Nintendo to sell EU Switch 2 model

Nintendo said on June 4 that it is preparing European Union-compliant versions of products with model numbers starting with “BEE,” a category that outside reporting identified as the Switch 2 family. The disclosure appeared in Nintendo of Europe’s compliance page for EU directives and regulations, where the company said batteries integrated into certain appliances sold in the bloc must be “easily replaceable by end-users” from February 18, 2027. The company did not name the Switch 2 directly in the compliance text, but Engadget and other outlets tied the “BEE” code to Nintendo’s current-generation hardware line and reported that Nintendo is preparing an EU-specific Switch 2 variant with a replaceable battery. Nintendo said those future compliant versions will carry unique model numbers and an additional “OSM” code on packaging, and will be treated as separate products for regulatory purposes. (nintendo.com) ### Where did this come from? Nintendo of Europe posted the language in a section covering Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the bloc’s batteries regulation. On that page, Nintendo said its products already comply with rules on hazardous metal content, labeling, safe removal, collection and recycling, and added that it is “implementing measures” to meet the next phase of the regulation. (nintendo.com) The European Commission’s guidance on the regulation says the rules concern the removability and replaceability of portable batteries and light means of transport batteries. Nintendo’s page gives the operative date for the consumer-facing requirement as February 18, 2027. ### What exactly changes for EU buyers? Nintendo said future compliant “BEE” products in Europe will have unique model numbers and “OSM” visible on the packaging. (nintendo.com) The company did not publish technical details on how the battery will be accessed, whether tools will be required, or whether the change applies only to the console or also to accessories that share the “BEE” prefix. (eur-lex.europa.eu) Engadget reported that Nintendo had confirmed it would release a version of the Switch 2 with swappable batteries in 2027. The Verge reported the revised model would be available by February 2027, when the EU rules take effect. ### Is Nintendo changing Switch 2 everywhere? Nintendo’s June 4 compliance language refers only to products sold in the European Union. (nintendo.com) Engadget said the compliant hardware would likely remain regional because Nintendo described the units as separate products for regulatory purposes, though that is an inference from the company’s wording rather than a direct statement from Nintendo. (engadget.com) The company also did not give a global rollout plan for the replaceable-battery design. Nintendo has not announced pricing for the compliant model, and Engadget noted that Nintendo raised the Switch 2’s EU price in May from 470 euros to 500 euros, citing memory costs and other market conditions. ### Why does the packaging code matter? (engadget.com) Nintendo said the “OSM” marking will identify the future compliant version on the box. That matters because the company is not describing the change as a software update or a repair program for existing units; it is describing distinct versions with separate model numbers. (engadget.com) Outside reports said “BEE” is the code prefix associated with the Switch 2 family. Nintendo’s own notice stops at saying current products with model numbers beginning “BEE” will get future compliant versions. ### What should buyers watch next? (nintendo.com) February 18, 2027 is the date Nintendo itself cited for the EU battery-replacement requirement. Before then, buyers in Europe will need to watch for new Nintendo product listings and retail packaging that show unique model numbers and the “OSM” code the company described on June 4. (nintendo.com)