Nintendo is updating its European hardware lineup to comply with upcoming European Union battery regulations. The company plans to phase out existing Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models in the region, replacing them with hardware featuring user-replaceable batteries.
The shift from Y-head screws to Phillips hardware
Nintendo is makiing a fundamental mechanical change to its controllers to allow for easier maintenance. As the source reports,the company is replacing the previously used Y-head screws with more standard Phillips cross-head screws on its new Joy-Con models.
This shift is a direct response to the European Union's upcoming 2027 battery regulations , which aim to increase product longevity and consumer repairability. By moving to more common screw types, Nintendo is aligning its hardware with a broader glbal movement toward the "right to repair" standards, ensuring that devices can be serviced without highly specialized tools.
A 13-step procedure for the new Joy-Con battery kits
While the new hardware allows for battery changes, the procedure is not a simple "plug and play" operation. According to the report, replacing a Joy-Con battery will require a 13-step process using an official Nintendo Battery Replacement Kit.
This kit is expected to include several specialized tools, such as plastic tweezers, a spudger, a Phillips screwdriver, and fresh double-sided adhesive. Users will need to remove the rear housing and disconnect battery cables, a process Nintendo has documented through instructional videos and detailed photos to assist consumers in navigating the disassembly.
Replacing the Switch, Lite, and Switch OLED models
The hardware update extends far beyond just the Joy-Con controllers. Nintendo has confirmed it will discontinue sales of the original Switch,Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models across Europe to make room for compliant revisions.
Nintendo is building on the phenomenal success of the Switch 2 and its hybrid console strategy by rolling out these revised products gradually. The update includes the Switch 2 console, the Pro Controller, and several retro controllers, ensuring the entire European ecosystem meets the new legislative standards.
The absence of a specific release date for Joy-Cons
Despite the detailed technical breakdown provided in a recent Nintendo Support article, several logistical details remain unconfirmed.. Specifically, Nintendo has not yet announced a concrete release date for the updated Joy-Con controllers.
The company has indicated that the rollout will be gradual, occurring as current inventory is depleted ahead of the 2027 deadline. It remains unclear exactly when these compliant versions will be available for purchase in European retail stores or how long the transition from old to new inventory will take.
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