It’s not a surprising bit of news, but it is somewhat of a melancholy end to the original Switch’s shelf life, as Nintendo has announced plans to discontinue the OG Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models in European markets from mid-February 2027.
It all comes down to regional regulations that require user-replaceable batteries on devices like the Nintendo Switch 2, Joy-Con 2, Switch 2 Pro Controller, and more. And while the Switch 2 is still fresh, these changes come at the cost of leaving behind a handheld that carried Nintendo’s success throughout its long dominance of the space, while also handing its successor a strong foundation to build its own future. That OLED model was a particularly enticing offering once you got your hands on it.
Of course, production is going to continue over the rest of 2026, and if you’re in Europe and looking to nab one of these before they become part of gaming history, you might want to factor one into your holiday plans.
It’s with fondness and appreciation for what it has achieved that we bid goodbye to the Switch, but don’t worry – there are still some worthy titles like Rhythm Heaven Groove that you can pick up.
