Nintendo Plans to Discontinue Original Switch Sales in Europe Next Year

It’s time for Europe to bid farewell to the original Switch. In 2023, the European Commission passed a resolution mandating that all portable electronics sold in the region must feature user-replaceable batteries. This regulation will take effect in 2027, allowing manufacturers some time to adapt before the deadline. For Nintendo, this means that the original Switch will be discontinued in February 2027.

Nintendo announced on its blog that this discontinuation will also affect the Switch Lite and OLED models, along with various controllers and accessories tied to the original Switch. While some products will see compliant replacements, others will not be replaced at all, meaning they won’t be available for purchase in stores or online. Here’s a complete list of the products that will soon be permanently retired:

This is disappointing news for those who still cherish their Switch or need to find replacements for special controllers. On a brighter note, Nintendo launched a new console last year and plans to introduce a regulation-compliant version of the Switch 2 later this year. Compliant Joy-Cons for both the original Switch and the Switch 2, as well as Switch 2 Pro Controllers, will also be rolled out gradually. The ability to replace batteries in your devices without needing to buy entirely new equipment is definitely a plus. While it’s a long shot, let’s hope Nintendo makes its battery-swappable models available globally as well.