Zelda Switch 2 console with replaceable battery appears, contradicting Nintendo update

Nintendo introduced a revised handheld in the EU to comply with right-to-repair regulations. Most thought the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console wouldn’t support easier battery replacement. However, a retailer has listed two versions of the system and accompanying Pro Controller.

Confusion reigns

Smyths Toys is a popular Irish store also serving the UK and other parts of Europe. Several Redditors found unfamiliar SKUs for the Zelda Switch 2 console and controller on its website. The products, identified as 266502 and 266456, supposedly include a “user-replaceable battery.” Meanwhile, descriptions for items 265573 and 265620 lack that information.

The SKUs have different release dates, and the newer models have a projected in-stock target of November 5th, rather than October 29th. This news is surprising, especially since pre-orders opened recently. More significantly, it contradicts Nintendo’s site, which claims the hardware uses the older design.

It’s sensible to be skeptical. Nevertheless, Reddit poster Jazbur received an encouraging reply from Smyths Toys. It insisted the alternative Zelda Switch 2 console and Pro Controller would support simpler battery exchanges. The gamer then asked the Nintendo Store and was told, “We kindly inform you that this will be available in the future.”

Is it worth waiting?

Some buyers who have already secured pre-orders may be regretting their purchases. That said, even if the tweaks satisfy the right-to-repair laws, accessing the batteries still takes effort. Owners must remove a series of screws and the housing before swapping the part. Then, without encountering any adhesive, the process becomes less troublesome.

If Smyths Toys is correct, it could confirm plans to manufacture the Zelda 40th Anniversary lineup well into 2027. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense to create future-proof versions. EU businesses can sell products assembled and shipped ahead of the cutoff date.

There is hope that any updated Zelda Switch 2 console will appear in multiple regions. Recently, FCC listings surfaced with model numbers that match the gear sporting revised battery connectors. To streamline production, the filings suggest Nintendo intends to roll out the hardware to other markets.