Nintendo Confirms a Revised Switch 2 Model Launching Later This Year
Nintendo has confirmed that a revised version of its Switch 2 console is set to arrive later this year. The company launched the Switch 2 last year, and the early community reaction was strong—so strong, in fact, that the hybrid home console/handheld quickly sold through during its launch window. Even with ongoing economic pressure felt around the world, the Switch 2 has clearly been a major success for Nintendo.
Europe Gets a Revised Switch 2 Model Later This Year
Nintendo has a history of rolling out hardware updates across its platforms, and the Switch 2 follows that pattern. While Nintendo hasn’t announced a fully transformative, global overhaul for the system yet, it is introducing a new revision specifically for Europe.
Switch 2 has already made its own kind of gaming history for Nintendo, but it’s unlikely fans will be celebrating this particular milestone for very long.
What Changes: Battery Compliance and Small Hardware Tweaks
Nintendo says the revised Switch 2 will launch in Europe later this year, with a target window in the fall. The update is being implemented to meet Europe’s updated battery rules. Under the new setup, the revised Switch 2 includes a battery that is 1% smaller and designed to be user-replaceable. Nintendo also says the included Joy-Con 2 controllers will use user-replaceable batteries as part of the same compliance effort.
On top of the battery changes, Nintendo states the revised Switch 2 will weigh 10g more than the current model. At the time of writing, Nintendo has not shared images of the updated hardware.
Nintendo’s battery-driven revision may be the most visible change tied to Europe’s new regulations, but it isn’t the only product getting updated.
- Revised Switch 2 launches in Europe later this year, aiming for a fall release
- Designed to comply with Europe’s new battery regulations
- Includes a battery that is 1% smaller and user-replaceable
- Bundled Joy-Con 2 controllers will also have user-replaceable batteries
- Weighs 10g more than the current model
- Nintendo has not published official images of the new unit yet
More Controller Updates, Then a Price Increase in the US
Nintendo is also preparing additional hardware revisions beyond the revised Switch 2 console itself. This winter, the company plans to release an updated Switch 2 Pro Controller featuring a replaceable battery. Moving into the early part of 2027, updated wireless controller versions for Nintendo 64 and GameCube are expected.
Specific dates for these updates haven’t been provided yet, but Nintendo indicates that release timing should become clearer as those windows get closer. Importantly, Nintendo hasn’t announced any plans to expand these hardware changes outside Europe at this time, though it’s considered likely that additional revisions will appear later.
- Winter: new Switch 2 Pro Controller with a replaceable battery
- Early 2027: updated wireless Nintendo 64 and GameCube controllers
- Exact release dates are expected to be revealed closer to their respective windows
- No confirmed plans yet to roll these hardware changes out beyond Europe
Nintendo has previously released multiple versions of the original Switch, including both the handheld-only Switch Lite and the more premium Switch OLED. Those revisions were successful, and the company is expected to use a similar strategy with the Switch 2 over time.
However, the RAM situation and other contributing factors have led Nintendo to increase the Switch 2’s price. That means even if further models are coming, fans may have to wait before they see new options outside the Europe-focused revision later this year.
In the United States, the Switch 2 becomes more expensive starting September 1. Nintendo is raising the price to $499.99. The trade-off is that buyers will receive a free game with their purchase—either Mario Kart World, Pokemon Pokopia, or Donkey Kong Bananza.
While it’s still disappointing to see console hardware costs climb as a generation progresses rather than drop, Nintendo is at least adding value for prospective buyers by bundling that free title.
Holiday Plans: Zelda Remake and More Exclusives
Nintendo is also preparing a push during the holiday season. The Switch 2 will be getting the highly anticipated Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake in the fall. In addition to that, Nintendo says multiple other major first-party exclusive games will arrive between now and the holidays.
