The video game industry in Europe is about to undergo a major structural change. Nintendo has officially taken steps to adapt its hardware to European Union regulations , confirming that the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will have a version with a removable battery, focusing on sustainability. This move responds to the need to offer more accessible components to the end user, allowing console maintenance to be less dependent on official technical support.
The rollout of these new versions won't be all at once; instead, the Japanese company has outlined a phased launch plan that will begin this summer and continue until early 2027. Although Spain is confirmed as one of the markets that will receive these updated 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 energy 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 mandates that electronic devices allow for easy removal and replacement of their batteries . Nintendo, like any manufacturer operating in the region, must comply with this regulation by February 2027. Therefore, the company has decided to get ahead of the curve to ensure its new generation of consoles is fully compliant with the law, 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 this coming autumn . There will be no changes to the raw power or the machine's features, so the gaming experience will be identical to the launch model, although there will be slight variations in weight and energy capacity that are worth considering before making a purchase.
The company's technical support team has clarified that these changes are exclusive to Europe . While the original sealed design will continue to be sold in other regions, stores in Europe will gradually replace their stock. In fact, users will not be able to choose between versions on the Nintendo Store; as the older units run out, the newer versions with modular batteries will be permanently replaced.
Technical specifications and changes in autonomy
Looking at the numbers, the new Nintendo Switch 2 will have a battery capacity of 5.172 mAh , a decrease of approximately 1% compared to the 5.220 mAh of the original model. This adjustment, though 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 548 grams , a difference of 14 grams that will hardly be noticeable during 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 sell official replacement kits through its online store. While the prices of these individual batteries haven't been announced yet, the idea is that any player can extend the lifespan of their console without having to send it to an official service center when the original cell begins to degrade over time. This measure, although mandated by law, ultimately benefits consumers financially in the long run.
The farewell to the current generation in stores
The other side of this news is the confirmation that the original Switch family will no longer be distributed. 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, these consoles will officially cease to be sold in Europe starting in mid-February 2027. It's a rather decisive way to close a chapter that will have lasted almost a decade, definitively pushing users toward the new ecosystem of its 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 wanting a new classic Switch, 2026 will be practically the last chance to find stock at official retailers. In Spain, the availability of these modified versions of the Switch 2 and its controllers will gradually stabilize as we approach the deadline set 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.
