Highlights
- Nintendo will end original Switch sales in Europe from mid-February 2027.
- Switch 2 hardware will be updated to meet new EU battery rules.
- Nintendo Switch has sold 155.37M units, nearing the PS2 record.
Nintendo will stop supplying the Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch OLED to retailers across Europe from mid-February 2027, according to the official Nintendo Support website. The move ends nearly a decade of retail sales for the Switch family in the region.
Nintendo Store sales will also end. Meanwhile, existing owners will continue to have access to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo eShop, accessories, and other services for the foreseeable future.
The decision comes ahead of new European Union battery regulations. From 2027, consumer devices with built-in batteries must feature user-replaceable batteries. Instead of redesigning the original Switch family, Nintendo is updating the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup and selected accessories to comply with the new rules.
The Original Switch Lineup Enters its Final Year in Europe
Nintendo confirmed that the Switch family will continue to be manufactured throughout 2026. The consoles should remain widely available across Europe during the year.
The company stated that, "From mid-February 2027, almost 10 years after Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017, Nintendo will no longer sell to retailers hardware in the Nintendo Switch family of systems." Retailers will continue selling available stock until it runs out.
Nintendo Revises Switch 2 Hardware for EU Battery Rules
Nintendo will begin rolling out revised products from summer 2026. More products will follow in autumn, winter, and early 2027. The company confirmed that the updated models offer the same functionality as current versions.
Products receiving revised versions include:
- Nintendo Switch 2 console
- Joy-Con pair (selected colours)
- Joy-Con (L) Neon Blue
- Joy-Con (R) Neon Red
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
- Nintendo 64 Controller for Nintendo Switch
- Joy-Con 2 pair
- Joy-Con 2 (L)
- Joy-Con 2 (R)
- Nintendo GameCube Controller for Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo will also sell battery replacement kits through the Nintendo Store.
The revised Switch 2 console will feature a 5,172mAh battery, about 1% smaller than the current model. It will weigh 411g, or 548g with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached.
Customers will not be able to choose between the current and revised versions. Nintendo said the updated models will replace existing stock as inventories are depleted.
The following products will not be updated with user-replaceable batteries:
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- Nintendo Switch Lite
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Nintendo Entertainment System Controller for Nintendo Switch
- SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad for Nintendo Switch
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller for Nintendo Switch
- Pokémon GO Plus+
Nintendo Switch Closes in on PlayStation 2's Sales Record
Since its launch, it has been Nintendo's first hybrid gaming system. It has subsequently become the company's best-selling console.
As of Dec 31, 2025, the Nintendo Switch had sold 155.37M units worldwide, surpassing the Nintendo DS' 154.02M lifetime sales. Sony's PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console of all time, with 160M units sold.
Nintendo has not announced similar plans for other regions yet. For now, the changes apply only to markets served by Nintendo of Europe. The transition allows Nintendo to meet upcoming EU regulations while continuing to support millions of existing Switch players.
