Gamers face a race against time after being warned by Nintendo that one of its most popular ever products will be discontinued in Europe14:54, 07 Jul 2026Nintendo has dropped a bombshell on fans by announcing that its most popular console of all time will be discontinued in Europe. The decision impacts a host of devices including the original Nintendo Switch console.‌Launched back in 2017, the initial Nintendo Switch went on to sell more than 96 million units. Since then, the updated OLED version and Switch Lite both released and increased the total sales number to a whopping 155.92 million.‌That made the Switch family of consoles Nintendo's biggest ever seller, surpassing the Nintendo Wii's 101.63 million units. But the original Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED will no longer be available in a host of countries including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy from next year.‌It's part of a move to replace the battery in a host of Nintendo products in order to meet European regulations coming into effect from mid-February 2027. While some devices will be replaced, the original Switch family of consoles is not among them and Nintendo has warned that those consoles won't be available from them directly as of next February.In a statement, a Nintendo spokesperson said: "Starting summer 2026, in preparation for upcoming changes in European battery regulations coming into effect in mid-February 2027, selected Nintendo products in Europe will begin to be replaced on a rolling basis by revisions that contain a user-replaceable battery. There is no difference in functionality between current products and revised products containing user-replaceable batteries."The first revised products are expected to become available from summer 2026, with additional products becoming available in autumn, winter, and early 2027. Due to a variety of factors, revised products may not become available in all European countries simultaneously."‌The first product set to be available once revised is the original neon red and blue Joy-Con controllers, as well as other selected colours. They will be available this summer and feature no change in battery capacity or weight.However, the Switch 2 console will have a battery "approximately 1% smaller" than its current version, and included Joy-Con 2 controllers will also have user-replaceable batteries. The console will also be roughly 10g heavier than the current 401g model, or 14g heavier than with the Joy-Cons attached, which is currently 534g, and will be available in the Autumn.‌In the winter, the revised Joy-Con 2 pair and singlular left and right models will be available with the new battery. The revised Switch 2 Pro Controller will also arrive.In early 2027, gamers will be able to get their hands on the revised N64 controller for Nintendo Switch and the GameCube controller for Switch 2. Nintendo has also pledged that battery replacement kits for each product will be available for purchase for European customers in the future.A spokesperson added: "Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model will all continue to be manufactured in 2026, and should be widely available in Europe all 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 hardware on Nintendo Store will also end in mid-February 2027."Regarding availability at retail, please check with your local retailers in the future for more information. Nintendo Switch has an extensive library of games that continues to grow, and Nintendo Switch owners can continue to enjoy all their existing Nintendo games and accessories, and Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Switch Online, and other services will all continue for the foreseeable future."Nintendo consoles and devices to be discontinued this year - full listArticle continues belowNintendo SwitchNintendo Switch LiteNintendo Switch – OLED ModelNintendo Entertainment System (NES) Controller for Nintendo SwitchPokémon GO Plus +Nintendo Switch Pro ControllerSEGA Mega Drive Control Pad for Nintendo SwitchSuper Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Controller for Nintendo Switch