Nintendo starts shipping user-replaceable batteries in Europe

Nintendo is redesigning for repair. From summer 2026, selected European products begin rolling out with user-replaceable batteries ahead of EU rules that take effect in mid-February 2027. Functionality stays the same; the screws, packs, and service kits change.

First up: revised Joy-Con for the original Switch (model numbers ending in -01) with Phillips screws instead of Y-tips, Neon Blue/Red from the Nintendo Store starting mid-July, more colors later, and an official battery replacement kit to follow. Switch 2 consoles with replaceable packs arrive in autumn — about 1% smaller capacity (5172 vs 5220 mAh) and roughly 10–14 g heavier depending on configuration.

A rolling calendar into 2027

Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller revisions land in winter (Pro pack drops from 1070 to 897 mAh). N64 Switch controllers and GameCube controllers for Switch 2 follow in early 2027. Original Switch, Lite, and OLED keep manufacturing through 2026 in Europe, but the sealed-battery era is ending on Nintendo’s schedule.

For owners, the win is official docs and kits instead of voided warranties. For Nintendo, it’s compliance without gutting play — a quiet hardware story that will define every European SKU on store shelves for years.

Source: Nintendo UK — Battery-related product revisions.