Macronix exits Nintendo’s ROM chip supply for AI data center chips
Macronix, a key supplier of ROM chips for Nintendo’s Switch and Switch 2 game cartridges, is reportedly phasing out its ROM business by the end of Q3. The company is redirecting its NT$37.8 billion in capital expenditure toward NOR and NAND flash chips for AI data centers, according to reports from MST Financial’s David Gibson and the Taipei Times.
Key points
- Nintendo’s ROM sales to Macronix fell to 5% in Q3 2024 from 26% in Q3 2023
- MegaChips relies on Macronix for 67.8% of outsourced ROM manufacturing, risking financial impact
The move could force Nintendo to increase cartridge prices, rely more on digital purchases via Game-Key cards, or seek alternative ROM suppliers like ROHM Semiconductor or LAPIS Semiconductor. MegaChips, a fabless chip design firm that outsourced ROM production to Macronix, faces potential financial strain, as Nintendo accounted for 87.8% of its 2022 sales, with Macronix handling 67.8% of its outsourced manufacturing. While physical cartridges may persist, analysts suggest Nintendo’s digital margins could grow as a result.
Nintendo ROM chip supplier Macronix quits to focus on chips for AI data centers, reports indicate
Tom's Hardware · 4 November 2026
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