The video game industry in Europe is about to undergo a profound structural change. Nintendo has officially made its move to adapt their hardware to the legislative requirements of the European Union, confirming that the expected Nintendo Switch 2 will have a version with a removable battery Focused on sustainability, this move responds to the need to offer more accessible components to the end user, allowing machine maintenance to be less dependent on official technical service.
The rollout of these new versions will not be all at once; instead, the Japanese company has outlined a phased launch plan which will begin this summer and will last until early 2027. Although Spain is confirmed among the markets that will receive these modified models, the transition will also mark the end of an era for the current console family, whose days are numbered on European shelves to comply with new consumption and repairability standards.
The European legal framework and the new battery standard
This entire movement stems from Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, a regulation approved by the European Parliament that requires electronic devices to allow Remove and replace your batteries with ease. Nintendo, like any manufacturer operating in the region, must comply before February 2027. Therefore, the Big N has decided to get ahead of the curve to ensure its new generation is fully legally protected, introducing mechanisms that allow the battery compartment to be opened without the need for complex tools or processes that would void the warranty.
The implementation of this system has required the engineers in Kyoto to make minor adjustments to the console's internal components. According to official technical specifications, the revised version of the Nintendo Switch 2 will arrive in stores in Spain and the rest of Europe. next fallThere will be no changes to the raw power or functions of the machine, so the gaming experience will be identical to the launch model, although we will find small variations in the weight and energy capacity figures that should be taken into account before making a purchase.
The company's technical support team wanted to make it clear that these changes are exclusive to the European territoryWhile the original sealed design will continue to be sold in other regions, stores in our country will be gradually replacing their stock. In fact, users won't be able to choose between one version or the other on the Nintendo Store; as the older units run out, the newer revisions with modular batteries will simply take their place.
Technical specifications and changes in autonomy
If we get into the realm of numbers, the new Nintendo Switch 2 will feature a 5.172mAh battery capacityThis represents a drop of approximately 1% compared to the 5.220 mAh of the original model. This adjustment, although minimal, is accompanied by an increase in the device's weight, which will now weigh 411 grams compared to the current 401 grams. With the controllers attached, the total weight will reach a total weight of 548 grams, a difference of 14 grams that we will hardly notice in long portable gaming sessions.
Peripherals are not being left behind in this transformation. The brand's planned schedule details the following adjustments to the accessories ecosystem:
- Joy-Con 2 controllers: They will arrive in winter with a slightly higher weight (about 2 grams extra per controller) but maintaining the same autonomy.
- Switch Pro Controller 2: This is perhaps the most notable modification, as its battery will be reduced by 16%, going from 1.070 mAh to 897 mAh, although in return it will be 7 grams lighter.
- Retro controllers: The adapted Nintendo 64 and GameCube versions will arrive in early 2027, with the GameCube controller increasing its energy capacity by 5%.
To facilitate this home maintenance process, Nintendo has confirmed that it will put on sale official spare parts kits through their online store. Although the prices of these individual batteries haven't been made public yet, the idea is that any gamer can extend the lifespan of their console without having to send it to the official service center when the original cell starts to degrade over time. It's a measure that, while stemming from a legal requirement, ultimately benefits consumers' wallets in the long run.
The farewell to the current generation in stores
The other side of this news is the confirmation of the discontinuation of the original Switch family. Nintendo has decided not to invest resources in redesigning the standard Switch, the Lite, or the OLED model to comply with the new law. As a direct consequence, from mid-February 2027These consoles will no longer be officially sold in Europe. It's a rather decisive way to close a cycle that will have lasted almost a decade, definitively pushing users towards the new ecosystem of the successor.
This transition doesn't mean current consoles will stop working or lose support, as digital services like the eShop and Nintendo Switch Online will remain active. However, for those looking to get a new classic Switch, 2026 will be practically the year to upgrade. the last chance to get stock in official stores. In Spain, the availability of these modified versions of the Switch 2 and its controllers will stabilize as we approach the deadline imposed by Brussels, ensuring that Nintendo's hardware is more sustainable and compliant with current consumer regulations.
The arrival of these models with removable batteries marks a turning point in the company's hardware strategy in Europe, balancing the need to comply with current legislation with maintaining product quality. With slight variations in weight and energy capacity, but with the added advantage of easy home repairs, the new generation of consoles is poised for a long lifespan adapted to modern times. The discontinuation of older models in 2027 will definitively close a historic chapter, paving the way for the new console to become the standard in European homes.
