Nintendo’s main Switch cartridge manufacturer is leaving – that’s unlikely to affect Switch 2 games

Macronix, a key maker of cartridges for the original Nintendo Switch, is phasing out the ROM chips used in those games. The move reflects manufacturers’ preference for supplying data centres, where demand and prices are strong, and could affect the already shrinking market for physical Switch 1 releases.

Switch 2 games are unlikely to be affected because Macronix is not known to make that console’s cartridges. Teardowns point instead to Rohm and an unidentified supplier; Macronix reportedly explored entering the market but did not complete the necessary research and development. Nintendo says it has no plans to abandon physical games, though the impact on future third-party Switch 1 releases is uncertain.