Verdict
The Nintendo Switch Lite is still as cute as when it first launched , prove a good alternative to the master for children and those that want a more portable equipment . Its low-cost cost does descend with some restrictions , like a lack of telly output , motion controls and limited local multiplayer capabilities , but that does n’t erase its wondrous game depository library and compact blueprint .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Nintendo Switch has been on the market place since 2019 and is the small , more affordable alternative to the vanilla Switch .
The Switch Lite does n’t get nearly as much attention as its two sib , the baseSwitchand shinySwitch OLED . While it does come in with some limitation , it nevertheless boasts a fantastic game subroutine library , including new releases likeKirby ’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe , Bayonetta 3andThe Legend of Zelda : Tears of the Kingdom .
It now benefits from Nintendo ’s latestSwitch Onlineservice , a paid subscription in the same venous blood vessel asXbox Game PassandPlayStation Plus Premium , give user access to games from the NES , SNES , N64 , Sega Mega Drive , Game BoyandGame Boy Advance .
It ’s clear that the Switch Lite still has a lot going for it four years after launching , which is why we wanted to revisit this cabinet and see if it can pile up in the era of theSteam DeckandAsus ROG Ally . It may not be the most hefty handheld on the securities industry , but it ’s surely still the cutest .
Design
To get the obvious out of the way , the Switch Lite is incredibly adorable . It has a chunkier pattern than the base Switch and larger bezels than the Switch OLED , but I guess that just adds to its good luck charm . It can be find in five colourways – grim , yellow , grey , aquamarine and coral – with our poser sporting the turquoise look . It can easily be held in one manus and would be a well fit for littler children than the other models due to this pocket-sized size of it .
It has an identical button layout to its siblings other than the traditional D - Pad on the left - hand side , which I find a lot more enjoyable to utilize than four confused inputs . The buttons themselves feel a little squishier than my even Switch . I did not feel like this resulted in decrease reactivity , in reality feeling more hearty than the heavy inputs on the understructure model .
The most outstanding blueprint change is the deficiency of Joy - Con comptroller since these accountant are fused to the eubstance of the cabinet . While this does have an impact on the performance of some games it does eliminate any inadvertent damage that could be brought about by younger gamers . The console table itself feels sturdier too , but I put that down to the fact that I was n’t apprehensive about breaking the controller dock , a constant worry for me while play on the groundwork model .
Nintendo did update the Switch Lite to patronize Bluetooth , allowing me to game with my wireless earbuds . My experience was unlined and crisp , but I ’m thankful to see the inclusion body of a 3.5 mm audio frequency jack for any wired connections . There is also aUSB - Cport for load , alongside a microSD port to add more memory .
Screen
I was hesitant about the screen sizing of the Switch Lite , which sit at just 5.2 inches compared to the original ’s 6.2 inches . Since it still packs the same 720p resolution it actually looks a little secure than the base fashion model , as the picture element do n’t need to be stretched out quite as much . This ‘ advance ’ is hard to tell apart , but it does mean that you wo n’t postulate to interest about the visuals on screen .
Due to the deficiency of tail abilities , there is no style to upscale any subject matter gamey than 720p . I ’ve play a twosome of titles on the Switch Lite – such as Hades , Animal Crossing : New HorizonsandMario Kart 8 Deluxe – and they all looked gravid , or as great as 720p can count . grant , the Switch OLED will provide a more premium viewing experience thanks to its titular OLED panel , but that does n’t mean that the Switch Lite looks sorry by any means .
This does n’t discount some of the other scruple that show up with the design . When playing secret plan with plenty of text , such asFire Emblem : Three Houses , it can be operose to read smaller serving of text in menus and during dialog panorama . As such , it ’s often necessary to arrest the screen nearer to your face .
Battery life
Battery life for the Nintendo Switch Lite can range between three to seven minute , depending on the game and the smartness volume of the blind .
Unlike the base Switch model , the Lite has not undergo any battery upgrade since its launch , meaning that models grease one’s palms right now will have the same bombardment capacity as the unity that add up out in 2019 .
There are myriad factors to consider when testing a console such as this , so we put the Lite through its tempo through uninterrupted sessions ofSuper Smash Bros UltimateandThe Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild . On the former , the latter tapped out just shy of the four - hour mark during an eight - instrumentalist battle .
Less intensive title such as Undertale and Untitled Goose Game fare well , squelch far more sentence out of the assault and battery . You ’ll notice increase rooter noise and a high temperature towards the top of the unit of measurement while playing more diagrammatically intensive games , but it ’s seldom perturb enough to be an issue .
UI and Social
The touch screen on the Switch Lite spend a penny navigate it dim-witted and streamlined . Switching between drug user is also very easy – up to eight accounts being supported – with users being prompted to pick a profile every metre they start a game or want to get to the eShop .
Screenshots can be taken by weightlift the screenshot release on the left - hand side . Media can be sent directly to social spiritualist or to a headphone via a QR code , with the ability to send it to a laptop or desktop via theUSB - Cport too . Sending media over on theSwitch seriesis a luck round-eyed than using aPS5for example , with the menu and navigation being much uncontaminating .
The Switch is a completely consecrate gaming console table , with no support for apps likeNetflix , Disney Plusor YouTube . This sets it aside from devices like the PS5 andXbox Series Xwhich put a luck more focusing on entertainment beyond gaming . Due to the smaller screen door and barrage fire sprightliness limitations , I have no issue with it being exclusively a gaming machine , but you may need to await towards handhelds like the Steam Deck for a more well - fill out experience .
Nintendo infix a video game subscription divine service in 2017,Nintendo Switch Online . It work in a similar way toXbox Game PassandPlayStation Plus Premium , giving drug user admittance to NES and SNES games , with the Expansion Pack offer up Sega Genesis , N64 , Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles .
It ’s fairly affordable too when compare to other gaming serve . The root rank costs $ 19.99/£17.99/€19.99 a year , with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion pack costing a little more at $ 79.99/£59.99/€69/99 a year .
Games
The Nintendo Switch Lite is anomalous in some regards , largely because it make a small selection of subsist secret plan defunct due to the want of detachable controllers . Titles such asSuper Mario Party , Nintendo Switch Sportsand1 - 2 Switchsimply are n’t stand in handheld way , require individual Joy - Cons to function .
In some cases , this could be remedied by buy and connecting individual controllers , but the lack of a kickstand makes this a very inconvenient solution . Beyond this , the absolute majority of games I try using the Switch Lite worked perfectly , with visuals , controller method and operation living up to the original console table ’s standard .
in the end , if you are well-chosen to go without motion ascendency title and some multiplayer games , the Switch Lite has a massive game library that is well deserving delving into , it will just depend on which game you want to play more .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
The Switch Lite does not pile the same magnate as theSteam DeckorROG Ally , but it ’s more than serviceable for on - the - go gaming . It supports a massive library of games from Nintendo and third parties and has a gravid battery life , and it comes in a tidy sum more colourways than the standard role model .
The independent downfall of the Switch Lite is that it can not be docked to an external television set / reminder and misses out on a pick of motion control games . If you want a more premium experience , you should choose for another handheld console table or splash out on the standardSwitchorSwitch OLED .
Final Thoughts
The Nintendo Switch Lite still hold up as a suitable cabinet within the handheld market a few years after launching . It is an first-class portable console that complicate the display , buttons and overall form gene of its older sibling .
It does give dock play and the Joy - Con controllers of the vanilla extract model , which could be a dealbreaker for some . But if you ’re only concerned in portable playing period and do n’t want to break the bank for the more luxuriousSwitch OLED , then the Switch Lite is a no - brainer .
Trusted Score
How we test
In club to test the Nintendo Switch , we playact a number of games and compared its operation to rival consoles such as the Steam Deck .
We ’ve also made sure to check the latest microcode updates and designing alterations to ensure this review is up - to - particular date for modern - 24-hour interval buyers .
FAQs
The Switch Lite has a smaller silver screen and does not feature the detachable Joy - Con accountant , trammel the playability of motion restraint games . It ca n’t be dock to link up to a goggle box either .
The Switch Lite can be notice in Blue , Yellow , Gray , Coral and Turquoise .
