Nintendo support articles show inside new Switch Joy-Cons with removable battery
Nintendo has introduced new Joy-Con controllers for the Switch that feature a removable battery, according to support documentation discovered by enthusiasts. The updated controllers are currently being sold in Europe to comply with European Union battery regulations, which increasingly mandate that consumer devices include replaceable or easily removable batteries.
The revelation came through Nintendo’s support pages rather than an official announcement, indicating the change was implemented quietly to meet regulatory requirements. The removable battery design addresses growing EU requirements around battery accessibility and device repairability, part of broader regulatory efforts to reduce electronic waste and extend device lifespans.
This development aligns with evolving regulatory trends across Europe that prioritize consumer rights and environmental sustainability. The EU has implemented increasingly stringent requirements for device repairability and battery replaceability, allowing users to replace batteries without requiring professional service or disassembling the device.
The region-specific rollout suggests Nintendo is adapting its hardware manufacturing to meet localized regulatory requirements. It remains unclear whether this change will extend to Joy-Con sales in other markets like North America and Japan, or whether the removable battery feature will become standard across all future Switch Joy-Con production.