The Nintendo Switch 2 was released in 2025 and is expected to get a new version in Europe soon. The EU and its laws are said to be the reason for this.
What is this new Switch 2? According to experts from the Japanese magazine nikkei.com, Nintendo is currently working on a new version of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The next variant of the console is expected to differ in design from the previous one and include a replaceable battery. This new version is supposed to be easier to repair.
The new Switch 2 is supposed to allow everyone to replace their battery themselves without technical knowledge. However, it seems that Nintendo is not doing this entirely voluntarily.
Here you can see what the Switch 2 looks like now:
New version only in the EU
Why is there supposed to be this new version? That Nintendo is already working on a new version less than a year after the launch of their console is likely not voluntary. As experts explain, Nintendo has to comply with the new European Battery Regulation in the EU (via europa.eu).
This regulation requires companies to design their products in such a way that users can easily replace the battery without special tools by 2027 (Source: prodlaw.eu). Owners of the console will be able to simply replace the battery of the new Switch 2 should it cause issues.
This significantly reduces repair costs, as a professional is no longer needed for the battery exchange in the best case.
What about other countries? That Nintendo is not entirely voluntarily implementing these laws is shown by another assessment from experts. They explain that Nintendo intends to deliver the “new” Switch 2 only in Europe for the time being.
Customers in Japan and America, however, will reportedly be supplied only when “consumer awareness of their right to repair increases,” according to Nikkei.com. It seems that Nintendo itself is not interested in making its console easier to repair for players.
Whether this will actually happen or if Nintendo will decide to equip the whole world with their improved Switch 2 remains to be seen.
That Nintendo has to modify its Switch 2 shortly after launch is, in this case, only to the advantage of all buyers. A replaceable battery is a great benefit for buyers and ultimately keeps some devices from going to waste. With the Switch 2, one could become really rich: A “Money Glitch” provided endless money in real life; you just had to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 and sell it again immediately
