It'll be forced to release a tweaked version of its Switch 2 console
The Japanese firm has confirmed plans to stop sales of the original Nintendo Switch console across European countries from mid-February 2027, marking the end of almost a decade since the system launched in March 2017.
The cull will impact all iterations of the Nintendo Switch hardware, including the standard Nintendo Switch, the portable-focused Switch Lite, and the Nintendo Switch OLED model with its upgraded screen. If you haven't tried a Nintendo Switch before, this is the perfect opportunity to try the hybrid console that combines handheld gameplay in the tradition of the Nintendo Game Boy and DS with its home console efforts, like the Nintendo Wii and GameCube.
Nintendo will launch a new Switch 2 in the coming months, specifically for European markets, with the ability to swap out the lithium-ion battery. The exact pricing for this revised Switch 2 hasn't been confirmed for the UK yet, though you can expect updated details as the autumn launch approaches.
Why is Nintendo going to the hassle of discontinuing one of its biggest-selling consoles of all time, and revising the hardware of its newest model to add the ability to switch out the battery? Well, it all comes down to new rules being enforced by the European Union, which are due to take effect from February 18, 2027.
These regulations require that all portable electronic devices sold across EU member states must feature batteries that owners can swap out themselves. Lawmakers hope the rules will reduce the environmental impact of consumer electronics by ensuring batteries remain serviceable throughout the lifespan of a product, rather than forcing you to throw away the entire console when the battery degrades. If manufacturers don't comply with the new standards, their products face being banned from sale in European Union markets.
Nintendo has decided the ageing Switch hardware, now approaching its tenth birthday, doesn't warrant the engineering overhaul needed to meet these requirements.
The newer Switch 2 is getting a European makeover beginning this autumn to comply with the battery regulations. You'll find the revised console carries a battery rated at 5,172mAh, which represents roughly a 1% reduction from the current 5,220mAh capacity.
That smaller battery means the updated Switch 2 will be slightly heavier than what's available now, weighing in at 548g with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached, compared to 534g for the present version. The Joy-Con 2 controllers themselves will feature replaceable batteries when sold separately from this winter onwards.
If you're planning to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the revised version will have a battery capacity that's 16% smaller, though it does end up 7 grams lighter overall. Of course, it'll also allow users to swap out the built-in battery pack to extend its lifespan.
Nintendo will also update its retro-style controllers from early 2027, with the N64 pad gaining 1g and the GameCube controller adding 5g. Battery replacement kits for each product will become available through Nintendo's European store at a later date.
If you already own a Nintendo Switch, you don't need to worry about losing access to your video games or online services.
The first-generation Switch has become the firm's most successful console to date, selling over 155.37 million units worldwide by the end of 2025, which puts it ahead of the previous record-holder, the Nintendo DS.
Despite a withdrawal from European retailers, Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo Switch Online and the eShop will continue to operate for the foreseeable future, with all existing games and accessories continuing to work as normal. The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console of all time, with 160 million units sold.
