The Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, 2017

The Nintendo Switch came out on March 3, 2017, in Japan, North America, and Europe. This is the date that matters if you're trying to figure out how old your console is or whether it falls into a particular hardware generation. A Switch purchased in 2017 is now several years old, which affects what you might expect from the battery, the likelihood of drift problems in the controllers, and whether Nintendo still supports it with updates.

Nintendo released the console as a hybrid device — a home console that docks to a TV and a portable handheld that works on its own. This design was new at the time and shaped how the console has been used and supported ever since. Understanding the original release date helps you know what your console was built to do and what kind of wear and tear to expect based on how long it has been in use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Nintendo Switch first released on March 3, 2017, making consoles from that year now over six years old.
  • The original 2017 model has a different battery than later versions, so the year of manufacture affects how long the battery lasts on a single charge.
  • Joy-Con drift — a common problem where controllers register input when you are not touching them — became more frequent in consoles from 2017 and 2018 as the controllers aged.
  • Nintendo released updated Switch models in 2019 and 2021, so the year your console was made determines which hardware revision you own.

How the 2017 release date affects your console's battery life

The original Switch from 2017 has a battery rated for about 4.5 to 6.5 hours of play time, depending on what game you are running. If your console is from 2017 or 2018, the battery has now been through thousands of charge cycles and will hold less charge than it did new. A battery that once lasted six hours might now last three or four, especially if you have used the console regularly.

Nintendo released an updated model in August 2019 with a larger battery that lasts 5.5 to 9 hours. If you own a Switch from 2019 or later, your battery is likely to hold a charge longer than an original 2017 model would, even if both consoles are the same age in years. The year of manufacture is printed on the back of your console near the serial number, so you can check which battery you have.

Joy-Con drift and age since the 2017 launch

Joy-Con drift — where the analog stick registers movement even when you are not touching it — became a widespread problem starting in 2017 and 2018. The issue is not unique to early consoles, but older controllers have had more time for the internal components to wear down. If you bought your Switch in 2017 and have used the same Joy-Cons since then, drift is more likely than if you bought the console in 2021.

Nintendo has repaired and replaced Joy-Cons under warranty for many years, even after the warranty period officially ended. The company has also released updated Joy-Con designs in later Switch models that appear to have fewer drift problems, though the issue still occurs. If your controllers are drifting, the year your console was made does not determine whether you can get help — it determines how long the controllers have been in use.

Different Switch models released after 2017

Nintendo did not release a new Switch model until 2019, but when it did, the hardware inside changed. The 2019 model kept the same design but improved the battery and made small changes to the processor. In October 2021, Nintendo released the Switch OLED model, which has a larger screen and better speakers but costs more than the standard Switch.

If your console is from 2017, you own the original model. If it is from 2019 to 2021, you own the updated standard model. If it is from late 2021 onward, you might own the OLED version. The year of manufacture affects which features your console has and how long the battery lasts, but all three models play the same games and work with the same accessories.

Why the release date matters for software updates

Nintendo stopped releasing major system updates for the Switch in 2021, though the company still releases small patches and security fixes. A console from 2017 has received every update Nintendo has ever released for the Switch, so the software is the same whether your console is new or six years old. The release date does not affect which games you can play or which features your console has access to.

What the release date does affect is how much longer Nintendo will support the console. The Switch is now in the later years of its lifespan, and Nintendo is expected to announce a new console sometime in the coming years. A console from 2017 will eventually stop receiving updates, but that point has not arrived yet.

Checking the manufacture date on your own console

The year your Switch was made is printed on the back of the console, near the bottom. Look for a serial number that starts with letters and numbers — the format is usually HAC-001 followed by more characters. The serial number itself does not tell you the year, but Nintendo's support website has a tool where you can enter the serial number and find out when the console was manufactured.

You can also estimate the year based on when you purchased it. If you bought the console new in 2017, it was made in 2017. If you bought it used, the manufacture date might be earlier than the purchase date. Checking the serial number is the only way to know for certain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Switch from 2017 still worth buying used?

Yes, if the price is low enough and the console works. A 2017 Switch plays all the same games as a new one, but the battery will not last as long and the Joy-Cons are more likely to have drift. If you plan to use it mostly docked to a TV, the battery age matters less.

Will Nintendo stop supporting the 2017 Switch?

Nintendo has not announced an end date for Switch support. The console will eventually stop receiving updates when a new console launches, but that has not happened yet. Even after updates stop, the console will continue to play games already released.

Can I replace the battery in my 2017 Switch?

Yes, but it requires opening the console and is not officially supported by Nintendo. Third-party replacement batteries are available online, and some repair shops will do the work for a fee. Nintendo's official repair service can also replace the battery if you send the console in.

Does the 2017 release date mean my Switch is outdated?

Not for playing games. The Switch hardware from 2017 runs current games at the same performance as a new console. The main differences are battery life and the likelihood of controller problems, not processing power or game compatibility.