It hasn’t even reached its first birthday, but the Nintendo Switch 2 already has a new version in the works. We’re not talking about a more powerful model with advanced graphics, but rather a European market variant that would come with a replaceable battery. It’s not exactly a substantial change, but it is precisely what Nintendo and many other tech companies must do to comply with a European Union regulation.
According to sources from the Japanese outlet Nikkei, Nintendo is planning to distribute a new Switch 2 model in Europe whose only novelty would be the aforementioned replaceable battery. Although the version is designed to adapt to the EU’s new policies, a global distribution is not ruled out “if consumer awareness of their right to repair increases.”
A Model Designed for EU Regulation 2023/1542
The whole move stems from EU Regulation 2023/1542 approved by the European Parliament, which establishes new requirements for batteries and accumulators, directly addressing topics of sustainability, safety, labeling, marking, and information. Broadly speaking, the most relevant aspect is the shift from a general classification to a more detailed and functional typology of such components, with new categories, specific obligations for producers and distributors, and additional requirements.
What affects Nintendo and many other companies in the technology sector is that EU Regulation 2023/1542 introduces the obligation that all products with portable batteries must be designed so that consumers can easily remove or replace them. The requirement, along with the rest of the policies linked to the European directive, will come into force in 2027, and all signs point to Nintendo preparing its new Switch 2 model to comply with the regulation from day one.
However, it is important to note that Nintendo has not issued any official statement to announce the distribution of the new Switch 2 version. For now, everything we know about the model is based on Nikkei‘s sources, so we will have to wait for confirmation from the Japanese company to learn more about how the battery of its hybrid console will be removable.
Source: 3djuegos
