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 table below shows the estimated earliest availability in Nintendo Store, although please note that these timings may change depending on manufacturing, distribution, and other factors. Availability at retailers may also vary, so please check with your local retailers in the future for more information.
More information will be shared shortly before each revised product becomes available.
Battery replacement kits for each product will be available to purchase from Nintendo Store in Europe in the future.
In which countries will these revised products be sold?
The revised products will be available on a rolling basis in territories where Nintendo of Europe conducts business, either directly or through a distributor, namely: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Will I be able to choose which version I buy?
As products will be replaced on a rolling basis, it will not be possible to choose when buying on Nintendo Store: when the current version of a particular product is sold out, it will be replaced by the revised version.
For retailers, please contact your local retailer for more information.
Can you be more specific with the time frames?
The current estimated timings may change, depending on manufacturing, distribution, and other factors. More information will be shared shortly before each revised product becomes available.
I already own one of these products – are they no longer compliant? Do I need to do anything?
The upcoming changes in European battery regulations coming into effect in mid-February 2027 don’t affect products sold before that time, so there’s no need to do anything.
What about other products that aren’t listed in the table?
The below products will not be replaced by versions that contain user-replaceable batteries in Europe:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Controller for Nintendo Switch*
- Pokémon™ GO Plus +
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Lite
- Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad for Nintendo Switch*
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Controller for Nintendo Switch*
Nintendo will no longer offer the above-named products on Nintendo Store after mid-February 2027. Regarding availability at retail, please check with your local retailers in the future for more information. Products marked with * are only available on Nintendo Store.
What does that mean for Nintendo Switch consoles in Europe?
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.
When will the revised Joy-Con 2 controllers become available?
Joy-Con 2 controllers that contain user-replaceable batteries will be included with the Nintendo Switch 2 console that contains a user-replaceable battery when it becomes available in autumn. At a later date, Joy-Con 2 controllers containing user-replaceable batteries will become available to buy separately, either as a pair or as individual Joy-Con 2 (L) and Joy-Con 2 (R) controllers.
What colours of Joy-Con will be available?
The below Joy-Con colours are planned:
- Joy-Con Pair (Blue/Neon Yellow)
- Joy-Con Pair (Neon Green/Neon Pink)
- Joy-Con Pair (Neon Purple/Neon Orange)
- Joy-Con Pair (Neon Red/Neon Blue)
- Joy-Con Pair (Pastel Pink)
- Joy-Con Pair (Pastel Pink/Pastel Yellow)
- Joy-Con Pair (Pastel Purple/Pastel Green)
- Joy-Con (L) Neon Blue
- Joy-Con (R) Neon Red