We've heard lots of rumors about a mini Nintendo Switch in recent months, and today that device finally became reality.
The Nintendo Switch Lite will launch on September 20th for $199.99, which is $100 less than the Nintendo Switch's MSRP. It'll be available in three colors: yellow, gray, and turquoise. Nintendo has confirmed it's also cooked up a special Pokemon-themed edition of the Switch Lite, the Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition, which will launch on November 8th for $199.99, one week before the release of the new Pokemon Sword and Shield games.
As its name suggests, the Switch Lite is smaller than the Switch. It's got a 5.5-inch 720p screen, down from the Switch's 6.2-inch 720p display. It lacks the Switch's removable Joy-Con controllers, but the left side of the Switch Lite does feature a full d-pad rather than the four-button d-pad found on the Switch's left Joy-Con. Since its Joy-Cons aren't removable, Nintendo has also removed the kickstand from the Switch Lite.
Nintendo has also confirmed that the Switch Lite lacks the HD Rumble and IR Motion Camera features of the standard Switch.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is meant to be a fully mobile device, and so it does not support video output to a TV and it doesn't come with a dock or HDMI cable. It does offer more battery life than the standard Switch, though, with Nintendo saying it'll get you between 3-7 hours on a single charge while the regular Switch offers 2.5-6.5 hours.
The dimensions of the Switch Lite are 3.6 inches high (91.4mm) by 8.2 inches long (208.28mm) by 0.55 inches deep (13.97mm), and it weighs 0.61 pounds (276.69 grams). To compare, the standard Switch measures 4 inches high (101.6mm) by 9.4 inches long (238.76mm) by 0.55 inches deep (13.97mm), and it weighs in at 0.88 pounds (399.16 grams).
While the Switch Lite is missing some features of the original Switch to help get its price down, it could be a really appealing device for folks who primarily game on the go. The smaller size makes it more portable and the extended battery life means you won't be looking for a charging cable quite as often. Plus, since there aren't any removable Joy-Cons on the Switch Lite, it could feel a bit sturdier than the regular Switch.
What do you think of the Nintendo Switch Lite? Are you thinking about buying one in September?
