64GB cartridges may be the next thing for Nintendo Switch

If you have followed some Nintendo news back in 2018, you probably heard that they were trying to develop a brand new cartridge technology to maximize their use of the devices up to 64GB. Although rumors suggested that Nintendo has successfully created new cartridges for Nintendo Switch during that period, they were delayed due to technical issues. But Taiwan-based manufacturers, Macronix, has apparently come up with a solution.

Macronix’s new memory devices might finally become the breakthrough that Nintendo was looking for in Switch gaming

Macronix is one of the biggest memory-centered device manufacturers on the market right now. And they specialize in building further technologies for purpose-based memory solutions. Plus, they work closely with Nintendo for Switch cartridges. During their 30th-anniversary press conference, Macronix chairman Miin Wu has announced that the company will build 48-layer 3D NAND memory in the second half of 2020.

After 48-layer 3D NAND memories, Macronix plans to ship 96-layer 3D NAND memories in 2021, and 192-layer 3D NAND memories in 2022. As of now, Macronix’s most advanced technology is 19nm NAND cards, which have been in dominant use in the market since its launch in February 2019. 

Nintendo Switch takes advantage of the NAND technology with its cartridges and Macronix’s new memory devices might finally become the breakthrough that Nintendo was looking for in Switch gaming. Nintendo Switch cartridges currently limited to 32GB of memory and the new 48-layer 3D NAND might increase that ceiling to 64GB.