Some new info regarding Switch 2 Game Card emerged from the latest quarterly financial results (Apr-Jun). Summary:
- Rohm (ローム) became the primary ROM supplier for NS2 GC
- Macronix (旺宏), primary ROM supplier for NS1 GC, didn’t ship any for NS2
- Macronix is preparing cards for “varying capacity needs”
From Apr-Jun, Rohm’s “Consumer” segment sales grew ¥4.1BN QoQ in Japan. It was due to significant demands for “amusement” products. This confirms what we saw from the NS2 Game Card teardown—Rohm (R20RG) is the ROM chip supplier. (Sources: Rohm, Rohm, and Spawn Wave)
In the same quarter, Macronix not only didn’t see a boost of ROM sales, but a decline of 2% QoQ and 4% YoY. UAnalyze reported that Macronix “expects” to supply ROM for Switch 2 in H2, but the timing “depends” on the client demand. (Sources: Macronix, Macronix, and UAnalyze)
UAnalyze’ report also includes a peculiar quote:
旺宏亦透露，其ROM產品主要用於任天堂Switch遊戲卡匣，未來將因應不同容量需求，分別採用自製MLC NAND與外購3D NAND生產卡匣。
Macronix disclosed that […] going forward, it will manufacture Game Cards using either in-house MLC NAND or procured 3D NAND, according to varying capacity needs.
This is odd for several reasons:
- Macronix produces 3D NAND themselves. Why buy it externally? Does their own 3D NAND not meet Nintendo’s cost or spec requirements?
- Is this why Rohm got the first batch of NS2 ROM business from Nintendo?
- MLC NAND might be used in smaller cards, and a high-density 3D NAND GC could be cheaper per GB. Is this the answer to the unpopular Game-Key Card?
- However, the report doesn’t specify whether both cards are intended for NS2. It’s possible that the MLC NAND GC is for NS1 only.
- Also unclear if “varying capacity” actually means multiple sizes for NS2, or simply refers to NS1 vs NS2.
- Lastly, we don’t know if this is truly an action plan or merely a backup option.
[Originally posted on 2025-08-04 Pacific Time]
