Following early reports that Nintendo would be releasing a revised model of its Nintendo Switch 2 console and Joy-Con 2 controllers in Europe, sporting removable batteries to comply with European battery regulations, the company has confirmed that the updated products will start to be rolled out in the coming months and through to early 2027.
Along with this news, the company has also announced that it’s ending sales of all of its original Nintendo Switch family of consoles in Europe – meaning the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED.
The company will continue to manufacture and supply them in Europe through 2026, but will stop selling the hardware to retailers in mid-February 2027, when the new battery laws come into effect. It’s not been made clear how or if this might impact the rest of the world, but given it seems as though Nintendo has simply opted to stop making legacy Switch hardware rather than go to the expense of developing and manufacturing new, compliant versions of each machine for European regions, we don’t see it making a direct difference to the production and supply elsewhere.
Here are the two statements regarding the revised Nintendo Switch 2 products and the discontinuation of the original Nintendo Switch family of consoles:
Information about upcoming battery-related revisions to some Nintendo products
Starting summer 2026, in preparation for upcoming changes in European battery regulations coming into effect in mid-February 2027, selected Nintendo products in Europe will begin to be replaced on a rolling basis by revisions that contain a user-replaceable battery. There is no difference in functionality between current products and revised products containing user-replaceable batteries.
The first revised products are expected to become available from summer 2026, with additional products becoming available in autumn, winter, and early 2027. Due to a variety of factors, revised products may not become available in all European countries simultaneously.
The table below shows the estimated earliest availability in Nintendo Store, although please note that these timings may change depending on manufacturing, distribution, and other factors. Availability at retailers may also vary, so please check with your local retailers in the future for more information.
What does that mean for Nintendo Switch consoles in Europe?
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.
From mid-February 2027, almost ten 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. Sales of Nintendo Switch hardware on Nintendo Store will also end in mid-February 2027.
Regarding availability at retail, please check with your local retailers in the future for more information. 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.
Born into the world of video games through SEGA, and in particular Sonic the Hedgehog, Kieron’s gaming tastes now consist of the latest, shiny AAA thing, an indie darling or two, and an embarrassing number of hours of Balatro.