Macronix, the primary supplier of ROM chips for Nintendo Switch cartridges, is gradually phasing out its ROM production. The Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer's CEO and chairman, Miin Wu, announced the shift during the company's Q3 2026 financial results presentation. Wu stated that customer demand for NOR flash memory used in data centers is the main driver of Macronix's record profits, while ROM sales have seen a significant decline.
ROM chip sales constituted only five percent of Macronix's total sales in Q3 2026, a steep drop from 26 percent in Q2 2025. The company is reallocating capacity to NAND flash, a segment identified as crucial for long-term expansion. This move away from ROM production means no new ROM products will be developed, and Q3 2026 was the last quarter Macronix reported ROM sales separately.
While Macronix is not the sole manufacturer of Nintendo Switch ROM chips, and future Switch 2 cartridges are expected to use NAND flash memory from ROHM Semiconductor, the news raises concerns for collectors and physical media enthusiasts. The decline in ROM sales parallels the growing trend of digital game purchases. As of April to June 2026, digital Nintendo Switch sales accounted for 61.5 percent of the company's software sales, an increase from the previous year. This pivot by Macronix represents another challenge for the continued viability of physical game cartridges in the market.