Nintendo has begun rolling out revised Joy-Cons with user-replaceable batteries in Europe, with an updated Switch 2 model arriving this autumn.
Nintendo hardware is getting easier to keep alive — at least in Europe.
The company has started replacing selected products with revised versions that contain user-replaceable batteries, beginning with certain Joy-Con colors on July 16, 2026. A revised Nintendo Switch 2 console is expected this autumn, followed by updated Joy-Con 2 controllers and a revised Switch 2 Pro Controller in winter.
The change is being made ahead of new European battery regulations scheduled to take effect in mid-February 2027.
The first revised Joy-Cons are already rolling out
Nintendo says selected colors of the original Switch Joy-Con pair will transition at different times throughout the year, beginning with Neon Blue and Neon Red configurations.
The revised controllers keep the same battery capacity and weight. The main difference is access: the battery is designed to be replaced by the user rather than treated as a sealed component that effectively ends the controller's useful life when it degrades.
Availability will vary by country and retailer, so a box on a shelf may still contain the current design during the transition. Nintendo's timeline lists the earliest expected availability through its own European store, not a guarantee that every location changes on the same day.
The Switch 2 revision arrives this autumn
The revised Switch 2 will contain a 5,172mAh battery, approximately 1% smaller than the current 5,220mAh unit. Nintendo says the console itself will weigh about 411 grams, roughly 10 grams more than the current version.
With the included revised Joy-Con 2 controllers attached, the complete system is expected to weigh approximately 548 grams, around 14 grams heavier than the current configuration.
Nintendo says there is no functional difference between the current and revised products beyond the battery-related construction. That means this is not a performance upgrade, “Pro” model, or reason to replace a working Switch 2.
More controller revisions follow in winter
Revised Joy-Con 2 controllers are scheduled for winter. Their battery capacity will remain unchanged, while each controller gains roughly two grams of weight.
A revised Switch 2 Pro Controller is also expected in winter. Nintendo's published specification shows a smaller battery than the current version, another reminder that easier replacement can come with slight tradeoffs in capacity or chassis design.
Nintendo also plans battery replacement kits through Nintendo Store Europe. Those kits will matter because “user-replaceable” only helps when official parts, instructions, and safe access remain available after launch.
This is a repairability win, even with limits
Rechargeable batteries are consumable parts. Their maximum capacity declines over years of charging, heat, storage, and use. When the battery is sealed inside a controller, a small aging component can turn an otherwise functional product into electronic waste.
A replaceable design gives owners a better chance to extend the life of expensive hardware. It can also reduce the need to mail a device away or pay for a full replacement when the underlying problem is only the battery.
The limitation is regional. Nintendo's announcement specifically covers European revisions made for upcoming European regulations. The company has not announced the same rollout for every market.
Older Switch models face a European transition
Nintendo says the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED are not being revised under this program. The company expects to stop offering those current designs in Europe after the regulations take effect in mid-February 2027.
That does not mean existing consoles will stop working. It means Nintendo is changing what it plans to sell in the region once the new requirements apply.
TGS takeaway
This is not flashy hardware news, but it is meaningful ownership news. A console or controller that can survive its first worn battery is more valuable than one designed around a sealed expiration date.
The ideal next step would be a global standard: the same replaceable design, replacement parts, and instructions in every region. Until Nintendo confirms that, European buyers are getting the clearest benefit.