Nintendo announces new product revisions in Europe with replaceable batteries
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Nintendo will release European product revisions with user-replaceable batteries starting summer 2026.
Starting summer 2026, Nintendo will replace select European products with versions containing user-replaceable batteries, in preparation for EU battery regulations effective February 2027. Affected products include Joy-Con pairs, the Nintendo Switch 2 console (autumn, battery 5172mAh vs 5220mAh), Joy-Con 2 controllers, Switch 2 Pro Controller (winter, battery 897mAh vs 1070mAh), N64 and GameCube controllers (early 2027). No functional difference. Products not revised include the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, OLED Model, and original Switch Pro Controller; these will stop being sold on Nintendo Store after February 2027. Battery replacement kits will be sold separately.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly praise the EU regulation as a win for consumer rights and e-waste reduction, though some criticize its inconvenience for developers. Many note that Nintendo could offer replaceable batteries globally, but likely won't due to margin and logistics. Some argue that non-replaceable batteries are worse for consumers and the environment, while others point out that most batteries are replaceable with effort, and that swappable designs can compromise capacity or form factor. A few downplay the regulation's importance.