Report Says Nintendo Is Preparing a Europe-First Removable-Battery Switch 2 Revision

A current r/gamernews thread is drawing attention to a hardware report that could make Nintendo's next refresh more about regulation than raw performance. IGN, citing Japanese newspaper Nikkei, says Nintendo is developing an updated Switch 2 model for Europe with a removable battery.

The reported change would not stop at the console shell. IGN says the revised unit would also ship with new Joy-Con 2 controllers whose lithium-ion batteries can be removed and replaced. That matters because the European Union's right-to-repair rules are pushing consumer electronics makers toward designs that make battery replacement more practical for ordinary users rather than locked behind difficult disassembly or premium service channels.

What the report claims

Nintendo is preparing an updated Switch 2 model with a removable battery.

New versions of Joy-Con 2 would also allow battery replacement.

The revised hardware is expected to launch in Europe first.

The regional focus is linked to EU right-to-repair requirements, with companies required to comply by February 2027.

The important caveat is that this remains a report, not a public Nintendo announcement. There is no official product page, price, or launch timing beyond the idea that Europe would get the revised version first. Even so, the story is significant because it shows how hardware roadmaps are increasingly shaped by repair law, not just cost targets or annual upgrade cycles. For handheld systems especially, battery wear is one of the most common long-term complaints, so easier replacement could have a direct effect on lifespan and resale value.

If the report proves accurate, Nintendo would be following the same broader industry direction already visible in other devices that have become easier to open and service. For players, the practical takeaway is simple: a future Switch 2 revision may be defined less by a new chip or display and more by whether owners can keep the system running longer without replacing the whole device.