Nintendo is set to release a revised model of its Switch 2 console in Europe this fall, incorporating user-replaceable batteries to comply with forthcoming European Union legislation. This change, first reported by Japanese newspaper Nikkei, aims to facilitate easier servicing and extend the lifespan of electronic equipment.
The updated Switch 2 models launching from autumn will feature a slightly smaller (by 1%) replaceable battery in both the console and its accompanying Joy-Con 2 controllers. This modification will result in a modest weight increase, with the console and controllers weighing 548 grams, up from 534 grams, or 411 grams without controllers, an increase from 401 grams.
Further accessory revisions are planned. Joy-Cons sold individually will also gain replaceable batteries starting this winter. New Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controllers will see their battery size reduced by 16%, though they will be 7 grams lighter overall. Additionally, retro console controllers, including the N64 and GameCube variants for the Switch 2, will be updated from early 2027, with the GameCube controller becoming 5 grams heavier and the N64 controller 1 gram heavier.
Notably, Nintendo will not be introducing a new version of the original Switch in Europe. Instead, the aging hardware will be withdrawn from sale within the region. Battery replacement kits for all affected products are expected to be available for purchase from the Nintendo Store in Europe at a later date.
Nintendo stated that the revised products, which begin rolling out from summer 2026, will offer no difference in functionality compared to their current counterparts. The company also noted that revised products may not be available in all European countries simultaneously due to various logistical factors. Nintendo currently offers a Japanese language-only version of the Switch 2 in its domestic market, which is region-locked but otherwise identical in form factor to its international counterparts.