The long-rumored Nintendo Switch Lite is announced as a smaller more compact handheld. Switch Lite costs less than Nintendo Switch but drops some key features. For $199.99 the handheld only plays games that support handheld mode. It has a smaller screen and comes with a D-pad. Joy-cons are sold separately to play games that won’t support handheld mode.
Nintendo made the situation clear on its official website which leads us to our topic for today. Does the full Switch Lite experience cost pretty much the same as Switch?
Nintendo Switch Lite can play the games in the Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode. For games that do not support handheld mode, players can wirelessly connect compatible controllers (sold separately) to Nintendo Switch Lite. If using separate Joy-Con controllers, users will need to have a device to recharge them, such as the Joy-Con Charging Grip. To find play mode compatibility information for specific games, please refer to the product packaging or Nintendo eShop.
If we look at the numbers, you are paying almost the same for Switch Lite but still getting less in terms of features.
Nintendo Switch Vs Nintendo Switch Lite – Price and Feature Comparison
Nintendo Switch
- TV Mode – Yes
- Table Top Mode – Yes
- All Switch Games Supported
- Comes With a Set of Joy-Con Controllers
- Switch Dock and HDMI cable included
- 4″ high 9.4″ long .55″ deep (with Joy-con attached)
- Weight–.88lbs
- 6.2″ Touch Screen
- Battery Time — 2.5 – 6.5 hours
- Price – $299.99
Nintendo Switch Lite
- TV Mode – No
- Tabletop Mode – No
- Only Supports Handheld Games
- Joy-Cons Not Included
- HD Rumble – No
- IR Motion Camera – No
- Not Compatible With Switch Dock
- 3.6″high, 8.2″ long, .55″ deep
- Weight – .61lbs
- 5.5″ Touch Screen
- Battery – 3-7 hours
- Price – $199.99
Nintendo is recommending you buy Joy-Con Controllers and Charging Grip to get the full experience. On Amazon, a pair of Joy-con controllers go for $59 at the time of this writing. Meanwhile, Charging Grips are available from $33-35. To get the full Switch Lite experience you need to pay extra $92-94 on top of the $199.99 base price.
The question is, the Switch Mini is worth buying? The company recommends buying Charging Grip and Joy Cons separately to play games that don’t support handheld mode. You are paying $292-294 for the “full” experience but still on a smaller screen, without dock support, no rumble, and no IR motion camera.
The handheld makes sense for people on a budget and looking for an entry point into Nintendo gaming. But if you are deciding where to spend your money, Switch or Switch Lite, we suggest going with Nintendo Switch.
