Nintendo switch vs lite: Nintendo Switch vs. Switch Lite: Which Switch Is Best?

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: which should you buy?

(Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

If you’re looking at getting a new console but aren’t familiar with the Nintendo range, luckily choosing between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite is pretty easy. Both are excellent games consoles that (mostly) do the same thing, but there are a few major differences that warrant some research before you buy. Our below guide will go into detail about the major differences between the two in order to help you choose a console best suited for you.

So what’s the main difference between the two consoles? The original Nintendo Switch has detachable Joy-Cons, meaning it can be placed into a dock and played in both tabletop and TV mode, where as the Switch Lite is a solid, smaller unit that will only play in hand-held mode. Being a lot smaller than the normal Switch, it’s a lot more travel-friendly and is therefore a great starter console for kids or gamers on the go. There are very few games that aren’t playable on the Switch Lite too, so you don’t need to worry too much about missing out on the best titles! If you’re wanting to get the biggest and best Switch console available, there is of course the new Nintendo Switch OLED (we have a detailed breakdown of the original Nintendo Switch VS the Switch OLED If you want to know more about that). We also have reviews of both the Nintendo Switch and the Switch Lite if you want to know our hands-on thoughts about both of these consoles!

For now, this guide will solely focus on the original Nintendo Switch (launched in 2017 and then revised in 2019) vs the the Nintendo Switch Lite (originally launched in 2019). We’ll compare the key elements you need to know about both consoles to help you choose between the two as well as include live widgets showing the best prices wherever you’re based! If you’re looking for more gaming inspiration, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games and the best Nintendo Switch accessories to get the most out of your console. 

Today’s best Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite deals

931 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

£258

View

£259

View

£309

View

Show More Deals

(Image credit: Future)

Both Switches look pretty much the same from a distance, but the Switch Lite (see our best Switch Lite deals for today’s best prices) is notably smaller and, appropriately, lighter. It measures 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.55 inches (91.1 x 208 x 13.9mm) and weighs 9.76 ounces (275g) according to Nintendo’s specs. The standard Switch is 4 x 9.4 x 0.55 inches (102 x 239 x 13.9mm) and 14.08 ounces (398g), with the Joy-Cons attached.

The two versions have slightly different color options too. The base Switch (see today’s top Nintendo Switch deals) comes with a black body and either grey or red and blue Joy-Con controllers (but there are plenty of other colour options available to buy seperately). The Switch Lite comes with an all-over paint job, your options consisting of turquoise, pink, yellow and grey. There are also a few limited edition consoles themed after franchises like Pokemon and Splatoon.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: display

(Image credit: Future)

The size difference applies to the screen too. The Switch Lite sports a 5.5-inch display, while the normal Switch uses a 6.2-inch one. The two panels share the same underlying LCD technology and 1280 x 720 resolution though. These are both touch screens too, which isn’t a major feature in most Switch games but makes navigating the home menu a bit easier.

It comes with the territory that the Switch Lite’s smaller screen can make some game’s visuals feels compressed and hard-to-read, but this isn’t a major issue for the most part. 

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: battery life

(Image credit: Future/Nintendo )

The battery life of the Switch and Switch Lite vary significantly, and that’s made more complicated by the two versions of the base Switch having different battery longevity also.

The Switch Lite is the most straightforward. It will last you between three and seven hours depending on what you’re doing according to Nintendo’s official estimates.
The first Nintendo Switch, the one from 2017, can survive between two and a half to 6 and a half hours. The revised Switch, available since 2019 and packaged in a different, all-red box, lasts a more impressive four and a half to nine hours away from the charger. So the Lite model just beats the original Switch, but can’t match up to the newer one.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: dock/compatibility

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the two consoles we’re looking at, only the base Switch works in either handheld or through a separate TV or display via the dock and an HDMI cable. The Switch Lite works exclusively in handheld mode. 

The standard Switch dock provides a convenient charging stand for the Switch, but also lets you plug in an extra USB-A accessory or charging cable that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. It’s also through here that you attach the HDMI cable from your screen of choice. 

The basic dock comes in the Switch’s box as standard. However you can also buy the new Switch OLED dock as a separate accessory. It still works with the original Switch and does all the same things as before, but adds a built-in ethernet port to allow for a more stable internet connection.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: controllers

(Image credit: Future)

Both the Switch and the Switch Lite offer the same basic controller layout with two analog sticks, four d-pad buttons, four letter buttons, four shoulder buttons, a home button, a share button and Plus and Minus buttons for various menu options. The only slight difference is that the original Switch uses four separate buttons for the directional inputs on the left controller, while the Switch Lite has an all-in-one d-pad.

The main difference whether these controls are removable or not. On the original Switch, the controls are split across two removable Joy-Cons. These clip onto either side of the display when you want to play in handheld mode, or can be removed when the Switch is docked. The two halves can also be used as two separate controllers for certain games, allowing instant multiplayer capabilities out of the box. You can always buy more pairs of Joy-Cons or third-party Bluetooth controllers to give you different or additional inputs.

As we’ve mentioned prior, you can’t remove the controls from the Switch Lite: the all-in-one design doesn’t allow for it. However there’s nothing stopping you from picking up extra Joy-Cons or third-party controllers to expand the number of players you can have at one time like with the standard Switch.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: price 

(Image credit: Future)

You can pick up the basic Nintendo Switch for $299, a fair bit less than other current games consoles. You’ll be hard pressed to find this or the Switch Lite on sale, but some retailers often bundle a game or two in for free, so it’s worthwhile researching the best Nintendo Switch deals.

The Switch Lite costs $199, making it the better budget choice. However as we’ve gone through above, you lose a fair bit of functionality for the discount, even if you can still play all the same games.

Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite: games

(Image credit: Future)

Both the Switch models we’re looking at take the same Game Card physical media for games, but you also have 32GB storage on-board for downloading titles. The same games, including Nintendo all-star franchises like Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid and more, work with any Switch. However there’s a small thing to look out for if you’re using a Switch Lite.

Since it’s a handheld-only console, the Switch Lite can’t support games that require the use of TV mode, and requires separate controllers if you want to play in tabletop mode. Games that only work in these ways are pretty rare fortunately, but it’s worth checking a game’s details on the store page or the back of the box before you buy just in case. 

If you need some ideas of what to play, make sure to check out our best Nintendo Switch games recommendations.

Should you buy the Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite?

Chances are you know instinctively which Switch will work best for your needs, as it all comes down to where you picture yourself wanting to play games on it the most.

If you want a handheld console that’s more convenient to carry around, the Switch Lite is likely the one for you. That is unless its smaller battery life or inability to connect to a TV at all concerns you, in which case you may be better off going for the normal Switch.

The regular Switch excels at being ready for any gaming situation, whether you’re at home or away, playing alone or with another person. The slightly larger display means you can better appreciate the games you’re playing. You do have to pay another $100 for the privilege though, so if your budget is tight, go for the Lite.

Today’s best Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite deals

931 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

£258

View

£259

View

£309

View

Show More Deals

Read more:

  • The best Switch Lite games
  • The best Nintendo Switch travel cases
  • Wait, is the Nintendo Switch Pro back on again?

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Already have an account ? Sign in here

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Already have an account ? Sign in here

Sign up below to get the latest from Creative Bloq, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

Richard is a tech journalist and writer. He is Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide and has a passion for smartphones, gaming and audio. 

Nintendo Switch Versus Switch Lite

The Nintendo Switch is a 2-in-1 video game system that “switches” between a home console played on a TV and a portable gaming handheld unit. At its core, the Switch is a standalone tablet with a touchscreen display ideal for watching YouTube or playing a casual game. Sliding the two included Joy-Con controllers onto the right and left sides of this screen provides analog sticks, buttons, and triggers—converting the tablet into a portable game system with console-like controls. It has enough power to play some of the most popular open-world video games from Skyrim to The Witcher 3 on the go. While you’re home, the Switch clicks into its included docking station so that you can play your games on the big screen of your TV while charging up the system and its connected controllers.

Nintendo Switch Versatility Comes At A Cost

The Switch shakes up the traditional gaming landscape by removing the barrier between home and portable gaming systems. In the past, you would have to shell out for a home game console like the Nintendo Wii and a separate, lower-powered portable console like the Nintendo DS. Games on handhelds did not look or play the same as their home console counterparts. While you could trade items between certain games, your progress did not carry over.

With the all-in-one design of the Nintendo Switch, you can start a game at home, remove the console from its dock, and continue the same experience on the go. And all of the headway you make while you’re out picks up right where you left off on your TV when you return home. That applies to not only some of the most popular third-party games but also Nintendo’s exclusives like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokemon. Switching between configurations is seamless—you have the power to choose when and where you play your games.

Switch It Up
  • 10 of the Best Games on the Nintendo Switch
  • The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories
  • The 6 Best Nintendo Switch Memory Cards

However, this versatility leaves the system relatively underpowered. If you care about playing the latest titles at the highest graphical fidelity or frame rates, the Switch falls behind. While other video game consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 target a 4K resolution at 60 frames per second video quality, the Switch is stuck at 1080p at 60 fps on a TV and just 720p at 30 fps in handheld mode. Despite the Switch’s toned-down graphics, its game prices trend toward more expensive. Often referred to as the «Switch Tax,» these higher prices correlate to purchasing a game that runs on the TV and on the go.

How We Tested

We called in and evaluated all three current Nintendo Switch systems to compare them side-by-side in our labs. Nintendo’s Switch lineup has evolved into three models: the standard Switch, Switch Lite (handheld mode only), and the new Switch OLED. Each model offers the same level of performance, sharing the same game library and interface. We looked at areas like dock connectivity, screen performance, and battery life. We benchmarked battery life by fully charging each system, then playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons at 50 percent brightness in handheld mode until the system died. We repeated this three times to get an average runtime for each Switch.

Best Value

NINTENDO SWITCH (HAC-001)

Best Value

Nintendo Switch (Neon Red/Neon blue)

Best Value

Nintendo Switch (Neon Red/Neon blue)

$300 at Amazon$344 at Walmart$300 at adorama.com

Pros
  • Best of both home and portable features at a good price
  • Three USB ports on dock
Cons
  • Chunky bezels on LCD screen

Key Specs

Screen 6.2-inch LCD
Weight 0.88 pounds
Battery Life 4 hours 47 minutes (tested)

The original Nintendo Switch is the most well-rounded model in the lineup. It offers a seamless dock-and-go experience, snappy user interface, and even includes a tiny kickstand for propping it up on a surface for multiplayer gaming on the go. At $299 it sits comfortably in the middle of the budget-oriented Switch Lite ($199) and top-of-the-line Switch OLED ($349) while retaining nearly all of the features of the pricier flagship. In fact, if you plan to use your Switch primarily connected to the TV, then this offers the same experience while giving you an extra USB port for charging accessories.

If you plan to spend a lot of time on the go, you will find the 6.2-inch LCD display the weakest in the pool. The 720p visuals look sharp on the small screen but the chunky 0.5-inch side and 0.25-inch top bezels are much more prominent than on the massive-looking OLED and smaller 0.1-inch bezels of the Lite. The dimmer backlight and more washed-out colors are worth mentioning if you’re someone who prefers playing on a screen with the boldest colors. As you can see in the Animal Crossing shots below, the greens in the grass and the blues in the ocean fall flat, and the logo just doesn’t pop as hard on the base Switch versus the Switch OLED directly above it.

Trevor Raab

Likely, you won’t notice this deficit if you aren’t putting it alongside an OLED phone or Switch OLED, and it’s hard to justify spending more on an OLED edition if you plan to spend less than half your time in portable mode. This slightly dimmer screen retains an impressive battery life of 4.5 hours—placing it a full hour ahead of the portable-only Switch Lite and just a half hour below the runtimes put up by the OLED in our tests. And while docked to a TV, there is no graphical difference from its pricier big brother. In fact, we preferred this base over the OLED models because its dark colors better fight off dust and fingerprints while providing an extra USB port which gives you more room for charging accessories like controllers and headphones.

Trevor Raab

Overall, the regular Nintendo Switch is a strong console that blends the best of both a home system and a handheld in a lightweight format. Now if you prefer to play competitive online games like Super Smash Bros. using a wired ethernet connection, then the Switch OLED comes with that connector built into the docking station. Purchasing that adapter for your base Switch is an extra $30—and at that point, you might as well just get the Switch OLED for the better screen and improved battery life in handheld mode.

Best Handheld

NINTENDO SWITCH LITE

Best Portable

Nintendo Switch Lite

Best Portable

Nintendo Switch Lite

$200 at Amazon$199 at Walmart$200 at adorama.com

Pros
  • Most comfortable Switch
  • Widest variety of colors and designs
Cons
  • Shortest battery life
  • Can’t be displayed on TV

Key Specs

Screen 5. 5-inch LCD
Weight 0.6 pounds
Battery Life 3 hours 31 minutes (tested)

The Switch Lite is half the console of a standard Switch. We mean that quite literally as it is unable to output a video signal to a TV and can only be used as a handheld. On the flip side, its 8-inch body is more pocketable, the $199 price tag is much more affordable, and its smaller screen has thinner bezels for improved immersion. While the smaller Joy-Cons are built directly into the system and there’s no kickstand for table play, this trims the fat for an improved single-player experience on the move. If you’re either an existing Switch owner looking for a more lightweight secondary system or if you solely want a portable gaming console, the Switch Lite makes sense.

Trevor Raab

In our testing, the Lite beat out both other models in comfort, fitting best in a variety of hand types. We found that the smaller body and controllers of the system were much easier to use over extended play sessions. You’ll spend less time extending your thumbs and fumbling fingers around the back of the console, and grip with less force since it’s much easier to hold. The intertwined screen and controllers come in a wider variety of colors and designs than the other Switches. Illustrations on special editions of the Switch Lite wrap around the Joy-Con handles into the body and the boldly contrasting colors of the standard Switch Lite stand out from the lineup.

Trevor Raab

The smaller 5.5-inch LCD screen keeps up with the standard Switch above thanks to the much thinner 0.1-inch bezels making the most out of the space. You will have to tradeoff battery life if you prefer the Lite’s more pocketable body. It dies in 3.5 hours on average—the lowest in the pool. But that’s plenty for binging through even the longest of games. We preferred the Lite for knocking out side quests in Breath of the Wild and collecting Pokemon from bed, the passenger seat of a car, and even the office. The console works well in bright areas and offers unmatched comfort. But if you want the best display and battery life on a handheld, then the Switch OLED below offers richer colors while retaining compatibility with a TV.

Best Performance

NINTENDO SWITCH OLED

Best Performance

Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/ White Joy-Con

Best Performance

Nintendo Switch – OLED Model w/ White Joy-Con

$349 at Amazon$349 at Walmart$350 at adorama.com

Pros
  • Vibrant OLED screen
  • Best speakers
  • Improved kickstand and dock with built-in ethernet
Cons
  • Expensive

Key Specs

Screen 7.0-inch OLED
Weight 0.95 pounds
Battery Life 5 hours 14 minutes tested

Nintendo’s Switch OLED is the newest addition and flagship of the lineup. It offers everything the base Nintendo Switch does in addition to longer battery life, better ergonomics, and a larger, vivid OLED display that provides the best-looking screen on a handheld. If you’ve never owned a Switch, this is worth the extra dough, but the colors and slightly longer battery life may not be as appealing to those already in the ecosystem.

At 7 inches, the screen is the biggest in the lineup, with paper-thin bezels so it ends up looking much larger than either display of the models above. Unlike LCD displays, the OLED panel in this model turns off each individual pixel for true blacks, creating greater contrast and more vibrant colors. You can see what I’m talking about in the pictures below; the screen is completely black while the Lite and base models have a grey backlight. Compared to the Switch and Switch Lite, this widens the color range and increases brightness levels for much sharper visuals in handheld mode.

Trevor Raab

Like the original Switch, the OLED is a bit weighty at 0. 95 pounds, which becomes noticeable in extended handheld play sessions. It’s not a big step up from the base Switch’s 0.88 pounds but more weight on a handheld is not ideal. But with great weight comes great gains in quality of life improvements throughout the design. The most notable is the improved battery that lasts well over five hours on a charge. Its larger speakers also produce more robust sound. Whether it’s the strings of background music or character dialogue, everything sounds crisper. You can download more games before running out of memory thanks to the bumped-up onboard storage capacity, which is double—64GB to 32GB—what’s found on the Switch and Switch Lite. Lastly, the kickstand spans the full body and is made of metal for strong support.

Trevor Raab

Trevor Raab

If you want the best visual handheld experience that can dock with a TV, the Switch OLED can’t be topped. Despite releasing just last year, the internal components are largely the same as those of the original Switch. The upgrades are appreciated but don’t purchase the Switch OLED thinking it will produce higher resolution visuals or frame rates.

Hunter Fenollol

Hunter Fenollol, our resident expert of all things consumer tech, from smart home to VR gaming headsets, has years of knowledge creating product explainers, in-depth reviews, and buying guides to help you get the most from the latest electronics. Throughout college, he covered and reviewed the latest gadget releases for sites like Tom’s Guide, Laptop Magazine, and CNN Underscored. If he’s not elbow-deep in the latest hardware, you can find Hunter at one of Long Island’s many beaches, in Manhattan, or gambling away his paycheck. 

Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite — What’s the difference?

They say the more choices the better, but that doesn’t necessarily make things easier. Now that Nintendo is offering two versions of its wildly popular Switch, it’s never been more relevant in the handheld gaming world.

There is now a regular Nintendo Switch and a new Nintendo Switch Lite. So how do they compare? Let’s dive into…

Nintendo Switch vs. Nintendo Switch Lite

  • Save

  • Save

Operating modes: Connected to TV; Can also be used for portable games Operating modes: NOT connected to TV; Designed exclusively for handheld gaming
Games: supports all games Nintendo Switch Games: Supports only SWITCH games designed for portable devices
Controller Joy-Con: Joy controllers: None
Battery life: 2. 5 to 6.5 hours or 4.5 to 9 hours Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
Display: 6.2-inch touch screen display: 5.5-inch sensor screen
9000 USA

Design

  • Nintendo Switch — The handheld game controller features detachable Joy-Con controllers, and can be used in handheld or desktop mode or connected to a TV.
  • Nintendo Switch Lite – However, Nintendo Switch Lite can only be used in handheld mode. It does not offer removable controllers and is not dock compatible.

Winner? Nintendo Switch — It offers great versatility thanks to its docking capability. and detachable Joy-Cons.

Monitor

  • Nintendo Switch — Nintendo Switch is equipped with a 6. 2-inch touch screen.
  • Nintendo Switch Lite — The Nintendo Switch Lite is equipped with a 5.5-inch touch screen.

Winner? Nintendo Switch — The bigger the screen, the better, baby.

Games

  • Nintendo Switch — Nintendo Switch supports the entire Nintendo Switch game library, no matter what game modes it offers.
  • Nintendo Switch Lite — Nintendo Switch Lite only supports Switch games that offer handheld mode. It does not work with Switch games that require TV or tabletop mode.

Winner? Nintendo Switch — Whichever Switch game you buy will work best on the Switch

Battery

  • Nintendo Switch — The Nintendo Switch has two battery life options depending on your model. These possibilities are 2.5 to 6.5 hours or 4.5 to 9 hours (depending on the model).
  • Nintendo Switch Lite — Nintendo Switch Lite will give you 3 to 7 hours of gameplay.

Winner? Draw — Watching which of the regular Nintendo Switch you have. The Lite has a longer battery life than the first Switch model, but the second model of the regular Switch clearly outperforms the Lite.

Price

[amalinkspro_table id=”118215″ aff-id=”kym07-20″ new-window=”on” nofollow=”on” addtocart=”on” /]

Verdict?

In almost every area, the Nintendo Switch outperforms the Nintendo Switch Lite. 9The 0114 Switch is simply the best choice for the given its support for three game modes, detachable Joy-Cons and a larger display.

However, if you’re looking for a cheaper version of the Nintendo Switch Lite, there’s nothing to sneeze at. $100 less (via Amazon) , it’s great for affordable Nintendo gameplay.

Nintendo Switch vs. Nintendo Switch Lite: Specifications

Here are the specifications of the Nintendo Switch:

  • Display: 6.2″ touch screen
  • Weight: 0.88 lbs
  • Dimensions: 4″ high x 9.4″ long x 55″ deep (with Joy-Con attached)
  • Battery life: 2.5 to 6.5 hours or 4.5 to 9 hours (depending on model)
  • Games: Supports all titles in the Nintendo Switch library.
  • Nintendo Switch Dock: Included
  • Joy-Con controllers included
  • Game modes: TV mode, tabletop mode, handheld mode
  • Cost: $299.99

Here are the specifications of the Nintendo Switch Lite:

  • Display: 5.5″ touchscreen
  • Weight: 0.61 lbs
  • Dimensions: 3.6 inches high, 8.2 inches long, 55 inches deep
  • Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
  • Games: Supports all Nintendo Switch Library Portable titles only
  • Nintendo Switch Dock: not compatible
  • Joy-Con controllers: not included
  • Game modes: manual mode only
  • Cost: $199. 99

  • Save

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Mix

  • Reddit.

  • whatsapp

  • Flipboard

  • pinterest

  • More

Michael Grothaus

Apple expert and writer Michael Grothaus has covered technology on KnowYourMobile for the better part of 10 years. Prior to that, he worked at Apple. Before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones has been hailed as one of the best novels about Hollywood. Entertainment Weekly . Michael is also the author of other publications, including VICE and Fast Company.

Review Nintendo Switch Lite — the best solution for portable gaming

A new console from Nintendo has arrived on the shelves. How it differs from the usual Switch, what advantages it has, and why avid “portables” should take a closer look at it — read in our review.

Earlier we wrote a detailed review of the original Switch, in which we talked about what the console is like. Therefore, to fully understand the differences between the two consoles, you should familiarize yourself with it.

Well, very «light»

Literally from the first glance at the box, it becomes clear that the Nintendo Switch Lite is, well, very «light». Compared to the original, the packaging is almost four times smaller.

Only the essentials inside: console and charger. There is no docking station or accessories for the JoyCon controllers, as the Lite is purely for portable gaming.

But about the detailed differences a little later, at first you just want to admire the prefix. Unlike the strict black panel of the usual Switch, the light version is made in several bright color schemes: yellow, turquoise and gray. We got the first option, and it seemed to us the most spectacular of all.

There are also other game themed skins, but these can only be purchased as part of exclusive editions that are available for order overseas.

What else can be said at a cursory examination? Well, Lite is noticeably smaller. This can be seen even by eye, if you put both consoles side by side. And here is a more visual comparison:

Also, a full-fledged cross is immediately evident, which we will talk about in detail a little later. Otherwise, the consoles are similar: approximately the same design, the same buttons and sticks.

In addition to the Switch Lite box, we also got our hands on the official kit with case and screen protector. The cover fits the console well and protects it from damage thanks to a layer of dense fabric with the addition of plastic. Well, the protective film is just a must-have, especially for those who play outside the home.

White travel bag? Surely that’s a good idea? A white travel bag? Is that really a good idea?

Why Switch Lite had to be released

Immediately after the announcement of Lite, there was a heated debate on the net about why Nintendo decided to release a lite version of the original in the first place, when people have been asking for months to release Switch Pro.

Lite-version can be called Switch only with a big stretch, since there is no actual function of switching anything. But the company’s decision is quite understandable — Switch is now on everyone’s lips, so they decided to call the new prefix the same.

Interesting that there is no word «Lite» on the back panel Interesting that there is no word «Lite» on the back panel

For years, Nintendo has been famous for its handheld consoles, so when the Switch was announced, some Gameboy and 3DS owners initially wondered if it was worth it.

Indeed, in terms of portability, the Switch was clearly inferior to the same 3DS. If only because it is an order of magnitude larger. It is not so easy to put it in your pocket on the way to friends. Be sure to need a cover, and for him — a backpack or bag.

3DS and Switch, the size difference is really big 3DS and Switch, the size difference is really big

There are also purely ideological reasons why the original Switch was a hybrid console and not a portable one. Many of its «chips» are aimed at using the console at home.

But for portable gaming enthusiasts, they may well be unnecessary. For example, why do you need to connect to a TV if the console is only used when traveling and visiting friends?

Thus, the new console is not designed to compete with the original, but to satisfy those who 100% prefer portable gaming. That’s why the Switch Lite needed to be released.

What have we lost…

The most important and most noticeable difference is the absence of hybrid functions. A feature of the original Nintendo Switch is the ability to play both in portable mode and in stationary mode by connecting the console to the docking station.

Also, Lite does not have separate JoyCon controllers — they are, as it were, built into the case, being one with it. They have the same shape and button layout, but you can’t detach the “sidewalls”.

And they also seem to be prone to stick issues if the news is to be believed, though we haven’t found any yet.

At the same time, Lite lost the much-touted HD Rumble vibration technology. However, even on a standard Switch, it is far from being available in all games, and besides, many turned it off (including the author of these lines) in order to save battery.

For some reason, «Lite» also cannot be connected to the charging dock, although this is most likely due to the smaller size of the set-top box.

…And what did you get

Is everything so bad? Not really. The Switch Lite is a complete portable console with many benefits.

First of all, it is a smaller size. Those who played the original for a long time probably know how their hands become numb after five hours of continuous play. We have to lower the console lower to make it more convenient to keep it on the weight, but then the neck already begins to numb, as you need to tilt your head.

Lite is much lighter. While the original console with Joycons attached weighs almost 400 grams, the Light weighs only 275, which is almost 30% less. But it is more convenient to play on it not only because of this. Due to the smaller size in width (24 cm versus 21 cm), it is simply easier to keep it on weight.

In addition, Lite is an order of magnitude more convenient to carry. It fits well in the inside pocket of a winter jacket. In the case, it is also quite compact and will fit in any bag, even a student bag, where there is usually only enough space for a couple of notebooks and stationery.

The Lite itself is slightly larger than a large smartphone, but it’s better to carry it in a caseThe Lite itself is a little larger than a large smartphone, but it’s better to carry it in a case

True, the screen is also smaller, and the bezels, unfortunately , don’t go anywhere. Therefore, in some games, in order to better see the interface, you have to bring the console closer to your face. This is relevant, for example, for