After almost a decade on sale, Nintendo will no longer sell its original Switch console — including Switch Lite and Switch OLED models — from mid-February 2027 onwards in Europe.
Nintendo announced the change today in small print attached to its blog post announcing that new versions of the Switch 2 console and its controllers will be coming to Europe next year, manufactured to to meet a fresh EU requirement that electrical goods should feature user-replaceable batteries.
But while new Switch 1 Joy-Con with replaceable batteries will be made, no new Switch 1 console models will roll out. And it’s seemingly because of this replacement battery situation that the aging console range will instead be withdrawn from sale entirely.
“The below products will not be replaced by versions that contain user-replaceable batteries in Europe,” Nintendo stated, noting the following list would not be sold via the Nintendo Store from mid-February 2027 onwards:
- 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
Nintendo then followed this with a specific statement on Switch console models:
“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,” the company said. “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 – specifically Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model.”
While this is a European announcement, some fans have questioned whether the same move will be replicated globally, as there’s no specific caveat that this will only apply to a certain region. Indeed, some have pointed to Nintendo’s statement that the console will only be manufactured in 2026 as evidence the console’s production line will wind down this year.
IGN has contacted Nintendo for more detail and will update when we hear back.
Of course, with Switch 2 launched, the Switch 1 era is rapidly drawing to a close. Switch 1 are down dramatically year-on-year, which is to be expected, there’s now doubt over whether the console can still overtake PS2 to become the best-selling console of all time, and Nintendo has largely stopped releasing new Switch 1 games (with Rhythm Heaven Groove a recent exception). This year’s Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will be Switch 2 only, as was this year’s smash hit Pokémon Pokopia. Next year’s hugely-anticipated Pokémon Winds and Waves will also be Switch 2 exclusive.
But while new Switch 1 consoles will still be sold, Nintendo has assured fans that it will still support its hugely popular console for the forseeable future.
“Regarding availability at retail, please check with your local retailers in the future for more information,” it concluded. Nintendo Switch has an extensive library of games that continues to grow, and Nintendo Switch owners can continue to enjoy all their existing Nintendo games and accessories, and Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Switch Online, and other services will all continue for the foreseeable future.”
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
