Nintendo Stops Original Switch Production in Europe Next February

Nintendo announced it will stop producing the original Switch in Europe next February. The decision responds to European regulations that will soon require easily replaceable batteries in most consumer electronics. Rather than redesigning multiple original Switch models to comply with that regulation, Nintendo has decided to stop selling the 9-year-old console in the region, while the Switch 2 draws focus from both the company and the market.

Switch Sales Show Consistent Decline Before Switch 2 Launch

Sales of Switch hardware and software have been falling consistently for years, well before the arrival of the Switch 2. The older system peaked at nearly 29 million worldwide hardware shipments in the 2021 fiscal year, ending in March 2021. Switch software sales peaked at over 235 million the next year.

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An Ars analysis of Nintendo's recent history, as documented in its annual earnings releases, shows that sales for even the company's bestselling hardware tend to decline to zero after nine years on the market. Among recent Nintendo portables, only the DS showed higher hardware sales peaks than the Switch.

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Switch Hardware Peaked Later Than Previous Nintendo Consoles

Historically, the peaks for Switch hardware and software sales were higher than those for every other modern Nintendo platform, save the Nintendo DS. Those peaks also came later in life for the Switch than for many other Nintendo consoles. The 3DS and Wii saw their strongest hardware sales in their second full fiscal year on the market, while the Switch didn't peak until its fourth fiscal year.

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The data shows the Switch being a relatively resilient market force that could sustain its commercial life well into its second decade on the market. The new battery rules will not affect the availability of the Switch outside of Europe.

FAQ

When will Nintendo stop producing the original Switch in Europe?

Nintendo will stop producing the original Switch in Europe next February in response to European regulations requiring easily replaceable batteries in most consumer electronics.

What were the Switch's peak sales numbers?

The Switch peaked at nearly 29 million worldwide hardware shipments in the 2021 fiscal year ending in March 2021, and Switch software sales peaked at over 235 million the next year.

How does the Switch's lifecycle compare to other Nintendo consoles?

The Switch peaked later than many other Nintendo consoles, reaching its strongest hardware sales in its fourth fiscal year, while the 3DS and Wii peaked in their second full fiscal year on the market.