Nintendo has announced it is creating hardware with replaceable batteries, which presumably will include its Switch consoles, due to new EU regulations tackling electronic waste.
Announced on the official Nintendo Website, the company declared it would follow the EU’s batteries regulation by updating its hardware. This regulation is meant to limit electronic waste caused by devices without easily changeable batteries, by forcing businesses to allow us to easily swap older batteries for new ones.
While the specific Nintendo products affected aren’t listed, one can assume this includes anything with a battery in it. So, the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and the Nintendo Pro Controllers.
The Nintendo website also lists other regulations Nintendo is aligned with, such as one about packaging waste, one about the restriction of hazardous materials – no one wants a toxic leak with their new Nintendo Switch – one about radio equipment, one about low voltage requirements, and one about ecodesign.
So what does this actually mean for you, European reader? It means that starting February 2027, you should be able to go out and buy new versions of Nintendo hardware and be able to swap out batteries at your leisure. How exactly you’ll get a battery for this hardware isn’t clear, but hey, it may save you from feeling the need to buy a whole new Switch when your battery conks out. It’s also good for the environment, which is always nice.