Nintendo Switch Lite Announced But Should You Get It? – A PSVita-sized Switch for $199 will be available in September if you can forego some features!
With the PSVita and Nintendo 3DS being on their way out, the only truly portable game console currently available is the Nintendo Switch and it’s still a tad large with its 6.2″ screen. Now, Nintendo has shown some more love to portable console fans with the release of the Nintendo Switch Lite which is a Switch with a 5.5″ screen, lower price tag and some missing features.
What got announced? How is it different from the regular Switch?
Earlier today, Nintendo announced the long-awaited smaller version of the Nintendo Switch with the name Nintendo Switch Lite.
This version sports a 5.5″ 720p screen (same resolution as the original Switch), a lower price tag of $199, same 32GB NAND storage & microSD card slot, compatibility with all Switch games that support handheld mode and the inability to connect it to a television which is a tad ironic since it removes the significance of the Switch name.
Other than the main differences, there are also some others that might not be immediately noticeable which include:
- The Switch Lite comes with built-in controls and a much nicer looking D-pad rather than detachable joycons
- It includes no motion controls which means that some games like Pokemon Let’s Go that make use of motion controls for crucial parts of the game will require updating to support this version of the Switch
- A lighter console weighing in at 277 grams which is 17 grams heavier than the PSVita Phat (1000-models)
- Improved battery life with estimated play time in Zelda BotW being estimated at 4 hours rather than 3 hours on the original Switch
- No flip stand even though it’ll probably be addable through a case or some other 3rd party add-on
- Availability in Yellow, Turquoise, Grey and some other special themes like a Pokemon one
Another important point to mention is that the Switch Lite will be available on September 20, 2019.
Should I get one when it’s released?
While the $199.99 price tag is more attractive than the $299.99 one of the original Switch, it is important to note that you’ll be missing out on a pretty important feature namely the ability to play games on a bigger screen.
This may not sound like a big deal at first but being able to play games on a big screen as well is actually a pretty nice feature (from someone who’s used it) as it lets you enjoy games in a much nicer way when you’re at home and have some time on your hands.
However, it is possible that future hacks allow the Switch Lite to output its screen to a PC monitor similar to how the PSVita does it with the udcd_uvc plugin so that you’ll still be able to play games on a bigger screen.
In my opinion, $199 is a tad steep since the $100 difference is mostly covered by the fact that the Switch Lite doesn’t come with the Switch Dock (needed to connect your Switch to a television) and you’re getting a slightly inferior console.
That being said, its price might eventually go down similar to what Nintendo did with the 3DS a few months after launch and sales could bring its price down to $149 or even less making it much more appealing. However, the prices for used original Switch consoles are already going down and you might be able to find one with joycons but without a dock for around $200 locally/online which might be a better investment than a Switch Lite in the long run as you can just buy a dock at a later date.
Conclusion
As for now, the only Switch available is still the original model but if you want to learn more about the Switch Lite, make sure to check out Nintendo’s official page on it. Before spending your hard earned cash on it, make sure you can fully forego TV mode and if you have a hacked PSVita, check out whether you enjoy playing on a bigger screen with udcd_uvc or not so that you don’t regret any future decisions 😉
Nintendo’s page on the Switch Lite: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/lite/
Nintendo’s comparison: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/compare
The original Switch was a half-*** and overpriced piece of junk, just like all of Nintendo’s hardware. And now they want us to buy a slim model that does away with its namesake feature? Nintendo can go *** themselves.
If you want a portable next gen system, get a PS4 and use Vita remote play.
I’d buy a larger switch, but I can’t imagine considering a smaller one for any reason.
On the contrary, I think the Switch Lite (with which you cannot switch anymore >__<) isn't smaller enough. The main complain about the original Switch size is that it is too big to be a real portable console (transportable, yes).
I am not really interested, but it will be great if nintendo or some third party release left joy-con with dpad and wireless (Hori version only have wired connection)
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I already have a Switch and didn’t plan for the start to buy a Lite model, but I must admit I am a bit disappointed.
For starter, I think the model isn’t small enough. Despite what the title say, it’s not a PSVita size console which was barely fitting in any coat pocket to play on the go (which is different than “transporting” your console to another place to play there).
Then the price. No dock, no TV feature, no vibration nor infrared sensor … all that already amount to more than the bargain is.
As for the missing features, while I regret they got rid of the TV feature (that’s kind of the selling point of the base concept), most of the deletion were expected for a handheld console.
Wait they removed motion controls? But in the trailer he said they only removed the IR-Sensor and HD-Rumbleh
Motion controls are still there.
It’s a NDS . “Nintendo Don’t Switch” . no thanks. the ability to not “switch” is a deal breaker and some games the text is too small to see on the switch screen, what more a Switch lite? great for kids but i would rather put my money toward a full featured switch. you can get a regular switch on Amazon Warehouse thats not hurt for same price.
in which hardware device games wasted my money, in this nintendo lite or best wait the next year and buy the ps5?
I think everyone’s overlooking the bigger picture.
As a Switch it sucks, but as a portable emulator this has serious potential. It’s basically a Nintendo EVERYTHING!
I already have a OG Switch but I might purchase this one if the reviews are good. OG Switch for homebrew, Switch Lite for online!
Enhanced portability also sounds very nice, and was my main gripe with the OG Switch (as someone who near exclusively plays in handheld)
I have an original hacked switch but i’d much rather have a smaller, portable only switch. I’m much more into the handheld scene and always have been so the idea of a super powerful handheld near vita size is exciting to me. The switch as it is is just too big for me to consider it a true handheld system.
Thanks for the article.
We are eluding the hottest spot here: without RCM access, do we already know another entry point to inject payload ?
I know it is way too early, but for me this console will really exist only after the first TX announcement.
Life always finds a way.
And the SmachZ is close at hand, so I’ll soon enjoy Halo wars and Metroid prime on the go.
Switch mini has a smaller screen with the same resolution…meaning it’ll have a sharper image, unless the pixel density is awful. The way I see it, it’s the superior choice. Not having a docked mode is irrelevant if you’re a handheld gamer anyways. This might be the revision that gets me to bite.