Nintendo has announced that the Switch 1 consoles will be discontinued in Europe due to changes in EU legislation regarding batteries
Nintendo has announced plans to halt sales of its original Switch system, along with its Lite and OLED variants, in Europe beginning next year.
The company shared this development in a statement, indicating that as they anticipate "changes in European battery regulations taking effect by mid-February 2027," some Nintendo products in Europe will undergo changes. These changes will involve incorporating a user-replaceable battery, initiated on a rolling basis.
Nintendo has made it clear that while products will undergo revisions to include user-replaceable batteries, their functionality will remain unchanged from current models.
This move aligns with a 2023 EU directive mandating portable gaming devices to feature replaceable batteries by 2027. Proposed initially in 2020, this legislation affects future iterations of portable consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.
The following items will maintain their current battery specifications in Europe, according to Nintendo:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Controller for Nintendo Switch
- Pokémon GO Plus +
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Lite
- Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad for Nintendo Switch
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Controller for Nintendo Switch
The updated products are expected to start being introduced from the summer of 2026, with a complete rollout anticipated by early 2027.
Nintendo noted that "due to a range of conditions, the revised products might not be accessible simultaneously across all European nations."
According to IGN, Nintendo stated that production of the Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED will persist in 2026 to ensure ample availability in Europe throughout the year.
However, post-mid-February 2027, close to a decade since the Switch's initial launch in March 2017, Nintendo will cease selling these systems to European retailers.
Furthermore, they confirmed plans to continue sales of the Nintendo Switch in areas outside of Nintendo of Europe's jurisdiction.
It has also been reported by GamesIndustry.biz that the Nintendo Switch 2 has been instrumental in reversing a decline in US physical game expenditures, marking the first annual increase since 2009.