Nintendo Stops Selling Original Switch in Europe
Nintendo will stop selling the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED in Europe from mid-February 2027.
From a New EU Battery Rule
A new European Union (EU) regulation on portable devices’ replaceable batteries is primarily responsible for this decision, which comes weeks before the console’s tenth birthday.
(July 6, 2026 – 4:11 pm)
Image by: Nintendo
Nearly ten years after its launch, the original Nintendo Switch will disappear from European shops next year. The reason is not a successor like the Switch 2 but rather a new EU rule on batteries.
Starting this summer, Nintendo will phase out the current models and introduce revised ones that comply with the regulation. These changes include a slightly smaller battery for the Switch 2.
Details of the Transition:
- Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED: Sales to retailers and through the Nintendo Store will both end from mid-February 2027.
- Battery Rule: The new EU regulation requires portable devices sold in the bloc to allow users to replace their batteries.
- Switch 2: A version with a user-replaceable battery is expected to reach shops this autumn, featuring minimal changes with a slightly reduced battery capacity (5,172mAh) and a weight increase of approximately 10g.
- Other Accessories Retiring: Nintendo will also retire the original Switch Pro Controller, Sega Mega Drive and SNES pads, and the Pokémon Go Plus+ accessory due to the new regulations.
Impact Beyond Europe:
Nintendo has not indicated whether this cull extends beyond Europe. Given rising manufacturing costs and the shift to the Switch 2, stopping production worldwide might be tempting. However, the original machine still has life left in it, with fresh first-party games like Rhythm Heaven Groove and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on the way.
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