Nintendo is revamping the Switch 2 to allow users to replace the battery on their own.

      A regulation by the EU set to come into effect in 2027 mandates that portable gaming consoles must have user-replaceable batteries, and Nintendo is already working on a version of the Switch 2 that meets this requirement.

      Nintendo is set to introduce a revised Switch 2 in Europe that will allow users to replace the battery without needing to send the console for repair. This decision stems from a new EU regulation that will take effect in February 2027, requiring portable electronic devices, including gaming consoles, to be designed for user-replaceable batteries.

      Why this is more significant than it may seem

      Currently, changing the battery in a standard Switch 2 is quite complicated. It involves partial disassembly, which is not ideal for most users. The EU regulation aims to change this by encouraging manufacturers to create designs that enable an average user to easily remove and replace a depleted battery without any tools or needing to visit a repair shop.

      Nintendo is among the first major console manufacturers to publicly state it is preparing a compliant product, though the company has not provided detailed information yet.

      What Nintendo has confirmed and what remains unclear

      A report from Nikkei in March highlighted that Nintendo was developing a replaceable-battery revision for the EU market and suggested that the Joy-Con controllers would also be updated accordingly. Nintendo has now stated on its website (via The Verge) that it is working on compliant versions of its existing hardware. Future units sold in the EU will feature new model numbers and an “OSM” code on the packaging to differentiate them from the standard consoles, which currently have model numbers starting with “BEE,” as indicated in Nintendo's FCC filings.

      The company did not specify what physical modifications will be made and did not confirm the proposed revisions to the Joy-Con controllers. Additionally, no information is available on whether units with replaceable batteries will be sold outside the EU.

      Nintendo is not the only manufacturer facing this deadline. The EU regulation effective February 2027 applies to a wide array of consumer electronics, including tablets and wireless earbuds, compelling other manufacturers to comply or seek exemptions. For consumers, the clear benefit is the ability to replace a console battery independently, at their convenience, without needing a service appointment.