The new feature will be rolled out gradually for the Switch 2’s detachable Joy-Con controllers sold in the EU, Nikkei Asia reports, ahead of the bloc’s new rules coming into force. But we don’t know when or if gamers in the US will get the feature.
Nintendo is reportedly set to release a new version of the Switch 2 in the EU that will allow users to replace their own batteries for the first time.
The gaming giant’s move comes ahead of an article of the bloc’s Batteries Regulation coming into force in February 2027. which requires manufacturers to design devices with easy-to-replace batteries, citing environmental concerns.
Up until now, gamers were forced to take their Switches to an authorized Nintendo Repair Center in the case of a battery malfunction, and attempting a self-replacement could void a user’s warranty. This feature could also come in handy for a lot more than just doing repairs—for example, popping out your replacement battery on a long-haul flight and going from 1% to 100% battery in moments.
The new feature will be rolled out gradually for the Switch 2’s detachable Joy-Con controllers sold in the EU, Nikkei Asia reports. Unfortunately, we don’t know when or if the feature will make its way to gamers in North America or Japan. In the past, we’ve seen manufacturers like Apple roll out USB-C charging ports, replacing their old Lightning chargers worldwide in response to EU legislation, but nothing has been confirmed.
Though the US hasn’t passed anything like the EU’s battery regulation, more and more states have signed “right to repair” legislation in recent years, including Oregon, California, Minnesota, and New York.
