Since the 20. September sees the launch of the new Nintendo console, the Nintendo Switch Lite! I have actively tested this handheld console. After this review, you will know who the console is suitable for and what distinguishes it from the normal Switch.
The novelty
In March 2017, the Nintendo Switch was released, a console that stood out from other consoles with a very special feature. With the Nintendo Switch, as the name suggests, you could switch. You could play on the TV and switch to handheld mode within seconds. On 20. September 2019 was the day: the second console in the Switch family was released.
The facts
The Nintendo Switch Lite is currently available in turquoise, gray and yellow. It weighs approx. 275 grams, that is approx. 22 grams less than the normal Switch. The battery lasts approx. three to seven hours, and the screen resolution is 1,280 x 720. However, the Lite has neither HD vibration nor an IR motion camera.
The switch feature
The Nintendo Switch Lite is not quite as true to its name as the normal Switch, as the Switch feature is no longer available. At first glance, this seems pointless, but if you look at it more closely, it is understandable. The Lite looks very similar to the normal Switch, and all Switch games can also be played on the Lite.
The practical test
I played the games “Zelda: breath of the wild”, “Zelda: Links awakening”, “Splatoon 2”, “Tetris 99” and “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” on the Lite. And yes, I think that gave me a good overview.
I really enjoyed playing on the Lite, as I generally like to play in handheld mode and the regular Switch just doesn’t feel good in my hands. I was also very happy with the battery life: I was able to play “Breath of the wild” for a good hour longer with the Lite. You might think that an hour wouldn’t make that much of a difference, but battery life plays a major role, especially when you’re on the move.
In general, the Nintendo Switch Lite is much more portable than the normal Switch; it is smaller, which is a huge advantage when traveling. But you also have to bear in mind that a very small console doesn’t suit every gamer. For example, if you want to play “Mario Kart” at home in front of the TV with friends, the Lite is not recommended. The Lite is much more suitable for people who want to play their favorite games alone and on the go. It is very important to mention that the Lite is not intended to replace the normal Switch, but rather to provide an inexpensive alternative to it. Since most cool games are now only released on the Switch, it’s hard to avoid buying a Lite. However, the Nintendo Switch Lite still has very few accessories at the moment – I had to put my Lite in my spare case for the normal Switch to protect it because there is no corresponding case for it yet.
As already mentioned, there are only three colors (turquoise, yellow, grey), but this will change from the 15th century onwards. November changes. A fourth version is coming out for the release of the new Pokémon game. This fourth version is light gray with blue and red buttons. The two new Pokémons are printed on the back. For Pokémon fans, this version is certainly more appealing than the others.
The bottom line
I can highly recommend the Nintendo Switch Lite: for people who already own a Switch, but also for newcomers who have never had a Switch before. The problem with accessories will soon no longer be an issue, as the release of the new Pokémon generation will bring new cases onto the market. The Lite is not intended to replace a Nintendo console, but is a cheaper and smaller version of the normal Nintendo Switch.