Nintendo is updating the Switch 2 with a removable battery design specifically for the European market, following new EU regulations aimed at boosting consumer repair options. The change is driven by Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which mandates that portable batteries in products sold in Europe must be easily removable and replaceable by users throughout the product’s lifespan. This requirement takes effect on February 18, 2027, forcing Nintendo to revise its hardware to comply before then.
The updated design will extend to the Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers, making battery replacements straightforward without specialized tools or materials. Although currently targeted at the EU, Nintendo reportedly hopes to implement similar changes globally if right-to-repair legislation gains traction in markets like the US and Japan. It’s a curious move given Europe represents Nintendo’s second-largest market after the US, where a removable battery could have been standard from the start.
For gamers, this update promises longer device longevity and easier maintenance, addressing consumer frustrations with sealed units that force costly repairs or replacements. Nintendo’s iteration aligns it with shifting industry norms, as other manufacturers, including Sony and Apple, have introduced more user-friendly battery replacement options for controllers and laptops in response to repairability laws and consumer pressure.
This hardware revision arrives amid a mixed environment for Nintendo: though the Switch 2 had record-breaking launch sales, the company is seeing softer game sales caused in part by higher storage costs tied to chip shortages, pricing strategies, and a relative lack of must-have titles. Nintendo is also embroiled in a trade dispute with the US government over tariffs it believes were unfairly applied, seeking substantial refunds.
The EU’s right-to-repair battery regulation impacts far beyond gaming consoles, covering nearly all portable battery-powered devices such as smartphones, laptops, earbuds, and headphones. Tech companies across the board are adjusting designs to meet these standards well before the February 2027 deadline.
This regulatory push could mark a turning point for repair friendliness in consumer electronics. If adopted more broadly outside Europe, it might influence a new baseline for device design worldwide, potentially easing repair hassles that have long frustrated users.