Its time for Europe to start saying goodbye to the OG Switch. In 2023, the European Commission voted on a resolution that requires all portable electronics sold in the region to have user-replaceable batteries. The regulation goes into effect starting in 2027, giving manufacturers time to make whatever adjustments are necessary ahead of the deadline. For Nintendo, that means discontinuing the sale of the original Switch in February 2027.
Nintendo stated on its blog that the discontinuation includes the Switch Lite and OLED models as well as a number of controllers and other original Switch accessories. While compliant replacements will be made available for some products, there are some that won’t be replaced at all, meaning you won’t be able to buy them in either traditional retailers or the Nintendo Store. Here’s a full list of the soon-to-be permanently sunset products:
- 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
That sucks if you still love your Switch or need to replace any of the special controllers. However, Nintendo did come out with a new console last year and says it will offer a regulation-compliant model of the Switch 2 starting later this year. Compliant Joy-Cons for the original Switch and the Switch 2 as well as Switch 2 Pro Controllers will also become available on a rolling basis. Being able to change the batteries on your own stuff without having to buy a whole new piece of equipment is a win. Chances are low, but hopefully Nintendo will sell its battery-swappable variants worldwide, too.
