Nintendo Switch Lite: Buy Or Not?

A week after the Switch Lite announcement, Nintendo announced an upgraded version of the original Switch that will extend battery life, and will launch in mid-August.

A few days ago, Nintendo finally revealed the latest variant of Nintendo Switch called Nintendo Switch Lite. Dropping the most iconic feature is that the Joy-Cons that were on the Nintendo Switch Lite are not as removable as on the original Switch. But it seems that it is also equivalent to the price tag which is certainly cheaper. But who exactly is the Nintendo Switch Lite for?

Reported from Gamerant, in our in-depth comparison of Switch vs. Switch Lite, the biggest difference between the two devices is that the Lite is $100 cheaper. The lack of hybrid functionality has led people to call the Lite, “The Switch that can’t Switch.” But it’s important to remember that Nintendo has implemented this business model before with the release of the 2DS, which is a cheaper variant of the 3DS without 3D functionality, catering to players who just want to play games on that console without the need for 3D features.

Of course, the absence of a hybrid feature on the Switch Lite may not make sense to some, especially those who already own a Switch, but Nintendo has revealed that the Lite isn’t meant to replace the original. The Nintendo Switch Lite was designed as a complementary device for gamers interested in a lower price point. The Lite’s slimmer and smaller screen makes it slightly more portable than its predecessor, and its long battery life will make it a reliable companion for gaming on the go.

However, it’s important to remember that the Switch Lite has built-in Joy-Cons without the removable features like the original Switch. Of course this will be a problem for players who might want to play games like Super Mario Odyssey which require a single Joy-Con to be used sideways on some levels. While this may stop some people from buying the Lite, Nintendo revealed that Lite players can still play these types of games, as long as they purchase separate Joy-Cons and connect them to the Lite wirelessly. But still, this might not be the best solution, given that a pair of Joy-Cons cost around $90 a pair, and it’s probably best to just buy the original Switch instead.

The question is still the same, is the cheaper price of the Switch Lite with the loss of all the most iconic features worth buying? The answer depends on who you ask. For current Switch owners, the Switch Lite doesn’t offer anything new (apart from three new beautiful colors). However, Nintendo is also positioning the Lite as a secondary device for people who already own a Switch and want a separate device for other family members or those who want to use the Lite on the go.

But for players who haven’t bought a Switch yet, and aren’t sure whether to get a flagship or a Lite, then it all depends on your budget and gaming needs. For those of you who have money to burn and want to play every game in the Switch arsenal, then it’s best to buy a genuine Switch. On the other hand, players looking for a straightforward no-frills handheld experience, and don’t care or a small number of games that don’t support it, the Switch Lite is a perfect choice given its affordability, longer battery life, and increased portability.

So how? Do you want to buy Nintendo Switch Lite?

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