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Upon the release of the Switch 2, Nintendo made it clear that they still saw the last-gen Switch 1 as a contemporary console which could co-exist alongside the console maker’s next-gen offering. Of course, it was only a matter of time before Nintendo would eventually move on from the nearly-decade-old system. Even so, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the OG Nintendo Switch 1 (and its wider family of systems) will officially no longer be sold in Europe from next year.
As part of the European Union’s recent changes to battery regulations (in which console makers need to ensure they systems’ batteries are user replaceable), Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 and its accessories will be updated to comply with these new rules, stating:
“selected Nintendo products in Europe will begin to be replaced on a rolling basis by revisions that contain a user-replaceable battery”. Full details on all of the different products being affected can be found HERE.
Alongside this announcement, Nintendo also revealed that the Switch 1 will be ceasing production soon, taking to its FAQ to write: “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.”
A couple other bits of hardware are also set to be discontinued come February 2027, including:
- NES Controller for Nintendo Switch
- Pokémon GO Plus +
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad for Nintendo Switch
- SNES Controller for Nintendo Switch
The OG Nintendo Switch has had an excellent run over the past 9+ years, amassing more than 155 million units sold while pushing over 1.5 billion software unit sales. Currently positioned as the 2nd best-selling console of all time, it will be interesting to see whether the ceasing of Switch 1 sales in Europe will ultimately hamper the console’s ability to surpass the PS2’s 160 million units. We will have to wait and see.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this announcement? Are you surprised to see them discontinuing the Switch 1 in Europe? Will the PS2’s sales ever be beaten? Let us know down below.
