Nintendo is building an improved Switch 2 version that’s EU-only – Nekkei claims

Nintendo’s building an improved Switch 2 version that’s EU-only – Nekkei claims

According to a report from Nekkei, Nintendo has plans to release an improved Switch 2 console version in the EU that features improved repairability. This change will allow the console to comply with the EU’s Regulation 2023/1542, which says the following;

Any natural or legal person that places on the market products incorporating portable batteries shall ensure that those batteries are readily removable and replaceable by the end-user at any time during the lifetime of the product.

– EU’s Regulation 2023/1542

The law will not take effect until February 18th 2027, and mandates that users should be able to remove the batteries of their devices with relative ease. As it stands, Switch 2 batteries are challenging to remove. IFIXIT called the battery “aggressively glued in” during their Switch 2 teardown. Their teardown required them to use “a full suite of pry tools and generous amounts of isopropyl alcohol” to remove the console’s battery. Simply put, this does not comply with the EU’s upcoming regulations.

For now, it looks like non-EU regions won’t see changes to Nintendo’s Switch 2 design, at least initially. However, this could change if the consumers call for a change in large enough volumes.

Nintendo is aligning its “right to repair” policy with the Nintendo Switch 2 game console to reduce its environmental impact. First, in accordance with European Union (EU) legislation, the company will modify the console’s specifications to allow consumers to easily replace the battery. In the future, Nintendo may also implement similar policies in Japan and the United States if consumer awareness of the right to repair increases.

– Nikkei

(Images from IFIXIT)

The new EU version of the Nintendo Switch 2 should feature easier-to-remove batteries for both the console and its Joy-Con 2 controllers. Note that these changes may not require Nintendo to alter the external aesthetics of its systems. The EU is not mandating hot-swappable batteries for all devices. The law only requires the batteries to be “readily removable and replaceable”.

Overall, this is a positive change for gamers, at least in Europe. Having more repairable hardware is a good thing, especially when hardware shortages have made new products increasingly expensive.

You can join the discussion on Nintendo’s improved European Switch 2 version on the OC3D Forums.