Nintendo has clarified the future of the original Nintendo Switch, confirming that the console will continue to be sold outside Europe despite announcing plans to discontinue hardware sales across the region in early 2027.
The clarification comes after Nintendo’s earlier announcement led some fans to speculate that the company was preparing to retire the nearly decade-old console worldwide.
According to IGN, Nintendo confirmed that the European decision is tied to regional requirements rather than a global discontinuation.
“We plan to continue selling Nintendo Switch in regions outside of Nintendo of Europe,” Nintendo told IGN.
Europe to phase out Switch 1 in 2027
Nintendo previously announced that Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED Model will continue to be manufactured and remain widely available across Europe throughout 2026. However, beginning in mid-February 2027, the company will stop selling Switch family hardware to European retailers.
The move follows the introduction of updated Nintendo Switch 2 hardware featuring user-replaceable batteries, a change designed to comply with new European Union regulations. Rather than redesigning the original Switch lineup to meet the same requirements, Nintendo has opted to end hardware sales for those models in the region.
Despite the upcoming phase-out, the original Switch will continue receiving software support. Upcoming releases, including Rhythm Heaven Groove, ensure the console remains an active platform while offering a lower-priced alternative to the newer Switch 2.
Original Switch remains available in other markets
Nintendo’s latest statement makes it clear that the European decision does not affect the rest of the world. Markets such as North America and Japan will continue selling the original Switch family for the foreseeable future, with no global retirement date announced.
Launched in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become one of the company’s most successful consoles, selling well over 150 million units worldwide. While the Nintendo Switch 2 is now leading Nintendo’s next generation, the original system continues to attract new buyers thanks to its extensive game library and more affordable price.
For now, Nintendo has drawn a clear distinction between Europe and the rest of the world: while European retailers will stop receiving original Switch hardware in 2027, players in other regions can still expect the console to remain on store shelves.
