It was quite the stroke of genius on Nintendo’s part to introduce the Nintendo Switch, providing the perfect middle ground between handheld and console platforms. The red-slash-blue console has certainly found favour among gamers, and now it’s set to welcome a new sibling to the family – the handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite.
Primed for release on September 20, 2019, it can be likened to a Switch exclusively tailored to handheld play only, and is set to be come in three colours: yellow, gray, and turquoise.
Compared to its larger counterpart, the Switch Lite is presented in a smaller cut, measuring 3.6 inches high and 8.2 inches long, alongside a 5.5-inch touchscreen. The former, meanwhile, sports a 4-inch-high, 9.4-inch-long body with a 6.2-inch screen.
Where there’s reduced size, a price decrement is expected. The 280g handheld console will be retailing at US$199.99, which is about US$100 lower than the price of a standard Switch.
Those aren’t the only differences, however. In addition to boasting a more affordable price tag and a smaller build, it won’t have the detachable Joy-Con controllers, a dock, and the TV Mode feature as well, although it does sport a longer battery life.
With the Switch Lite modelled after the original, it’s only natural for individuals to display curiosity over the games list. As it stands, the new member is able to support selected titles, as detailed on the official Nintendo website:
Nintendo Switch Lite can play the games in the Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode.
For games that do not support handheld mode, players can wirelessly connect compatible controllers (sold separately) to Nintendo Switch Lite. If using separate Joy-Con controllers, users will need to have a device to recharge them, such as the Joy-Con Charging Grip.To find play mode compatibility information for specific games, please refer to the product packaging or Nintendo eShop.
– The official Nintendo website on game compatibility.
Nintendo also has another treat in store for fans of the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield. Come November 8, 2019, the Switch Lite will be transformed into a limited-edition light gray-adorned console with red/pink and blue buttons in the shade of Legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta. Flip to the rear, and the graceful silhouette of the coveted duo serves to drive home the whole themed motif.
The news drop is most definitely a pleasant surprise – albeit a sudden one. It’s a little strange to see the ‘Switch’ part in its name, especially since this is unable to, well, switch between handheld and TV mode, but hey, it’s probably all part of the same naming convention at this juncture anyway.
Nintendo has addressed that the release of Switch Lite is meant to capitalise on the initial success, but with titles like The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening coming right up (on the same day as the Switch Lite, in fact), the team’s future sure is looking bright.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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