New Nintendo Switch 2 console model to be released only in Europe claims report

A battery switch (Nintendo)

A report claims Nintendo is being forced to launch a new Switch 2 in response to EU legislation, to comply with right to repair laws.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been in the wild for almost a year, and while some might be waiting for the inevitable Lite version before laying down the cash, Nintendo is apparently planning another revision before that.

However, this revision will be more subtle and considerably less exciting than normal. According to Japanese outlet Nikkei, Nintendo is being forced to modify the design of the Switch 2 to allow consumers to replace the console’s battery if they need to.

This is in response to European Union legislation, which was first announced back in July 2023, as part of the right to repair movement, in a bid reduce waste. While it’s claimed this revision will be targeted at Europe specifically, it’s speculated Nintendo could make these changes to consoles in the Japan and US too, if awareness increases.

According to reports, this legislation requires all consumer electronics in the EU to have replaceable batteries by 2027, so this revised console could be rolled out before the end of the year.

The UK isn’t part of the European Union, but as we get the same consoles and games as the rest of Europe, it’s likely we’ll get this new revision as well.

It’s unclear what this could mean for the original Switch, which also has its battery housed within the console’s shell and isn’t easily accessed without special tools. It’s possible that could get a revision as well, but considering it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, Nintendo might try and get away without changing that.

If the revision is just a battery adjustment, Nintendo may not even market it as a new model. Although in 2019, Nintendo did something similar for the original Switch, where it improved the battery life and made other minor adjustments.

Nintendo has not announced any official revisions, so take this with a pinch of salt for now, but the EU law is certainly real. If anything, it raises the question of why they didn’t look to address this in the first place, since they would’ve already know about if for some time.

Curiously there is already a Japanese-only version of the Switch 2, which is considerably cheaper than in the West, at the equivalent of £235, and was created to compensate for the current low value of the yen.

If Nintendo releases a new model for Europe then that will mean that, quite unintentionally, each of the three major markets will have their own separate versions of the console.

The Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console ever, and while its outpacing the original Switch, its sales have slowed down over the past few months.

But when is the Lite model coming? (Nintendo)

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