Nintendo's Switch 2 Gets Replaceable Battery for EU

Your gaming console just got a longer lifespan, thanks to a powerful new law in Europe.

Nintendo is redesigning its upcoming Switch 2 console with a user-replaceable battery to comply with EU right-to-repair regulations that took effect in 2023. According to Nikkei, the new Joy-Con 2 controllers will also get the same treatment, allowing users to swap out lithium-ion batteries themselves.

The EU regulation gives companies until 2027 to make these changes to portable electronics. The goal is simple: keep perfectly good devices out of landfills just because their batteries wear out.

Right now, this redesigned console is only planned for Europe. However, if other countries adopt similar policies, Nintendo could expand the battery-friendly design to more regions.

The Ripple Effect

This EU legislation is already changing how tech giants design their products. Apple recently modified newer iPhones to make battery replacement easier for consumers. Sony is rumored to be updating its DualSense PS5 controllers for the same reason.

The impact goes beyond just one console generation. The original Switch may stop being sold in the EU by the end of 2027 unless Nintendo redesigns that older device too.

For gamers everywhere, this represents a shift toward more sustainable electronics. When your device's battery dies after years of use, you won't need technical skills or expensive repairs to keep playing. You'll simply replace the battery and keep going.

The timing comes during a big week for Nintendo, with the Switch receiving a software update for better handheld graphics and Pokémon Pokopia capturing global attention.

Nintendo hasn't officially commented on these reports yet, but the message is clear: right-to-repair laws are pushing companies to build products that last longer and waste less.