Nintendo has announced that it will completely cease sales of the original Nintendo Switch and all its versions in Europe.
The reason for the changes is European Union legislation coming into force in 2027, which requires that the battery of the device can be easily replaced in several product categories. This directive extending the lifespan of products was already approved in 2023, meaning a transition period of approximately four years has been given.
The legislation comes into force in spring 2027, but it does not apply to, for example, waterproof products - meaning virtually all modern mobile phones and, for instance, electric toothbrushes are excluded from the law.
But since the Nintendo Switch is not waterproof, Nintendo would have had to release a new version of the Switch specifically for Europe to be able to sell it even after spring 2027.
The original Switch went on sale in Europe in 2017, so Nintendo evidently concluded that it was no longer worth making a new version of a decade-old game console solely for Europe.
According to Nintendo's statement, it will cease shipments of the original Switch to European retailers in February-March 2027, and at the same time, it will also stop selling the console through its own online store in Europe. Sales of the Switch will continue elsewhere in the world after that.
In addition, retailers are free to sell off Switches in their inventory even after the deadline, but Nintendo will no longer supply them for sale.
At the same time, a completely new version of the Nintendo Switch 2 will also be released, which, in turn, complies with the new EU laws, meaning its batteries can be replaced by the user. Similarly, versions of the Switch 2's controllers, or Joy-Cons, will be released in Europe with easily replaceable batteries for the consumer.
Old Switches will naturally continue to function even after the legislation comes into force - meaning the law only applies to new products.
It should also be mentioned that, concurrently with the original Switch, Nintendo will also cease sales of the Pokemon Go Plus+ accessory in Europe.
The legislation comes into force in spring 2027, but it does not apply to, for example, waterproof products - meaning virtually all modern mobile phones and, for instance, electric toothbrushes are excluded from the law.
But since the Nintendo Switch is not waterproof, Nintendo would have had to release a new version of the Switch specifically for Europe to be able to sell it even after spring 2027.
The original Switch went on sale in Europe in 2017, so Nintendo evidently concluded that it was no longer worth making a new version of a decade-old game console solely for Europe.
According to Nintendo's statement, it will cease shipments of the original Switch to European retailers in February-March 2027, and at the same time, it will also stop selling the console through its own online store in Europe. Sales of the Switch will continue elsewhere in the world after that.
In addition, retailers are free to sell off Switches in their inventory even after the deadline, but Nintendo will no longer supply them for sale.
At the same time, a completely new version of the Nintendo Switch 2 will also be released, which, in turn, complies with the new EU laws, meaning its batteries can be replaced by the user. Similarly, versions of the Switch 2's controllers, or Joy-Cons, will be released in Europe with easily replaceable batteries for the consumer.
Old Switches will naturally continue to function even after the legislation comes into force - meaning the law only applies to new products.
It should also be mentioned that, concurrently with the original Switch, Nintendo will also cease sales of the Pokemon Go Plus+ accessory in Europe.
