Switch 2 to get a replaceable battery version for the EU
Nintendo is preparing a version of the Switch 2 that lets users swap the battery themselves, a move aimed at complying with European Union regulations. The news comes after a recent software update that added a Handheld Mode Boost feature to the console, improving performance for games designed for the original Switch.
Why this is happening
A report from Nikkei says Nintendo is adjusting the Switch 2 hardware to align with the EU's 2023 right to repair rules. Those rules require handheld gaming devices to feature replaceable batteries by 2027. Since the current-generation Switch is expected to remain on sale past that date, Nintendo needs a compliant model to keep selling in Europe.
What this could mean
- EU compliance: Nintendo will offer a Switch 2 model with an easy-to-replace battery so it meets the 2027 deadline.
- Original Switch: The original Switch might be pulled from the European market if Nintendo does not provide a replaceable-battery version of that console.
- Other regions: Nintendo could bring the replaceable-battery design to Japan and the United States if right to repair awareness grows in those markets.
Other tidbits
Meanwhile, more Switch-related announcements have surfaced. THQ Nordic plans to bring several games to the Nintendo Switch family of consoles, and the director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade has said the Switch 2 edition is not a direct port of the PlayStation 4 release. Expect official word from Nintendo before any final decisions or launch details.
What do you think about a replaceable battery for the Switch 2? Drop your thoughts in the comments when the official announcement arrives.
