Nintendo announced that it will release an updated Switch 2 that will make it possible for consumers to safely replace the lithium-ion batteries in both the Switch itself and the Joy-Cons. So far, it seems that Nintendo will only releaase this model in Europe. This is to comply with laws. It's unknown if that option could appear in models worldwide. [Thanks, Nikkei!]This is a response to a regulation from the Council of the European Union. This regulation first appeared in 2023, and it dictates that all new handheld gaming consoles will need to have replaceable batteries by 2027. Sustainability reasons are cited for this new rule. This is because lithium-ion batteries also hold less charge over time and they may expand, which is very dangerous.Currently, Nintendo’s policy is that consumers are not to replace the batteries in a Switch or Switch 2’s console or their Joy-Cons on their own. If you need to replace them for whatever reason, you’ll need to send them in for official repairs. The Nikkei article mentions that maintenance rights fall under general consumer rights. If manufacturers monopolize maintenance, it may lead to consumers needing to buy a new product or pay more for something they could have done themselves or from a cheaper third-party professional. Nintendo has stated that if consumers in Japan and North America also wish to exercise this maintenance right, it may release this updated Switch 2 model in those regions as well.There is no information as of yet in regards to when the Switch 2 model with replaceable batteries will come out in Europe, and the Nikkei article did not mention whether it will cost the same as the default version. To comply with regulations, though, it should come out before 2027.The post Switch 2 With Replaceable Batteries to Appear in Europe appeared first on Siliconera.