The Nintendo Switch Lite has been the talk of the gaming world since its announcement in July 2019. With its compact size, sleek design, and improved battery life, the Switch Lite has been met with much anticipation. But is the Nintendo Switch Lite worth the hype? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features of the Switch Lite to help you decide whether or not it’s worth your money.
Design
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a dedicated handheld gaming system that looks sleek and modern, yet also familiar. The console is smaller and lighter than the original Nintendo Switch, measuring 3.6 inches high, 8.2 inches long, and 0.55 inches deep. It has a plastic body with a matte finish and a D-pad on the left side of the device. The overall design of the Switch Lite is quite comfortable and ergonomic, allowing for hours of gaming without feeling fatigued.
The most notable design change from the regular Switch is that the Joy-Cons are integrated into the device, so they can’t be removed or replaced. This helps make the device more lightweight but also restricts some features that were available on the original console. Additionally, the screen has been reduced from 6.2 inches to 5.5 inches, which makes it easier to play on the go.
Overall, the design of the Nintendo Switch Lite is sleek and well-crafted, making it a great choice for gamers looking for an easy-to-carry console.
Display
The Nintendo Switch Lite boasts a 5.5-inch LCD that offers bright and vivid colors with good contrast levels and viewing angles. The resolution of the display is 720p which allows for sharper images and improved clarity. Despite the smaller display size, the overall picture quality remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. The Switch Lite also supports HDR gaming, allowing games to appear more vibrant and saturated on the screen.
The brightness levels on the Switch Lite are also fairly good, allowing it to be used in a variety of lighting conditions. Furthermore, the Switch Lite features an improved anti-glare coating on the display, making it easier to play in bright environments without any eye strain.
Software
The Nintendo Switch Lite comes with the same software library as the standard Switch. This means that you have access to a wide variety of titles from first-party developers such as Mario, Zelda, Splatoon, and Super Smash Bros. as well as many indie titles.
The Switch Lite also supports the same online features as the standard Switch, including the Nintendo eShop and cloud saves. You can also use your Switch Online subscription to access the NES and SNES Online libraries, as well as multiplayer titles such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The main difference between the two consoles is that the Switch Lite has no kickstand. This means that it’s not possible to play local multiplayer or tabletop games without purchasing additional hardware. However, you can still connect to other Switch systems using a Wireless LAN connection.
Overall, the Nintendo Switch Lite offers a great selection of software, including some of the best titles available for the console. It also supports all of the online features of the standard Switch, making it a great option for those looking for an affordable way to experience the Nintendo Switch library.
Performance
The Nintendo Switch Lite offers a very good performance for a handheld console. It is powered by the same Tegra X1 processor that powers the regular Switch, so it’s no slouch when it comes to performance. The system can handle most of the games available for the regular Switch, and there are no compromises when it comes to game performance. Some games may even run better on the Switch Lite than on the regular Switch due to its slightly improved heat management.
The Switch Lite does have a few limitations in terms of performance. The most noticeable limitation is the lack of support for dock-based features like playing on a TV or connecting to a Nintendo Pro controller. That said, the console still offers excellent gaming performance. Games like Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons all look great and play well on the system.
Overall, the Nintendo Switch Lite offers great performance for a handheld console. While it may not be as powerful as the regular Switch, it still offers plenty of power to play most of the games available for the console. With its improved heat management, some games may even run better than on the regular Switch.
