Starting this summer, the Japanese company will begin to take steps to meet the new European Union regulation which will come into force at the beginning of 2027. This regulation requires that electronic devices allow users to change batteries easily, without having to depend on official technical services, something that has caught the video game industry in the middle of a transition process.
Nintendo has confirmed that it will release revised versions of both its core hardware and accessories to ensure its products can continue to be sold in Europe. While this might seem complicated, the company has made it clear that There will be no functional differences. between the models we already know and these new versions, so the gaming experience should be exactly the same.
Minor physical changes to the main console
The revised Nintendo Switch 2 model is scheduled to hit store shelves this fall. To accommodate the new eject system, the console has had to sacrifice a little lightness, increasing its weight to 411 grams, which is barely ten grams more than the model At launch. It's nothing to get worked up about, since in hand the difference will be practically imperceptible to most players.
As for battery life, the new internal battery will be 5172 mAh, a figure that represents a decrease of just 1% compared to the original capacity. This modification is necessary to fit the modular mechanism inside the console chassis. Distribution of these units will be phased in throughout Spain and the rest of the European Union, coexisting with the current stock until it is completely sold out in stores.
Controllers and remotes under the new standard
Accessories are not left out of this renewal plan. The new Joy-Con 2 controllers with replaceable batteries will arrive in winter, increasing their weight by a couple of grams each, but maintaining its load capacity intactMeanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will undergo a more noticeable change, as its battery capacity will decrease to 897 mAh (16% less). However, in return, the controller will be about 7 grams lighter, which could be beneficial for long gaming sessions and help avoid issues such as... Hall Effect technology as a solution to controller drift.
Even nostalgic gamers who still use classic Nintendo 64 and GameCube controllers will see updated versions in early 2027. Interestingly, the GameCube controller for the new console will benefit from this process, as it will achieve a 5% increase in its autonomy reaching 525 mAh. Nintendo will sell official replacement kits in its online store, making it easy for anyone to give their peripherals a second life when the battery starts to weaken.
The end of an era for the original Switch
A very important detail that the company has confirmed is that this update will not be coming to the original Switch family. Neither the standard Switch, nor the Lite, nor the OLED model will receive a revision with a removable battery. Because of this, Nintendo has announced that will stop selling the original Switch in Europe from mid-February 2027. Until then, they will continue to be manufactured and distributed as normal, but once that date has passed, only the new generation will occupy the shop windows.
This move towards more sustainable and user-repairable hardware represents a significant shift in mindset within the industry. While it may mean sacrificing a few milligrams of weight or some capacity in the Pro Controller, the possibility of buy official spare parts directly It guarantees that we won't have to resort to external technical services or homemade fixes when the battery's lifespan comes to an end, thus extending the time we can enjoy our favorite consoles.