Nintendo Switch has been a huge success for House of Mario and has captured the hearts (and hands) of millions of gamers who love the hybrid console for its ability to deliver gaming on the go and a couch-lock experience on the big screen. As great as the original Switch was, Nintendo is a company that has pretty much become the leader in dedicated wearable experiences. With the Nintendo DS and 3DS line of consoles holding on to the handheld crown for an impressive amount of time, it seemed inevitable that Nintendo would eventually go ahead and release a handheld-only Switch. And in September 2019, it did just that with the Nintendo Switch Lite, marketed as a smaller, lighter alternative to the original Nintendo Switch. So is the new Switch Lite the console for you? Or are you more adapted to the original? Well, we're going to take a look at the similarities and differences between each model, hopefully helping you choose the Nintendo Switch console that's best for you, or just answering any questions you might have.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: price
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Image Credit: Nintendo (Image Credit: Nintendo) The current Nintendo Switch model retails for $299 / £279.99 / AU$469, with plenty of options included. For that price, you get the console, two Joy-Con controllers, a docking station, and associated cables. The bundles tend to include very popular games like Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Pokemon Sword and Shield, or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, all of which are great games to start with. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch Lite is selling for the lowest price of $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.95 for the console only. The console is all about portable gaming, so it doesn't have a docking station or detachable Joy-Con controllers (more on that later), but bundles with the most popular games can be found. At most retailers, the games that come with them usually add a bit more to the cost. Aside from the bundles, the console prices alone show that the Switch Lite costs less than the original version. If you're not interested in the Switch's TV-out capabilities, it's worth saving to go for the Switch Lite, as it might be enough to get you a few more games. The best Nintendo Switch deals of the day The best Nintendo Switch Lite deals
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: design
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Image credit: TechRadar (Image credit: Future) Arguably the Switch's main selling point is the console's versatility. You can use your console to conquer Hyrule in The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild on your morning commute, before plugging in your console when you get home to play with your Joy-Con or standalone Pro controller. It's instant and almost feels magical when you transfer your game from the device screen to the TV and vice versa. Nintendo chose to forgo this hybrid feature on the cheaper Nintendo Switch Lite. It has Joy-Con attached controllers and can't connect to a TV, and while that might be a deal breaker for many, we think it could be very appealing to existing and new customers. For example, the bright colors really help give it a more toy-like feel that young players will find appealing. Between yellow, gray, coral and turquoise, there is plenty of room to express yourself, but without changing your joy as you wish. The lower price is ideal for those looking for a second device for a younger child, or just a console they can carry more easily - the more plastic Switch Lite with fewer moving parts feels a bit more durable than its bigger brother. Although the controllers are patched, they mostly offer the same buttons as the original Switch, except the A, Y, B, X buttons have been replaced with a D-Pad, while some features have been removed which we'll come back to later. brief. . Both models also allow for wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, and the use of MicroSD cards to augment the console's meager 32GB of storage.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: screen
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Image Credit: Nintendo (Image Credit: Nintendo) The Nintendo Switch offers a 6.2-inch LCD screen, with a maximum resolution of 720p. With PlayStation and Xbox chasing higher and higher pixel counts, 720p definitely doesn't seem ambitious, but the system's string of high-quality exclusives belies any technical shortcomings. Of course, it's also possible to dock the console for 1080p output; It's not 4K, but it's a bit sharper when stretched out across your TV or monitor of choice. The Switch Lite's lower price means the system has to be scaled down, and while the screen is still an LCD with capacitive touch functionality (and hits the same 720p resolution), it's a bit smaller than on the Switch Lite. 'Original, measures 5.5 inches. Still, it'll be great for younger siblings to fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the go.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: games
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Image Credit: Nintendo (Image Credit: Nintendo) This is arguably where things get a bit tricky, given the difference between the feature sets of the two consoles. Because the Switch Lite's controllers are fixed, they don't offer HD Rumble, motion controls, or the IR motion camera found on the older model's Joy-Con. This means that any game that requires any of these kit pieces will require an additional pair of Joy-Con controllers to be wirelessly connected. This means that Snipperclips (and the Plus version) and Mario Tennis Aces will require additional controllers for those playing on Nintendo Switch Lite. But that is not all. Since many games require separate Joy-Con controllers, the following items are not suitable for Switch Lite: Labo, 1-2 Switch, and Super Mario Party kits. Perhaps the biggest problem is that games may eventually be released that aren't compatible with the Switch's handheld mode, meaning you won't be able to play them on the Switch Lite. It seems unlikely, but consider a world where the next big Mario platformer requires full Joy-Con support and you might feel like you're missing something. Also note that the Joy-Con is charged by connecting to the Nintendo Switch or via the charging stand. If you only have the Lite, you'll need to invest in the charging stand.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite: software and interface
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Image Credit: Nintendo Switch (Image Credit: Future) The console's interface is much easier to explain. The Switch offered a clean and arguably simple user interface, which has seen only minor incremental updates in the last two years, and the Lite will offer the same functionality. This means that you will have your friends list, your titles and the eShop with just one click or press of a button. You can share screenshots, stay up to date with the latest Nintendo news, and access your settings just like you can on the full Switch. You'll be able to play multiplayer games like Splatoon 2 with friends no matter which model of Switch you're using, though a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required. It currently costs $3.99 / $3.49 / AU$5.95 per month, $7.99 / $6.99 / AU$11.95 for 90 days, or $19.99 / $17.99 / AU$29.95 per year – a family plan with eight accounts will cost you $34.99 / €31.49 / AU€54.95. Whether you have a Nintendo Switch or a Nintendo Switch Lite, you'll be able to enjoy online gaming, cloud saves, and exclusive member offers. The big draw here is the ability to play NES games, while all you masochists will also get access to Nintendo's awful smartphone app. So there you have it, two Switch models to agonize over on your next vacation. Which one are you going to jump on? Fortunately, whatever you choose, you'll be able to play a huge library of great games.