Macronix, a major supplier of ROM chips used in game cartridges for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, is ending its production of those components. The Taiwanese company plans to redirect resources toward NOR flash and eMMC products as memory-market conditions change.
Macronix was not Nintendo’s only ROM-chip supplier. However, industry analyst David Gibson believes the end of the companies’ longstanding partnership could make it more expensive for Nintendo to source chips for its cartridges, potentially putting upward pressure on the price of physical games.
Gibson also suggested that tighter and costlier ROM-chip supply could encourage more publishers to use Game Key Cards on Switch 2, rather than conventional game cartridges. The available information does not confirm whether physical game prices will rise.
Macronix is phasing out its ROM business, with no new ROM products planned. The company will report ROM sales separately for the final time in the third quarter, according to Gibson.
Sources: Everyeye.it.