Nintendo has officially announced a significant hardware update for its Switch 2 console, slated for release in Europe this autumn. This revision, primarily focused on integrating replaceable batteries, reflects compliance with new European Union regulations. While enhancing user convenience, these changes will introduce slight modifications to device specifications, including minor alterations in battery capacity and overall weight. Several accessories, including Joy-Con 2 controllers and the Pro Controller, will also undergo similar revisions. Conversely, certain older Nintendo products will be phased out of the Nintendo Store by early 2027.
Details of the Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Revision in Europe
Nintendo has confirmed that a revised version of the Switch 2 console, featuring user-replaceable batteries, will be progressively introduced across Europe starting this autumn. This initiative aligns with forthcoming European regulations set to take effect in mid-February 2027, which mandate that consumers must be able to replace batteries in their electronic devices. The updated Switch 2 console will have a battery capacity of 5172mAh, a marginal reduction of approximately 1% compared to the current 5220mAh model. In terms of weight, the console will be slightly heavier, increasing by around 10g to approximately 411g. When paired with the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, which also feature replaceable batteries, the combined weight will be about 548g, an increase of approximately 14g from the existing 534g setup.
Beyond the core console, several other accessories will undergo similar modifications. The Joy-Con 2 controllers will maintain their current battery capacity and weight. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will see a notable change, with its battery capacity decreasing by approximately 16% to 897mAh, making it around 7g lighter at 228g. Conversely, the Nintendo GameCube (GCN) Controller for Switch 2 will experience a 5% increase in battery capacity, reaching 525mAh, and will be marginally heavier by about 5g, totaling 215g. The Nintendo 64 (N64) Controller for Nintendo Switch will also become slightly heavier by 1g, weighing 234g, with no change in battery capacity. These revised accessories are expected to become available at various times, with some Joy-Con pairs appearing from summer, the Joy-Con 2 pair and Pro Controller arriving this winter, and N64 and GameCube controllers in early 2027.
Nintendo has stated that these updated devices will be rolled out gradually, and consumers will not be able to specifically choose between current and revised versions when purchasing from the Nintendo Store. To distinguish between the models, updated products will feature unique model numbers and an 'OSM visible' code on their packaging. The revisions will be available in numerous European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, among others. Meanwhile, several existing products, such as the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch – OLED Model, and various classic console controllers (NES, SNES, SEGA Mega Drive), will be removed from sale on the Nintendo Store after mid-February 2027, marking a shift towards the new, compliant hardware lineup.
This strategic move by Nintendo, driven by regulatory demands, represents a consumer-centric evolution in their product design. While there are minor trade-offs in battery capacity and device weight for some products, the long-term benefit of user-replaceable batteries is substantial. This change empowers consumers with greater longevity and repairability for their devices, aligning with broader sustainability efforts and reducing electronic waste. It also sets a precedent for other regions, potentially influencing global hardware design trends. From a user perspective, the ability to easily swap out a degraded battery will undoubtedly enhance the overall ownership experience, even if it means adapting to slightly heavier or marginally less capacious devices in the interim.
