Nintendo to introduce EU-specific Switch 2 with replaceable batteries by 2027
The Japanese gaming giant confirms it is preparing distinct console units for the European market to meet new mandates, while details on technical changes and global availability remain unclear.
Nintendo has confirmed that it will release specific versions of the Switch 2 console in the European Union featuring user-replaceable batteries. The move is designed to ensure compliance with new EU regulations that mandate portable game consoles allow users to easily remove and replace their power sources. The compliant hardware is scheduled for availability by February 2027, coinciding with the enforcement date of the rules.
According to a statement on its website, the company is “implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation.” Nintendo noted that these future compliant units will carry unique model numbers and an additional code ‘OSM’ visible on packaging. This designation identifies them as separate products for regulatory purposes, distinguishing them from current models which begin with the ‘BEE’ moniker found in filings with the US Federal Communications Commission.
The new mandate, set to take effect on 18 February 2027, requires that many types of gadgets, including portable game consoles, allow for relatively easy battery removal and replacement. This regulatory shift is contributing to a broader resurgence of devices with user-replaceable batteries across the consumer electronics sector. Currently, replacing the battery in the existing Switch 2 model involves an involved, multi-step process, as demonstrated by repair specialists at iFixit.
Nintendo did not specify the exact technical changes it will implement to facilitate easier battery replacement in the new EU version. The company also did not clarify whether the revised model with a replaceable battery will be available in regions outside the European Union. When approached for comment regarding these details, Nintendo did not immediately reply.
It remains unknown whether Switch 2 controllers, including the Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, will also feature user-replaceable batteries. While these accessories also carry the ‘BEE’ moniker, Nintendo has not confirmed if the new battery rules will extend to these peripheral devices. The company’s current focus appears to be on meeting the specific regulatory obligations for the main console hardware within the EU market.
