Nintendo will soon provide battery replacement kits for its revised Joy-Cons to further comply with EU regulations
Nintendo is set to introduce official battery replacement kits for its revised Joy-Con controllers, a move designed to bring the accessories further in line with European Union regulations on consumer electronics. The EU has been tightening rules around repairability and the use of removable batteries in devices sold within the bloc, prompting manufacturers including Nintendo to adapt their hardware and support offerings accordingly.
The kits will allow owners of the updated Joy-Cons to replace batteries themselves rather than relying solely on Nintendo's repair services or purchasing entirely new controllers, addressing longstanding criticism over the difficulty and cost of fixing worn-out Joy-Cons. The move follows Nintendo's broader efforts to make its hardware compliant with EU sustainability and right-to-repair requirements, which have increasingly shaped how tech companies design and support their products in the region.
In short
- Nintendo to launch battery replacement kits for revised Joy-Cons
- Move aims to meet EU repairability and battery regulations
- Lets users replace batteries themselves instead of buying new controllers
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of right-to-repair regulations argue that Nintendo's move demonstrates how mandatory repairability standards protect consumers and the environment. When manufacturers control repairs exclusively, consumers face inflated costs and forced obsolescence, leading to unnecessary e-waste. Allowing users to replace batteries themselves extends product lifespans, reduces landfill waste, and empowers individuals to maintain their own property rather than remaining locked into manufacturer dependence.
The case against
Critics of mandatory repairability requirements contend that such regulations, whilst well-intentioned, risk unintended consequences that may ultimately harm consumers. If users install batteries incorrectly, they risk device damage, safety hazards, or malfunction, and manufacturers lose quality control over the repair process. Additionally, companies facing complex new compliance requirements may pass increased costs to consumers, disincentivise innovation, or reduce investment elsewhere, and the regulatory burden may disproportionately affect smaller manufacturers unable to adapt as readily.
Explained simply
Joy-Cons are wireless controllers for Nintendo's Switch gaming console. They have faced persistent criticism because their batteries degrade with use and are difficult for owners to replace without specialist help, leaving consumers with the choice of expensive repairs or buying new controllers entirely.
The European Union has been strengthening regulations that require electronics manufacturers to design products that are easier to repair and, in many cases, to include removable batteries that consumers can replace themselves. These rules aim to reduce electronic waste and encourage more sustainable manufacturing practices across the technology industry.
Nintendo's introduction of battery replacement kits for its revised Joy-Con controllers represents an effort to meet these EU requirements. The move will allow owners to extend their controllers' lifespan by replacing worn batteries themselves, rather than relying on paid repair services or purchasing new controllers.