Nintendo discontinues first Switch generation in Europe in February 2027

The reason is European requirements under which many electronic devices must be equipped with user-replaceable batteries from February 18, 2027. "Die Batterieverordnung ist Teil der EU-Bemühungen um ein Recht auf Reparatur und betrifft neben Spielkonsolen unter anderem Kopfhörer und Saugroboter." According to Nintendo, the first-generation Switch family will not be reworked for the new requirements.

Consoles already sold will remain fully usable. The new requirements only apply to products that enter the market after the cutoff date. The eShop, Nintendo Switch Online, as well as additional accessories and existing games will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future, according to Nintendo.

What remains – and what disappears?

According to the support page, the three consoles will still be produced as usual in 2026 and are expected to remain widely available in Europe. Not all European countries will be supplied at the same time, Nintendo writes. Whether the original Switch will also be discontinued outside Europe has not been announced by Nintendo so far. The announcement applies exclusively to the markets served by Nintendo of Europe.

In addition to the three Switch models, the Switch Pro Controller, the retro controllers in NES, SNES, and Mega Drive designs, as well as the "Pokémon GO Plus +" accessory will also be dropped from the lineup. Anyone looking for a replacement device or additional accessories from the first generation will need to stock up by February 2027.

Accessories are also affected

The Switch 2 and several controllers will gradually be replaced from summer by revised versions whose batteries users can replace themselves. The first to be released are selected Joy-Con colors for the original Switch. Starting in summer 2026, revised versions of the Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the N64 and GameCube controllers will be released in stages.

New models with replaceable batteries

In autumn, the Switch 2 console follows along with the included Joy-Con 2 controllers; in winter, individually sold Joy-Con 2 and the Switch 2 Pro Controller are next. The N64 and GameCube controllers will follow in early 2027. For all revised products, Nintendo also plans to offer matching replacement batteries in the European Nintendo Store going forward.

Nintendo had confirmed at the beginning of June on a compliance page that it was preparing a Switch 2 with a replaceable battery for the EU market – at that time still without a date or technical details. According to Nintendo, the functionality will not change. However, weight and battery capacity will change slightly on some devices.

Battery, weight, and functionality

For example, the battery of the revised Switch 2 at 5,172 mAh instead of 5,220 mAh is about one percent smaller, while the console itself becomes somewhat heavier: the revised Switch 2 weighs 411 grams and is thus 10 grams more than the current version. The Switch 2 Pro Controller's battery shrinks more significantly: 897 instead of 1070 mAh means a decrease of 16 percent, but the gamepad becomes 7 grams lighter. The GameCube controller for the Switch 2 even gains slightly in battery capacity.

Up to now, replacing the battery on the Switch 2 requires tools, patience, and expertise. Nintendo plans to sell matching replacement batteries as spare-part kits in its own store, so buyers can repair their devices without a specialized workshop.

Nintendo had continued selling the original Switch for years as a cheaper entry-level option alongside its new flagship. With the end of sales in Europe, this option disappears – existing devices will remain fully functional, and digital services such as the eShop will continue to run for the time being.