Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo unveiled its newest iteration of the Switch console on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, and this version is dedicated to handheld play.

In the video below, Yoshiaki Koizumi, Nintendo’s general producer for the Switch, details the lighter, more compact version of the console. As such, the Lite version will not have detachable joy cons, nor will it include the IR Motion Camera or HD rumble features. A separate set of joy cons are needed in order to play games that require those features. The main unit and control inputs are integrated into one piece of hardware found on the back of the console, the directional buttons have been swapped out for a +control pad, and it cannot connect to a television.

https://youtu.be/59yuBFRSZdg

Nintendo Switch Lite can play all handheld-compatible games in the Switch library, including major titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Koizumi showed off several other games compatible with the Lite, including Yoshi’s Crafted World, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Super Mario Maker 2, Splatoon 2, and the Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee! Pokémon titles. Handheld-compatible games are indicated by an icon on the back of each game’s box.

With Nintendo Switch Lite joining the family, you’ll have an option that’s optimized for handheld play,” says Koizumi.

The Lite will be available in yellow, grey, and turquoise colors, and hits shelves Sept. 20, 2019. It retails for $199.99 USD.

Leah McDonald
Leah's been playing video games since her brother first bought an Atari back in the 1980s and has no plans to stop playing anytime soon. She enjoys almost every genre of game, with some of her favourites being Final Fantasy Tactics, Shadow of the Colossus, Suikoden II and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Leah lives on the East Coast with her husband and son. You can follow Leah over on Twitter @GamingBricaBrac