EU Rule Could Force Nintendo to Make Switch 2 Batteries Replaceable

In 2023 the European Union approved a law that will require portable electronic devices sold in the bloc to have replaceable batteries from February 2027. The measure is intended to counter planned obsolescence and is part of a wider Right to Repair push in Europe; it does not cover mobile phones and tablets but would catch Nintendo’s new hybrid console.

Japanese outlet Nikkei, relayed by Nintendo Everything, says Nintendo plans to change the Switch 2’s specifications so consumers can easily swap the battery. The same change could extend to Joy‑Cons, addressing worn or damaged batteries, and the rules specify the process must be simple and not blocked by software.

Because it can be cheaper to build a single model for multiple markets, Nintendo could choose to roll the replaceable‑battery design out beyond the EU. The law also opens the possibility of carrying spare or third‑party batteries for longer trips or to restore full capacity quickly.

European Union

eu law, replaceable batteries, nintendo, switch 2, right-to-repair, joy con, planned obsolescence, nikkei, spare batteries, february 2027