Verdict
The Nintendo Switch Lite remains to be as cute as when it first launched, proving a superb various to the unique for kids and those who desire a extra transportable system. Its reasonably priced value does include some restrictions, like an absence of TV output, movement controls and restricted native multiplayer capabilities, however that doesn’t erase its improbable video games library and compact design.
Pros
Design is powerful, engaging and straightforward to useAlready boasts a improbable library of video gamesIncreased battery life in comparison with the bottom mannequin
Cons
Nature of console means sure video games are now not supportedLocal multiplayer is way more durable to attain with out docking
Handheld consoleThe light-weight and compact design makes it excellent to tackle the go.
Support for Nintendo titlesHas help for the huge array of Nintendo titles together with video games from earlier consoles.
Modeterate battery lifeHas a quoted battery lifetime of between 3 to 7 hours.
Introduction
The Nintendo Switch has been in the marketplace since 2019 and is the smaller, extra reasonably priced various to the vanilla Switch.
The Switch Lite doesn’t get practically as a lot consideration as its two siblings, the bottom Switch and glossy Switch OLED. While it does include some limitations, it nonetheless boasts a improbable video games library, together with new releases like Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Bayonetta 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
It now advantages from Nintendo’s newest Switch Online service, a paid subscription in the identical vein as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium, giving customers entry to video games from the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Mega Drive, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.
It’s clear that the Switch Lite nonetheless has quite a bit going for it 4 years after launch, which is why we needed to revisit this console and see if it may stack up within the period of the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. It is probably not probably the most highly effective handheld in the marketplace, but it surely’s definitely nonetheless the cutest.
Design
Handheld console — smaller than the Switch and Switch OLEDComes in an array of colors Bluetooth is now supported
To get the apparent out of the way in which, the Switch Lite is extremely cute. It has a chunkier design than the bottom Switch and bigger bezels than the Switch OLED, however I feel that simply provides to its appeal. It may be present in 5 colourways – blue, yellow, gray, turquoise and coral – with our mannequin sporting the turquoise look. It can simply be held in a single hand and could be a greater match for smaller kids than the opposite fashions because of this smaller measurement.
It has an similar button format to its siblings aside from the standard D-Pad on the left-hand facet, which I discover much more fulfilling to make use of than 4 disconnected inputs. The buttons themselves really feel just a little squishier than my common Switch. I didn’t really feel like this resulted in decreased responsiveness, really feeling extra satisfying than the more durable inputs on the bottom mannequin.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The most putting design change is the shortage of Joy-Con controllers since these controllers are fused to the physique of the console. While this does have an effect on the efficiency of some video games it does remove any unintentional injury that might be caused by youthful players. The console itself feels sturdier too, however I put that right down to the truth that I wasn’t apprehensive about breaking the controller docks, a continuing fear for me whereas enjoying on the bottom mannequin.
Nintendo did replace the Switch Lite to help Bluetooth, permitting me to sport with my wi-fi earbuds. My expertise was seamless and crisp, however I’m grateful to see the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack for any wired connections. There can be a USB-C port for charging, alongside a microSD port so as to add extra reminiscence.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Screen
5.5-inch LCD panel 1280×720 decision – limiting in some video games Responsive contact display
I used to be hesitant in regards to the display measurement of the Switch Lite, which sits at simply 5.2 inches in comparison with the unique’s 6.2 inches. Since it nonetheless packs the identical 720p decision it really appears just a little higher than the bottom mannequin, because the pixels don’t should be stretched out fairly as a lot. This ‘improvement’ is difficult to identify, but it surely does imply that you simply received’t want to fret in regards to the visuals on display.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Due to the shortage of docking talents, there is no such thing as a technique to upscale any content material increased than 720p. I’ve performed a few titles on the Switch Lite – corresponding to Hades, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – they usually all seemed nice, or as nice as 720p can look. Granted, the Switch OLED will present a extra premium viewing expertise because of its titular OLED panel, however that doesn’t imply that the Switch Lite appears unhealthy by any means.
This doesn’t low cost a few of the different qualms that floor with the design. When enjoying video games with a lot of textual content, corresponding to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, it may be arduous to learn smaller parts of textual content in menus and through dialogue scenes. As such, it’s typically essential to carry the display nearer to your face.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Battery life
Unchanged since launchRanges between three to seven hours
Battery life for the Nintendo Switch Lite can vary between three to seven hours, relying on the sport and the brightness depth of the display.
Unlike the bottom Switch mannequin, the Lite has not undergone any battery upgrades since its launch, which means that fashions purchased proper now can have the identical battery capability as those that got here out in 2019.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
There are myriad components to contemplate when testing a console corresponding to this, so we put the Lite by way of its paces by way of steady classes of Super Smash Bros Ultimate and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. On the previous, the latter tapped out simply shy of the four-hour mark throughout an eight-player battle.
Less intensive titles corresponding to Undertale and Untitled Goose Game fare higher, squeezing way more day out of the battery. You’ll discover elevated fan noise and a excessive temperature in the direction of the highest of the unit whereas enjoying extra graphically intensive video games, but it surely’s seldom distracting sufficient to be a difficulty.
UI and Social
User interface largely unchanged since launch Screenshots and movies may be shared on social media Nintendo Switch Online subscription launched in 2017
The touchscreen on the Switch Lite makes navigating it easy and streamlined. Switching between customers can be very straightforward – as much as eight accounts being supported – with customers being prompted to select a profile each time they begin a sport or wish to entry the eShop.
Screenshots may be taken by urgent the screenshot button on the left-hand facet. Media may be despatched on to social media or to a cellphone by way of a QR code, with the flexibility to ship it to a laptop computer or desktop by way of the USB-C port too. Sending media over on the Switch sequence is quite a bit less complicated than utilizing a PS5 for instance, with the menu and navigation being a lot cleaner.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The Switch is a very devoted gaming console, with no help for apps like Netflix, Disney Plus or YouTube. This units it aside from gadgets just like the PS5 and Xbox Series X which put much more concentrate on leisure past gaming. Due to the smaller display and battery life limitations, I’ve no problem with it being solely a gaming machine, however you could wish to look in the direction of handhelds just like the Steam Deck for a extra well-rounded expertise.
Nintendo launched a online game subscription service in 2017, Nintendo Switch Online. It works in an analogous technique to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium, giving customers entry to NES and SNES video games, with the Expansion Pack providing up Sega Genesis, N64, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles.
It’s fairly reasonably priced too when in comparison with different gaming providers. The base membership prices $19.99/£17.99/€19.99 a yr, with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion pack costing just a little extra at $79.99/£59.99/€69/99 a yr.
Games
Massive assortment of first-party titlesDecent choice of third-party video games Less help than the vanilla Switch for video games with movement management
The Nintendo Switch Lite is anomalous in some regards, largely as a result of it makes a small choice of present video games defunct because of the lack of removable controllers. Titles corresponding to Super Mario Party, Nintendo Switch Sports and 1-2 Switch merely aren’t supported in handheld mode, requiring particular person Joy-Cons to perform.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
In some circumstances, this might be remedied by shopping for and connecting particular person controllers, however the lack of a kickstand makes this a really inconvenient answer. Beyond this, the vast majority of video games I examined utilizing the Switch Lite labored completely, with visuals, management strategies and efficiency dwelling as much as the unique console’s commonplace.
Ultimately, if you’re comfortable to go with out movement management titles and a few multiplayer video games, the Switch Lite has an enormous video games library that’s effectively value delving into, it’ll simply rely on which video games you wish to play extra.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
You need an reasonably priced transportable console:
The Switch Lite doesn’t pack the identical energy because the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, but it surely’s greater than serviceable for on-the-go gaming. It helps an enormous library of video games from Nintendo and third events and has a terrific battery life, and it is available in much more colourways than the usual mannequin.
You desire a docked expertise with extra energy:
The primary downfall of the Switch Lite is that it can’t be docked to an exterior TV/monitor and misses out on a choice of movement management video games. If you desire a extra premium expertise, you need to go for one other handheld console or splash out on the usual Switch or Switch OLED.
Final Thoughts
The Nintendo Switch Lite nonetheless holds up as a worthy console inside the handheld market a number of years after launch. It is a wonderful transportable console that refines the show, buttons and general type issue of its older sibling.
It does sacrifice docked play and the Joy-Con controllers of the vanilla mannequin, which might be a dealbreaker for some. But in case you’re solely fascinated with transportable play and don’t wish to break the financial institution for the extra luxurious Switch OLED, then the Switch Lite is a no brainer.
How we check
In order to check the Nintendo Switch, we performed a variety of video games and in contrast its efficiency to rival consoles such because the Steam Deck.
We’ve additionally made positive to verify the newest firmware updates and design alterations to verify this assessment is up-to-date for modern-day patrons.
Played a number of video games to check efficiency
FAQs
Why is the Switch Lite cheaper than the vanilla Switch? The Switch Lite has a smaller display and doesn’t function the removable Joy-Con controllers, limiting the playability of movement management video games. It can’t be docked to hyperlink as much as a TV both. What colors does the Switch Lite are available in? The Switch Lite may be present in Blue, Yellow, Gray, Coral and Turquoise.
‹
CPU
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Battery
Battery Hours
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Release Date
Resolution
Refresh Rate
Ports
GPU
Connectivity
Display Technology
Touch Screen
Convertible?
Nintendo Switch Lite
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
Nintendo
5.5 inches
32GB
3570 mAh
7
8.2 x 0.55 x 3.6 INCHES
278 G
2021
1280 x 720
60 Hz
3.5mm and USB-C
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
LCD
Yes
Yes
›