The Nintendo Switch could soon make use of 64 GB cartridges, nullifying the current need for publishers to release download codes for physical copies of large games. This change could take place as soon as 2020.
Currently, Nintendo Switch utilizes 32 GB cartridges for its games. This means that if a game has a larger download size, its physical release often contains a download code rather than a game cartridge. Considering that the Switch also has a paltry amount of internal storage space, this has become a problem for the console.
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However, as reported by AnandTech (via GameRant), the Taiwan-based manufacturer Macronix is set to begin shipments of its 3D NAND memory next year. The company will start with 48-layer 3D NAND memory in the second half of 2020, followed by 96-layer 3D NAND in 2021 and 192-layer 3D NAND in 2022. This is notable as Nintendo is set to be its first customer.
Nintendo reportedly looking into 64 GB cartridges back in 2018, though technical issues saw its work in this department being delayed. Macronix’s headway in this department and Nintendo’s partnership with the company could mean we’ll be seeing larger cartridges in the Switch’s near-future.
