Nikkei magazine reported that Nintendo is planning to launch a modified version of the Switch 2 in the European Union that allows users to replace batteries themselves. The current version of the device features a non-removable battery that is difficult to replace.
Nikkei clarified that the alteration is meant to meet EU requirements which will come into force in February 2027, mandating portable devices to allow easy battery replacement. The magazine added that the new version will be released "soon," with both the console unit and the Joy-Con controllers equipped with replaceable batteries.
Nikkei noted that the technical specifications of the device will remain the same as in the Japanese market, and Nintendo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Verge.
If this version remains exclusive to the European Union upon its release, it will not be the first of its kind, as other products have previously had versions compliant with local laws only, such as the FujiFilm Instax Mini Link 3 printer, which supports the NP-70S replaceable battery in Europe only.
The report expresses hope that Nintendo will expand the scope of this version to wider markets. The article points out that phone manufacturers have improved their devices' repairability over the years, possibly in response to repair rights legislation, and making gaming devices easier to repair could help extend product lifecycle without incurring costly repairs or complete replacements, especially since generations of home consoles can last nearly a decade.