Particle.news

Nintendo To Stop Selling Original Switch in Europe as It Rolls Out Replaceable‑Battery Switch 2

The change responds to new EU rules requiring user‑replaceable batteries and will be implemented through a staged European rollout of revised Switch 2 hardware and controllers.

Overview

  • Nintendo disclosed Monday that it will begin replacing selected products in Europe with versions that have user‑replaceable batteries starting summer 2026 and continuing into early 2027.
  • The company provided a phased timetable that begins with revised Joy‑Con controllers in summer, the Switch 2 console in autumn, Pro Controller and Joy‑Con 2 updates in winter, and N64/GameCube controllers in early 2027.
  • Nintendo says the revised units keep the same functionality as current models but carry small battery‑capacity and weight changes, for example a Switch 2 battery of about 5,172mAh and roughly 10 grams of extra weight with controllers attached.
  • From mid‑February 2027 Nintendo will stop selling the original Switch family — the Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED — to European retailers and on the Nintendo Store while continuing manufacture through 2026 to supply remaining stock.
  • Consumers in Europe will get battery replacement kits through Nintendo Store and can expect uneven country‑by‑country availability, and some legacy accessories will not be reissued with replaceable batteries and will be removed from sale.