Technology
Nintendo winds down original Switch sales ahead of European battery regulations
The company will stop supplying the original console to European retailers by mid-February 2027, though online services and existing games remain supported.
The short version
- Nintendo is phasing out original Switch hardware sales in Europe by mid-February 2027 due to new regulations requiring user-replaceable batteries.
- No end-of-life date has been announced for the console's online services, and existing systems, games, and accessories will remain fully functional for the foreseeable future.
- Following the July 2026 release of Rhythm Heaven Groove, Nintendo has no further upcoming first-party game releases scheduled for the original Switch.
Key facts
- Nintendo will stop supplying original Switch hardware to European retailers in mid-February 2027 due to European regulations requiring user-replaceable batteries.[Engadget]
- As of June 30, 2026, Nintendo had sold 156.59 million Switch systems globally, making it the company's best-selling console.[Engadget]
- Nintendo states that the Switch eShop, Nintendo Switch Online, and other digital services will continue for the foreseeable future.[Engadget]
- Backward compatibility on the Switch 2 allows original Switch games to remain viable, with approximately 40 percent of players of the original Switch title Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream playing it on the newer console.[Engadget]
- According to Nintendo, the Switch console battery is expected to retain roughly 80 percent of its capacity after 800 charge cycles.[Engadget]
What remains uncertain
- Nintendo has not yet announced when it will stop selling the original Switch hardware in markets outside of Europe, such as the United States or Japan.[Engadget]