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Nintendogamers have enjoyed one of the strongest periods in the company's long history thanks to the phenomenal success of the Switch 2. Between ongoing support for the original Switch and fresh updates for the Switch 2, Nintendo remains one of the industry's busiest publishers as it looks to build on the success of its hybrid console strategy.
Most recently, the company confirmed updated Switch 2 hardware with user-replaceable batteries for the European market ahead of new EU battery rules taking effect in 2027. At the same time, Nintendo announced it will discontinue sales of the original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED across Europe, replacing them with compliant hardware revisions rather than exiting the market altogether.
And thanks to a new update from Nintendo, fans can take their official first look at the new Joy Con controllers that comply with these new standards in the EU (via GR).
In a quietly released new Nintendo Support article, a comprehensive step-by-step breakdown of the process to replace the Joy Con batteries on select models was provided, showcasing the new hardware featuring Phillips cross-head screws that replace the previously installed Y-heads. The process of replacing your battery on these new Joy Con controllers isn't as straightforward as you might assume, and it's well worth giving the official support article a thorough read before disassembling your new gear when it arrives.
According to the update, replacing a Joy-Con battery is a 13-step process using Nintendo's official Battery Replacement Kit, which includes a replacement battery, Phillips screwdriver, plastic tweezers, spudger, and fresh double-sided adhesive. Users must remove the rear housing, disconnect the battery cable, replace the adhesive strips, install the new battery, and carefully reassemble the controller before testing it.
While the process is considerably more involved than simply removing a battery cover, Nintendo has supplemented each step with detailed photos and instructional videos, giving us a good look at the hardware itself in the process.
The updated Joy-Con models are part of a broader rollout of European hardware revisions that also includes the Switch 2 console, Pro Controller, and several retro controllers. Nintendo has confirmed these revised products will gradually replace existing models in Europe over the coming months as the company prepares for the new EU legislation.
As of now, Nintendo has not announced a specific release date for the revised Joy-Con controllers with user-replaceable batteries. Instead, the company has said they will roll out gradually across Europe as current inventory is replaced ahead of the European Union's battery regulations taking effect in 2027.
