, is phasing out that business. There will be no new ROM products, and Q3 is the last quarter it reports ROM sales separately.
Posts on X
1/4 Nintendo's main memory chip maker is quitting the Switch business Macronix, which makes the ROM chips in Switch 1 and Switch 2 game memory cards, is phasing out that business. There will be no new ROM products, and Q3 is the last quarter it reports ROM sales separately.