Nintendo could end up redesigning the Switch 2 in Europe, not by choice, but because of new regulations.

Reports suggest the company is working on a European version with user-replaceable batteries. That would cover the main console, and could extend to the controllers if the changes are applied more widely.

Manufacturers have until February 2027 to meet these rules. The changes are tied to EU rules introduced in 2023, requiring certain devices to allow battery replacement without using specialized tools.

The Switch 2, like most handheld devices, uses a sealed battery. This keeps the console compact and sturdy. But this also means that the console is not made to be opened and fixed at home.

Changing that would mean adjusting the device inside out. These adjustments could affect the device’s entire structure.

Nintendo may need to manage multiple hardware versions across regions if the changes are confirmed. This could complicate supply chains and repair processes worldwide.

Right now, these changes seem limited to Europe, but they could spread to other regions if rules get stricter or if more people start expecting devices to be easier to repair.

The bigger issue, however, is not just what happens to the Switch 2, but what this means for the industry as a whole.

A Bigger Shift: Regulation Is Starting to Reshape Gaming Hardware

Gaming hardware typically uses sealed design as it is easier to build around performance and efficiency.

With the new EU rules, the companies are being pushed to make the devices easy to repair as well. This is different from previous designs and more difficult to implement.

Different hardware versions for each region are not practical. Companies usually end up consolidating around one design, so rules in one market start affecting products more broadly.

Fujifilm has already started using replaceable batteries in some of its devices. Apple has also been working to make batteries easier to access in newer iPhones.

For the companies, this comes with its own set of problems. Less room for design experiments, issues with durability, and the manufacturing structure. Devices, on the other hand, would likely last longer and be easier to fix.

Put together, this points toward a larger shift, where hardware design is no longer shaped only by engineering, but also influenced by regulation.

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav