New Nintendo Switch 2 Model to Hit European Shores This Fall

In a move aimed at complying with the European Union’s upcoming battery regulations, Nintendo has announced that its new Switch 2 model will feature user-replaceable batteries.

The updated console, which is set to launch in Europe this fall, will come with a slightly smaller battery pack that can be swapped out by users, making the console slightly heavier than its predecessor.

According to Nintendo, the new battery pack will be 1% smaller than the current one, resulting in a weight increase of 7 grams when attached to the Joy-Con controllers. Without the controllers, the Switch 2 will weigh 9 grams more than its predecessor.

Not only will the Switch 2 console itself feature user-replaceable batteries, but so will its Joy-Con controllers and Pro Controllers. The new Joy-Con controllers will be available for individual purchase starting this winter, while the Pro Controllers will be released with the new battery design.

Retro console controllers, including the Switch’s N64 and GameCube controllers, will also be updated with user-replaceable batteries. The N64 controller will be 1g heavier, and the GameCube controller will be 5g heavier.

Nintendo has assured users that there will be no difference in functionality between the current products and the revised ones with user-replaceable batteries. The company has also announced that battery replacement kits for each product will be available for purchase from the Nintendo Store in Europe in the future.

In preparation for the new regulations, Nintendo will begin replacing its existing Switch products with revised ones containing user-replaceable batteries starting this summer. The first revised products are expected to become available from summer 2026, with additional products becoming available in autumn, winter, and early 2027.

Interestingly, Nintendo has decided not to release a new version of the Switch 1 in Europe, instead opting to withdraw the aging hardware from sale within the region.