Nintendo to discontinue original Switch sales in Europe

Nintendo is making a new version of the Switch with a replaceable battery in Europe, but its predecessor has a very different future. As part of an updated FAQ about revisions to Nintendo hardware in Europe, the company confirmed that it will stop selling all iterations of the original Switch on the continent starting next 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 consoles have been strong, with over 88 million units sold worldwide as of December 2022. The company did not provide details on why it is discontinuing the original Switch in Europe. A Nintendo spokesperson stated that the company is committed to providing customers with the best possible gaming experience.

The new version of the Switch, tentatively referred to as Switch 2, is expected to feature a replaceable battery, among other upgrades. While details are scarce, the move is seen as an effort to make the console more sustainable and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Why this matters: The discontinuation of the original Switch in Europe has significant implications for the gaming industry.

As one of the best-selling consoles of all time, the Switch's lifecycle is a testament to Nintendo's innovative approach to gaming. For developers and businesses, this means that they will need to adapt to a changing console market, potentially shifting focus to the new Switch model. For consumers, this may mean limited options for purchasing older Switch models, but also the excitement of new hardware on the horizon.

Open questions remain about the features and pricing of the new Switch model, as well as its global availability. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Nintendo's move sets the stage for a new era of console gaming.