The $30 million toe in the water

Nintendo plans to make the Switch 2 battery more easily replaceable, a move that addresses long-standing criticism over the console's repairability. The change aims to reduce waste and comply with EU rules by 2027.

The announcement comes after the Switch 2 received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, which cited the heavy use of adhesive to hold the battery in place as a major obstacle for users attempting to perform their own repairs.

Nintendo's updated document outlines its compliance with new EU regulations aimed at reducing battery waste and ensuring that end users can easily replace batteries themselves.

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The regulations, which must be met before February 18, 2027, require manufacturers to design products with user-replaceable batteries. as a result, Nintendo is preparing new versions of the Switch 2 that will feature a more accessible battery system.

These updated consoles will be released in all 27 EU member states, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, and others. To help consumers identify the compliant versions, the company will add an OSM moniker to the model number and adjust the starting segment of the model codes.

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Unfortunately, this enhanced repairability is unlikely to extend to non-EU regions, as similar regulations are not in place elsewhere.. For now, if Switch 2 owners outside the EU encounter battery issues, they may still need to send their consoles to Nintendo for repair.

Common problems, such as the dreaded drifting joystick, could become easer to address in the EU with the new design, potentially allowing users to replace the battery at home without professional assistance.

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The news has been welcomed by consumer rights advocates and environmental groups who argue that easier battery replacement extends the lifespan of electronic devices and reduuces electronic waste.

Nintendo's decision reflects a broader industry trend toward sustainability and user-empowerment, though critics note that the company could have implemented these changes globally.

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As the EU deadline approaches, gamers,repair enthusiasts, and environmentalists will be watching closely to see how Nintendo integrates these regulations into its hardware design and whether other regions might eventually benefit from similar upgrades.

For now, the promise of a more replaceable battery in the Switch 2 marks a positive step for the console's repairability, even if it is limited to Europe.