Nintendo Switch Lite Review: An Unapologetic Handheld
Nintendo Switch Lite – Gray
"Small improvements make the Switch Lite a little triumph."
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Comfortable design
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Sharp and vivid display
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Solid battery life
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Bring back the legendary D-Pad
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Affordable
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Slightly smaller game library
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No support for TV mode
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No motion control
This review was last updated on March 27th, 2020 by Lisa Marie Segarra, Gaming Editor of Digital Trends.
With the release of Nintendo Switch – the company's hybrid grab-and-go console – Nintendo finally found a happy medium for console and handheld gamers. The Switch's ability to switch between TV and handheld modes at the touch of a finger was and remains its biggest attraction. Even so, some sacrifices were made to appeal to a wider audience.
The switch isn't as compact as the company's earlier handhelds, like the venerable Nintendo 3DS. It tends to finger cramps during long game sessions and has a short battery life that is not ideal for games on the go. Nintendo removed the ability to switch from the equation and gave us the Switch Lite, an intrepid return to handheld gaming that is a solution to all of these problems.
Small and wild
The Switch Lite dispenses with the Joy-Cons and has an all-in-one design. It is almost an inch shorter and therefore more compact than the original. At 9.7 ounces, it's lighter, but not so strong that it feels weak. Instead, you get a more portable console that you can put in the side pocket of a backpack or bag on the go.
To keep small but nice Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends
Although the Switch Lite is smaller than its predecessor, it is incredibly comfortable to hold. The layout differs slightly because the shoulder buttons are higher and the release buttons are slightly longer than with the normal switch. Instead of the four separate direction buttons of the Joy-Cons, a D-Pad is also introduced.
This ensures a smoother and more precise input, since no divot has to be moved each time a key is pressed. It feels good to play Super Mario Maker 2 levels the way I remember playing classic Super Mario games as a kid. The ergonomic shape of the Switch Lite lies well in your hands. The improved button layout gives the handheld the impression that it was designed for long handheld games.
It was introduced in a small selection of colors – gray, yellow or turquoise – with cream-colored buttons, which represent a nice contrast on the gray console and complement the variants turquoise and yellow. A version of Pokemon Sword and Shield is now available, and Nintendo is likely to have plans for even more colors and designs, and announced a new version of the coral in 2020, a strategy the company used on previous handhelds. With its small size, variety of colors and matt surface, the Switch Lite has an enchanting aesthetic that children and Nintendo fans will love.
In terms of performance and battery life, the Switch Lite has a smaller and more energy-efficient Tegra chip than the original Switch. According to Nintendo, this contributes to a longer battery life. Given that portability is a key feature of Switch Lite, this is definitely one of the most important upgrades to consider.
Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends
According to Nintendo, the Switch Lite will offer around three to seven hours of game time. In comparison, the original switch promised about 2.5 to 6.5 hours. Playing Link & # 39; s Awakening at 50% brightness on the Switch Lite offered about four hours of play. It took about three and a half hours at full brightness.
If you want to pass the time during a commute or if you have to keep the kids (or yourself) busy for a few hours, I would say that the Switch Lite does a stand-up job. It didn't take six hours, but it was a good distraction for a good part of it. I wish the Switch Lite had the same extended battery life as the redesigned Nintendo Switch, but its small size and cheaper price could be the reason why it isn't.
A serious handheld
There are no obvious differences in gaming performance. The properties of Nintendo are still very soft on the Switch Lite. Drifting through Bowser's castle in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still as satisfying as I remember it. Still, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 still suffers from texture loading issues, and the occasional drop in frame rate is barely noticeable in Link & # 39; s awakening. Basically, games that weren't that hot on the original Switch will still not be as good on the Switch Lite.
While playing on my handheld and comparing the two, I found the 5.5-inch touchscreen and 720p resolution of the Switch Lite display to be sharper and more vivid than the screen on the original Switch. This is probably due to what the Switch's native resolution looks like on a smaller screen, but the difference is noticeable.
Livelier and sharper display Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends
Despite their differences, the Switch Lite offers many of the same offerings as the original. The operating system is the same, that is, it has the same functions – and their lack. There is no native chat support (at least not without a little help from game developers) and, as mentioned by Business Insider, still no Bluetooth audio support.
Switch Lite's lack of Bluetooth support for wireless headphones is a potential problem for some, but more environmentally conscious. Wireless earphones contribute to the problem of electronic waste due to their short lifespan and inability to be repaired. And if you really want Bluetooth audio, buy an adapter – one of several cool Switch Lite accessories you'll end up investing in. There is also the included additional connection for wired headphones, which offers better audio for games anyway.
It is also worth noting that the Switch Lite does not support the entire switch library. This makes sense: The Switch Lite does not have a dock, an HDMI output or Joy-Cons. This means that he cannot connect to the TV and has no motion control. By default, only games that can be played in handheld mode are supported. You can find these on the back of the game bag or on the page under the supported game modes in Nintendo eShop.
This has no significant impact on your options. However, if you want to play Just Dance or try Nintendo Labo, you should use the standard switch. As someone who only plays the switch in handheld mode, these options are not missed. You can buy Joy-Cons and see a booth if you are interested in games that require support in tabletop mode. However, this is an additional part of the money exchange out of your pocket that may be better spent on a normal switch.
Our opinion
For handheld players, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a little triumph. Its compact body makes it more portable than the original switch, and its ergonomic design feels good during long gaming sessions. These small improvements combined with the return of the D-Pad and an impressive display make the Switch Lite the best dedicated Nintendo handheld ever.
That said, it's a handheld through and through. Without a dock, HDMI support or Joy-Cons, the Switch Lite does not offer TV support or motion control, which has a minor impact on your gaming options. Battery life could be better, but it's an improvement over the original.
Is there a better alternative?
No, the Nintendo Switch Lite is currently the best handheld you can get. The closest competitors would be the Nintendo 3DS or the PlayStation Vita, but fewer games are released on the 3DS and the PS Vita is no longer supported by Sony. Both are dated compared to the Switch Lite.
How long it will take?
Nintendo systems have a 12-month warranty that covers defects, but no physical damage. In terms of relevance, the Switch Lite has the potential to hold on to the next generation of Nintendo consoles. As the Sony PS5 and Xbox Scarlett hit the market next year, popular first-party exclusive products and an ever-expanding game library make the Switch Lite a remarkable option, especially for gamers looking for a dedicated handheld.
Should you buy it
Yes. The Switch Lite is the best handheld console you can buy today, and possibly the best ever made.
Updated March 27, 2020: Updated information about the new Coral Switch Lite model.
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