Nintendo to Launch Switch 2 With Removable Batteries in Europe
Nintendo will begin a phased rollout of Switch 2 consoles featuring removable batteries in Europe starting in the summer of 2026. The hardware adjustments ensure compliance with new European battery regulations scheduled to take effect in mid-February 2027.
The company announced the transition will begin with updated Joy-Con controllers. A revised Nintendo Switch 2 console bundled with the new removable-battery Joy-Con 2 units will launch in the autumn. Standalone versions of the updated Joy-Con 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will reach retailers in the winter.
The design changes will marginally alter the hardware’s specifications. The removable Switch 2 battery will see its capacity decrease from 5,220 to 5,172 mAh. The console’s weight will increase by 10 grams, rising to a 14-gram increase when the new controllers are attached. The updated Pro Controller will lose 16% of its battery capacity but shed approximately seven grams in weight.
Nintendo confirmed it will not update the original Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED or the first-generation Switch Pro Controller to meet the new standards. The company will halt sales of these legacy devices through its European online store by mid-February 2027.
