Nintendo may release Switch 2 and controllers with replaceable batteries outside Europe

Lineup update due to regulatory requirements

Due to new European legislative requirements, Nintendo was forced to revise the design of its devices and accessories, ensuring easy battery replacement. These changes affected the Switch 2 console, Switch 2 Pro Controller, Joy-Con, as well as N64 and GameCube retro controllers.

Initially, it was believed that such revisions would remain exclusive to the European market. However, fresh registration documents discovered by the Nintendo Patents Watch resource hint at a broader release.

New certifications in Canada and Japan

Nintendo is actively updating wireless certificates outside Europe, which may indicate preparations for global sales of the updated revisions:

• The updated Japanese wireless certificate for the GameCube controller (model BEE-021) received an additional "(-01)" index.
• The Canadian certificate for the N64 controller (HAC-043(-01)) was successfully approved.
• The "(-01)" index is already used to designate revisions with battery replacement capability, in particular the European Switch 2 model (BEE-001(-01)).
• The Switch 2 itself with a new modification also officially appeared in Canada's radio equipment list, joining the Joy-Con 1/2 and Pro Controller 2.

Obtaining international certificates does not provide a 100% guarantee, but Nintendo would hardly register new modifications in Canada and Japan without intending to distribute them outside the EU. It is quite likely that the Japanese giant decided to unify global hardware manufacturing.