Nintendo has announced that it will discontinue sales of original Nintendo Switch consoles in Europe from mid-February 2027, citing upcoming changes to European Union battery regulations. The decision affects the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED Model, though the newer Switch 2 will remain available with a replaceable battery.
Battery Regulation Changes Drive Decision
New EU regulations set to take effect in February 2027 require that portable electronic devices sold in Europe have user-replaceable batteries. To comply, Nintendo will release updated versions of Switch 2 consoles and accessories—including Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, and GameCube controllers—with replaceable batteries starting autumn 2026. The company also plans to offer battery replacement kits for these products via the Nintendo Store in Europe at a later date.
According to a Nintendo FAQ page: "Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model will all continue to be manufactured in 2026, and should be widely available in Europe all year. From mid-February 2027, almost ten years after Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017, Nintendo will no longer sell to retailers hardware in the Nintendo Switch family of systems… Sales of Nintendo Switch hardware on Nintendo Store will also end in mid-February 2027."
Impact on Sales and Availability
The original Switch remains Nintendo's best-selling console, surpassing 155 million units sold earlier in 2026. The discontinuation in Europe may hinder its chances of becoming the all-time best-selling console, though sales in other regions like the US and Japan are expected to continue. Nintendo has not announced similar plans for other territories, suggesting the change is specific to Europe.
Despite the hardware phase-out, Nintendo continues to support the Switch with new games, including the recently released Rhythm Paradise Groove. The cost of retrofitting older consoles with replaceable batteries late in their lifecycle likely influenced the decision to cease sales rather than modify existing hardware.
For context, the Switch launched in March 2017 and has enjoyed an unusually long sales lifespan, buoyed by strong first-party titles and hybrid portability. The European phase-out marks a significant milestone, ending nearly a decade of availability in the region.
