It's an incredibly busy (and expensive) day for Nintendo fans, with a number of great games and even a brand new console all being released on the same day. Yes, the Switch Lite is finally here, and we want to know just how popular it is right now on day one.
A smaller, cheaper version of the standard Nintendo Switch, the Switch Lite is dedicated to handheld play and is available in Grey, Turquoise and Yellow at launch. Doing away with the ability to 'switch' between handheld and docked modes altogether, we imagine the new console will be best suited for those who never really use the TV anyway, or perhaps for those who want a second Switch for when they're out and about.
We're going to keep this one nice and simple, but feel free to expand upon your answer in the comments below:
We've got a full, hands-on review of the new Switch Lite should you want to read up on it before casting a vote, and if you're still on the lookout for a Switch Lite of your own, we've been keeping track of a variety of retailers who are offering the console right here.
Keep checking back to keep an eye on the results!
Comments 166
I play on the TV too much for this to be a good purchase for me personally. If it had an HDMI port, I would have absolutely considered it.
Wait, why there is a Light Blue color of Switch Lite on above instead of Turquoise color ?? 😲
Id always go for the switching model, or even better a pro - this is good for younger players I imagine
If Nintendo didn't just put out a revised model I would say yes. As we are now I don't think we need a third Switch in the home but if either of my younger 2 want one then this would be it.
This model of the switch would be absolutely perfect if it could actually.....switch.
After recently travelling abroad on a holiday I've come to the conclusion that while the base Switch is fine for portable use at home, I think it's a bit too big and cumbersome for taking in a backpack and using on a train, plane etc.
I think the size of the Lite is perfect for me who is out and about a bit more often. Nice that theres options at least.
Mite go shops in a mo to get one and links awakening. But feel guilty I guess. I’m about 5 hours into judgement and have loads in backlog so I just feel do I need more and more? X
I travel for work, sometimes for weeks at a time, so this is the perfect way for me to bring the switch along with me without stealing the one at home from my Fiancee while i'm gone. Plus now we will finally be able to play stardew valley coop!
also @Anti-Matter the turquoise just always looks different depending on the lighting it's in and the camera used to take the picture. I've seen multiple reviews that note none of the colors seem to look the same in person as they do in the marketing.
poll is a bit silly as most people coming to this site already have a switch, lite is only for kids
Maybe. Not sure yet. We might get another one for Christmas so the kids stop fighting... me... for the Switch... Not sure if it will be a normal or Lite one.
No I'm not buying something that takes away the consoles unique selling point.....
I'm waiting for switch pro or 2.
Whatever they call it, but the switch definitely needs a bump and processor and RAM, additional RAM would make a huge difference. So many games have trouble streaming data it would be so nice to just be able to pack it all in the round
Still unsure. This would be a perfect gift for the kid (to keep him off of my Switch), but the wife and I haven't discussed Xmas presents for him yet.
@Scorchio Exactly, the lite is perfect for travelling, commuting and playing in bed. All this rubbish about the lite being for kids is a load of balls. Was the 3ds just for kids or was Trix just for rabbits? No
Got the Pokémon Sword/Shield Lite on preorder for October!
I really like the smaller form factor und would probably take it with me more often that way but it would have to sync perfectly with my switch at home and it just would not work the way it is (for me)... I don't want to always check if everything synced right or push savegames around for games that don't support cloud saves... I think it probably works as a standalone device if you play portable only but it does not work as a secondary device
@Scorchio same reason i just bought one. for travel the normal switch is a bit large. not to mention the locking mechanism on the joycons isn’t as robust as one would like.
I'll get one eventually, I'm just waiting for some different color options to come along. I've always gone with either red, purple, or retro themed designs for my handhelds so I'm waiting for a Switch Lite in one of those colors/styles. Until then I'm pretty content with my regular Switch and Mario Odyssey Red JoyCons. =)
Nope, because my biggest complaints with the handhelds i've had over the decades is that the joysticks and buttons get worn out. The replaceable joy cons are one of my favorite things about the OG Switch.
@jockmahon why is it only for kids? is a smaller switch. adults can use those as well
For the way I play I prefer the regular switch. Anyway I really like it.
Resounding no. It's inferior to my current Switch, so I've got no reason to buy one.
I'll probably get my friend one though, she doesn't play on big screens so handheld is her creed. She can't afford one herself so she's still playing 3DS. Might surprise her for her birthday with a lite + Pokémon Sword.
Maybe later. Too much other stuff dropping this month to buy a second console. The nice thing about being patient is you'll get an opportunity for different special editions down the road.
I never interested to play with Tv,have ben waiting for this Lite. It's mine
I’m getting the Pokémon one for myself as an early Christmas present. Then I don’t have to fight with my kids to play our Switch.
Traded my old one in for the later version regular Switch. Not fully convinced it was worth it but 5 hours on the go is pretty sweet. I can’t justify getting the light as well though
There isn't a single reason for me to get one. I'd much rather spend 200 dollars on games. And counting Dragon Quest next week, I basically will have this month.
The Switch Lite is a strictly inferior product, there is no reason to buy one if you already have a Switch and, in my opinion, very little reason to consider the Lite even if you don't.
The only way I would get one is if my oldest kid was ready to have one. That won't be for a couple more years though. She is still rough on her things.
Yes, I want to try out. If I don't like the system. I'lll give to my nephew. The primary non primary ( game sharing , save data ) what a mess...
I play docked mode 90% of the time and have no desire to own two Switches. The only way I could see the Switch Lite being worth it is if you live in a house where there's a big family and one TV (in other words, you may not be able to use the TV a lot of times), or most of you gaming time is one the go such as someone who rides a commuter train everyday. Otherwise, just get a regular Switch.
Utterly pointless, give me a more powerful version.
Getting one for my soon-to-be 15 year old sister next year. This is gonna be exciting!
I would have said Yes, a few days ago. The Switch is a 99% handheld for me. I use my time at home to play all the 3rd party games that are not on Switch.
But, I got my HORI Split Pad this week and Loving my "old" Switch as a handheld right now.
I was going to get one as a 2nd Switch, until I realised that I'd be locked out of my save games when using my primary account on a 2nd Switch with any digital games purchased from other regions using other accounts... 😩 (Plus, I'm just not a fan of the warmer screen they are using now...)
The Switch's main selling point was you can play it at home or on the go. This is a Switch that can't switch. So, no
Mostly play mine handheld but this would feel like a downgrade. I’ll hold out for a Pro version or maybe switch to the current Red Box version for better battery life.
@Savino
You are right most games have fewer graphics in handheld mode. If we had a Switch Pro EA may put Madden, Need for Speed and more current Star Wars games.
Already delivered
If it could connect to the TV, I would consider it. But Switch is my only console, so having it able to play on the TV is a must, even if that's only like 25% of the experience for me. I do love the colours of the Lite, though.
I don't need it but might get one on impulse. I just love the blue color and the smaller size. Plus the fact that it's a solid unit.
The only reason I would buy it is if it were a gift for someone. A few people I know want one, but they also want to play on their TV, so currently, a gift of a Switch would be a full regular Switch or upcoming Switch Pro (the latter being for me first of course). No Switch Lite for anyone now.
Nope, don't see the value in it as I already have an original and with obviously something in the works happening sooner than later to keep up with the market and game conversions it seems wasteful.
Nintendo designed the Switch as a home console that was also portable. But it soon became a handheld portable console that connects to a big TV screen.
So Nintendo said the original Switch IS Nintendo's Home Console and to prove it they gave us a smaller version that won't connect to a TV.
But neither are as portable as a smartphone or ds.
YES, I think next month
I wish it would still dock for TV play............so for that reason I'm a no
I’m gonna give it a try. Should be here around lunch time from Amazon.
Don't really want an HD Gameboy.
No point for me,I prefer playing on the TV and have the option for handheld when I need to
I’ve still got my day one Switch and see no reason to buy the Lite - the facts it doesn’t even Switch just makes it a nonsense purchase for me.
A Switch pro or proper full upgrade to Switch 2 will catch my eye though for sure.
Bought one for the wife who games on the couch beside me and is super into Stardew Valley. She won't really care that it's not on the bigscreen and we have mine to play party games when the mood fits. So thsi is a perfect thing for the two of us. I' ordered it on Amazon, expected arrival date tomorrow. Come on Amazon, hurry up!!
The lite is nice handheld, great even. But for me, as a Switch owner, there is absoluty no reason to buy the Lite. In the Netherlands there is a gameshop were you can exchange your regular Switch for a Lite without any costs. Ofcourse your Switch has to be in a perfect condition, but I just can’t imagine that you would trade your Switch in for a Lite.
Maybe the warranty could be a reason, but beyond that… There is no added value for me. But I do like the D-pad
My husband and I have had our Nintendo Switches since launch and have yet to have any problems. The Switch Lite would have been perfect for my sister since she only used handheld systems. Sadly she no longer plays video games.
We use to play Animal Crossing: New Leaf together all the time. Makes me sad that we won’t be playing together when New Horizons comes out.
I have a first gen Switch and very satisfied with it. So it’s a no for me
However if my kids want one for Christmas then the Lite is what I’ll get for them.
Got my yellow one
Apparently the dpad is rubbish 👎
Yes. Ordering mine next month and finally upgrading from my 3ds
I love playing on my TV too much! So no
Total ***p the only good thing about it is the colours
If it supported TV mode it'd be totally worth a buy for me. I'd be fine if it just ran TV mode in 720p instead of 1080, but not having it an option at all is a big deal breaker.
@BarefootBowser gamexplain
@Savino well said. handshake
Gimping a console isn't, "innovation".
No because I already have a switch, and I play on the tv more than anything.
Nope. I'm perfectly fine with my original switch, besides i play almost exclusively docked.
I don't want one, and I don't really see the appeal. It's cheaper, but, it's missing a lot of functionality. The product isn't really for me since I play on TV, but even if I was a portable-only person, I think I'd prefer a clamshell design so I can put it in my pocket without worrying about scratching the screen.
I play as many games as I can with gyro aiming/pointing, and some game mostly make sense on the big screen, so I'm not the target audience for this one.
Getting one for my son...
@BarefootBowser 🤷♂️
I already own the normal one, so no thanks.
That thing is more for casual gamers and children, I think. Which is a HUGE market, I must say, so it actually make sense.
As much as I like the look of the console and the price, the premise of never, ever being able to play my games on the TV and potentially getting stuck with a drifting analog stick that can’t be replaced have put me off altogether.
Great idea for a poll, ask a load of tech heads who will only buy a new Switch if it has more power than an Xbox one s, and the results are.......
If it were a Switch Pro I’d be tempted but since its not no.
Simply no. I will wait for the next gen Switch . I can wait. I hope older games will be compitable with the new Switch in the future... PS5 will be ps4 compitable and I read only digital. Means people bought physical are FORCED to buy it digital. I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo will do the same thing. So better save up your money!
Yep! Grey Lite, Case, Hori clear protector and screen protector en route from Amazon to my job as we speak. I’m still debating if I’ll transfer from my launch day model or just make a second account to use as a primary for the Lite. I also will be getting the Sword and Shield Lite in November
Nah... not sure of the joy con drift issue yet and even though I play like 99% handheld, I still like the option of TV out.
A shame because I would not be against a more portable option but features being taken out isn't gonna help sell this to me.
@Doggedfrog Maybe New Horizons will be your chance to get her back into it? That being said, your profile pic is absolutely adorable!
Switch Lite is a nope for me. I do have a regular Switch and while I'm kind of forced to do my gaming in handheld mode these days being able to play on a TV is a must-have for me, especially when visitors are over. I have no reason to buy a second console especially if my current one has more - and very notable - features (no clamshell design on a portable-only device doesn't help either but that's no full-blown argument against either model since that's not what I buy Nintendo platforms for).
Personal stance aside, I do hope everyone who gets a Switch Lite will have a blast with it!
@Scorchio Completely agree. Just collected my Switch Lite this morning and have made it my primary console. It is so much lighter than the OG Switch and can fit easily in a pocket. Also, Nintendo has made digital sharing easy, so I was easily able to sync up all my saves. Now I have the best of both worlds by using both systems.
Nope not for me. Will get a new switch next year.
@Dragonslacker1
check out Currys deal
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/gaming/gaming-consoles/nintendo-switch-lite-the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening-bundle-turquoise-10198475-pdt.html
No and even if I didn't already have the normal switch I wouldn't get this over the original . Shop around and can get a lot better deal on the older model with some games
The life should of been another £50 cheaper to compete with what's missing
Did they ever retool the thumbpads so that wear issue doesn't happen? They're handling of the actual Joy-cons was not encouraging.
Nope.
I may, but highly unlikely. It doesn't switch. Plus, if I even cosider it, a big prerequisite is the absence of joycon drift.
Yes, getting a turquoise one per my daughter's request for her birthday present. I just hope the lack of TV connection doesn't annoy her. She and her sister play a few games with me on my 1st gen Switch on the TV...
Want circle pad version.
@KarateLuigi I’ve been trying but she’s pretty set on not playing it. They released the one on phones so now she want to sell her Switch And thanks! I always have a Pikachu in my team if I have the option.
Traded my launch switch for the revision battery life is king for me was set to get one until the Revised version was announced
No Switch Lite for me. I'm saving my Rupees to pick up the slight revision of the original in a couple of months.
For those buying a Switch Lite today: have fun, and enjoy your purchase!
If not this Christmas, I’ll get the improved Switch model next year. This Switch Less seems like an awful deal to me.
“My switch is better then your switch.” Meanwhile at Nintendo - “Hey another truck full of money showed up, where should we put it?”
I can barely read things on the full sized Switch in handheld mode, why would I want an even smaller screen? Call me back when they make Nintendo Switch: Large Print Edition because I am apparently at that age now.
Nope. It's useless in my household. I mostly play docked and my daughters mostly play games that need the joycons.
Someone in the forum thinks that the higher no votes almost seem to make the graph resemble a middle finger. I don't see it. Don't worry, I told them to grow up
Got the Pokemon-version on pre-order for Christmas. So getting it, just not for a few months.
No. I've always had home consoles that were connected to my tv/monitor and the Switch is no exception. Although i do play in handheld from time to time i could totally live without the option. The only new Switch i'll buy is the Pro version and the current one will go on sale. Even if the the Pro is a home-only version.
I voted yes because I don't have a Switch of my own yet and I think that this model is better for handheld mode and reminds me of the Vita and I have an Xbox One X better suited for the 4K TV. The original Switch is too clunky and I hate the joy-cons. I'm only hoping that the Lite doesn't have drift issues.
Yup. I have my launch model, the new faster one, and now the turquoise lite. Love it!
I'm fully aware I actually don't need any of these. Lol
@jockmahon Lite isn't only for kids lol
I actually want one, but I'm holding off hoping that they a) release an orange one, b) don't have stick drift, and c) enable multiple primary consoles for a single user. Don't want a portable system tethered to an internet connection to be able to play games!
@Syndrome Oh dear, I didn't think of that possibility. I hope the rumored pro version will still be able to Switch modes. I actually wouldn't get it if it couldn't play handheld mode.
I already own two OG switches and have no reason to purchase another console with less options.
@readyletsgo The new faster one? Don't you mean the new one with longer battery life? Or did they actually increase processing speed?
I'm not the intended audience. If they do a Pro version that will be for me. I want to listen with my bluetooth earbud.
If they had more internal storage I'd get it for my kids.
The Switch is my main console, I spend well over 90% of the time playing it docked. The Lite a good product, I am just not the target audience this time.
I’m getting one, but I’m holding out to see if Animal Crossing gets a special edition.
No, I don't need one. The Switch I have is fine for what I use it for, including portability. Even then, I still can't see the Switch in any form completely replacing the 3DS for me as my primary portable.
@Mr_Muscle yup it's a tiny bit faster with the newer smaller processer on it. Nothing crazy or anything, just a little bit more efficient is all.
I did notice botw loads a tiny bit faster on it.
@BlueOcean I've been thinking the Switch should upgrade to 4K output. Games look fine on a big 4K, but could look way better. I saw NHK World say the that 8K TV broadcasting starts in Japan in December. I'm hoping that's a sign of how things are in Japan in general, and that Nintendo will upgrade the Switch to 4K output.
I'm delighted that it's out and that it can reach both a younger and more casual audience. I'm happy enough with my current switch though until a pro model gets released down the line. I do really hope that this model gets great sales as the more the merrier
@readyletsgo Oh, that's cool! Nice to know.
I bought the Lite in a deal at Curry's in the UK, £199.99 including Link's Awakening... and then sold the Lite in my office for £190
I was tempted to keep the Lite for the train.... but just couldn't justify it, and I love being able to take the joy cons off. Still £10 for Zelda - get in!
My pre-order is scheduled for delivery. I gladly trade in the console capabilities for a more portable portable. While technically it can do less I will definitely use it more than my original Switch.
I've got plenty of options if I want to play games on TV, the loss of the switching element is a non-issue for me. Besides all the Switch games I own feel like handheld games anyway, playing The Messenger, Deadcells, Hyperlight Drifter and Celeste types games don't really work for me on TV.
@Mr_Muscle glad I could help 👍👍👍😊
No reason to, I like the idea but my original Switch is still working great .
I like the Lite but I like playing on the TV too much to give up that feature.
I tried it out yesterday, it fits better in my hands, the texture is nice, the screen is still clear, though smaller and it feels like it would be more comfy in long sessions.
But am I prepared to deal with all the issues of keep ensuring my data is saved before jumping back to the TV? No. Plus I bought the original Switch for the very reason it was portable.
Of course, when Animal Crossing comes along and they do a special edition Switch Lite I may throw all that out the window
No reason for me, my normal Switch even while bigger works fine and can do more.
No. But ask me in a year, if the kids start asking for one (and the eldest may be by then) it’ll be a Lite they get.
Nice product, I’m just not the target audience quite yet.
Waiting for the Pokemon version. Way better colour
It's a really nice machine if you want portable only, but I like being able to customise my Switch with different Joy Con combinations.
I'm personally waiting for a Switch Pro, I want it so much. I really would like it if the console could do at least native 1080p docked. For the first year or so we were getting a fair amount of 900p or higher games, but now those resolutions keep on getting lower. As a 4K TV owner it is frustrating (sorry if I sound entitled!). 1080p still looks great on a 4K TV, but when you go lower than that it starts to look a little rough.
A Switch Pro that actually ran games at native 720p portable and 1080p or more docked would be really lovely. It would also be cool if the chip upgrade allowed for things like checkerboard/sparse rendering, meaning we could games looking a lot crisper, even if the native res is not really high. Other stuff - CPU needs a big boost and I reckon they should double the RAM. Also decent Wi-fi and Bluetooth chips would be nice.
A man can dream, even with all its flaws, this is still probably my favourite console ever!
Bought the grey one, I love it already! It'll go everywhere with me.
Got mine yesterday (thanks Amazon for the early delivery!) and I must say I absolutely love it. Here are my initial thoughts a few hours in.
Overall as my "travel Switch" this thing is absolutely perfect. Also, I can give to my son from time to time without too much fear of complete destruction, lol.
What? These came out like 2 weeks ago...am I missing something?
I'd rather get a newly developed console a few months after its release; just so they can work out any bugs that need to be fixed.
Yes but not now, maybe during the holiday.
i just wish this form factor was in a switch that could also connect to a TV... i don't like giving up that feature
No way. The name "Switch" doesn't even fit this handheld only model. I love playing in docked mode on the tv whenever I get the chance to, so that reason alone is enough to keep my original Switch. It's so much more versatile too with the detachable joycons, and motion control-only games can't be played on the Lite. I'll wait for a Switch Pro.
I think it's a great option for homes that only have one teevee but need a second Switch. This is particularly true in homes with children; hence the vibrant colours and the lower price point. I think Nintendo has a winner on its hands with this one.
The dock holds my Switch just fine, my shorts not so much, so absolutely I’m picking one up today. I’m a regular commuter gamer, so it’s more important that the portability is optimized over the TV-ability since my TV will never travel, not even once! It’s always at home!
Yes, but in Nov with the Pokemon ZZ version.
So happy to have a Switch that is far more portable
My 15-year old thought the Switch Lite looked really cool until I told him it couldn't be connected to an external display. He looked at me and said, "Well that's stupid." I had to agree.
Most definitely. Got the Pokémon one on preorder (and the DQXIS special edition v2 Switch with double battery), but I caved in and pre-ordered the gray Switch Lite a few days ago. I want one that’s classy and low profile without loud colors for playing in public. I ordered that slim flip case from Japan so it can be pocketable.
It’s arriving today. Of course I was always going to grab the true successor to the 3DS, the next generation of Nintendo handheld. I’m just glad that their dedicated handheld and console now both play the same games. That means each platform will get twice as many games as having to split games among them like in Generations past.
It looks lovely but I wish it could be connected to a TV.
@johnvboy I can’t believe after 2.5 years people still haven’t got their heads around the limits of the Switch.
I wanted to initially but I realized I play on TV quite a bit and my normal Switch works just fine on my daily commutes. Maybe I will get one in the future if there is a special edition I'm interested in but for now I'm good.
Bought one today. I travel a lot, so this will be perfect for me, because my wife likes to play the one at home.
Nah but I'll take a pro when it comes.
As a one time Vita fan, Im interested in this, as is pretty much the Nintendo Vita. I think about the cost and the games though, and I think Id still rather take my 2DSXL about with me as it has the amazing DS Library and loads of great exclusives. For the moment Im still not sold on the Switch, Id rather play PS4 at home and 2DS as a hand held.
I do wonder whether they would consider a cheap 'home only' Switch like the PSTV, as an alternative to this hand held only option.
Well I have opened one and had a feel of the unit. Persuaded me to buy it as a second switch for travel. But not yet. Next summer.
As I am upgrading to the better battery model and giving my launch day switch to mum preloaded with all the mario games as it’s her fave character
Playing Ni No Kuni on my turquoise Lite now....
No. A Nintendo Switch that is NOT a Switch. They should have renamed it. But I guess the Switch is the selling point.
I’d like to get one, but I’m still unsure. I’m going on a trip soon, and bringing a second, more compact Switch would be ideal, but with the joy-con issue not being addressed by Nintendo and the new switch having way better battery life, I’m still not sure which would be a better investment as a second more travel-friendly Switch.
I would play portable more on my OG switch if the analog sticks weren’t..... ok I’ll say it, garbage.
They’re OKAY, but for anything that requires some precision it’s just not happening. I find even playing Mario Odyssey just too difficult. Little movements translate into full throttle instantly and they’re waaayyy too loose feeling. That is honestly the only reason I’d consider getting a lite: if the sticks were tighter.
I think the 3DS’ circle pad is better than the Switch’s sticks.
I love my switch but those analog sticks need some kind of revamping. As of now portability is just “doable” not “preferable”, at least for my tastes.
@sevnlabs yeah I’m with you on this . I’d like a lite for traveling but all this messing about with data - can’t be bothered - it’s meant to be fun not an IT job
I had a switch lite on pre order. I knew I'd be playing a switch mostly in handheld. Taking it places etc. Then Nintendo released the revised standard switch and it was a no brainer to go for the revised switch. Bigger screen, better battery, dockable. From what I've seen, people are buying switch lite either for kids or because they need to own all new Nintendo hardware, or they play exclusively in handheld mode - which are all great reasons to buy.
The name is gonna be so confusing to casuals. Theyr gonna be like "ill buy the cheaper version but its called switch so I can still play it home, right?" There will be lots of returns I am sure.
@Woomy_NNYes With Nintendo you never know... They make weak hardware since Wii but they always get a pass.
@Justaguest But they still need the word switch because it plays Switch games. The only logical name is Nintendo Switch Off.
Nah, not for me... I'm still enjoying my New 3DSXL far too much and it's better handheld than the Switch Lite in terms of gamer experience. For me, the deal breaker would have to be Streetpass and themes, something that took a while to come to the 3DS in the first place so I can imagine it'll be a while before Nintendo finally wises up and upwards its Switch OS with those.
Also I'm not too taken by the designs🤔. The Pokémon one looks the best but I'm pretty sure they'll wheel out much better colour schemes and designs soon, just look at the varieties of GB, GBASP, and 3DSXL that we've had, and that's not even including region-specific ones.
Biding my time and enjoying the 3DSXL for my portable gaming for now.... 😉🎮
Received my turquoise Lite and immediately fell in love with the superior comfort while playing in handheld mode! The OG Switch will be docked to my TV and the Lite will now be my portable. I'm somewhat shocked so many folks in the comments don't seem to want anything to do with the Lite! To see it as "inferior" to the OG Switch is interesting because while yes it does lack dock support & HD Rumble, it's unibody & lightweight form factor truly does make a device worth every penny. With that being said I do wish Nintendo had just allowed dock support so that having multiple Switch systems wasn't a thing. Oh well, I guess it's their financial strategy for selling more systems.
I'm waiting for the Atomic Purple model. Do you hear me Nintendo? Parents are paying for these consoles. Kids will play whatever the hell color we give them. Never heard a kid ask for anything in yellow, gray or turquoise. Were you picking paint colors for the guest room? ATOMIC PURPLE! And you Chinese seller whose business name phonetically sounds wierd and is impossibly spelled, I need you to make some kind of simple-cool aftermarket LED mod for it that makes women swoon and men feel unmanned.
@tvoltz90 That's the thing. I play mostly handheld but not even having the option to dock totally kills my interest in the Lite. If not for the fugly color choices and waiting out to see if they fixed the joy con drift issue, that is basically what makes it a heck no.
@Roronoa11 Good grief I miss Streetpass dearly. 😰
Funny I bet the same people that are saying there’s no purpose for the switch lite most likely are the same that criticized the 2ds it’s called ignorance the 2ds drastically boosted sales for Nintendo cause a magical little thing called price
Went with the "unsure" option. I'm looking to upgrade my 3DS, this should be perfect for me... yet the drift issue has gone unaddressed (especially outside the US) and that makes me wary.
Pricing here is at 240€ too, which I wouldn't exactly call "budget".
I'll probably get swayed once I try it in a store tbh.
Already got a Switch. A better one. Shrug.
I wish i had the money to buy it.
I thought about it, but I think the "Primary System" thing is a deal-breaker.
picked mine up yesterday
I wrote I wanted to buy it next month... But yesterday I saw it on a shop... Got the turquoise 😅😂😀
If I could seamlessly play my games across two devices I would be tempted, but it sounds like an account-locking nightmare, so I'll pass.
@bignrules "Funny I bet the same people that are saying there’s no purpose for the switch lite most likely are the same that criticized the 2ds it’s called ignorance the 2ds drastically boosted sales for Nintendo cause a magical little thing called price"
It's called Trolls. They have nothing better to add just more disgruntled vita players whom Sony shafted.
I just wish the console was cheaper!
Also Nintendo Life should have done a poll "if you're buying one what colour are you getting?"
@Desrever "I play on the TV too much for this to be a good purchase for me personally. If it had an HDMI port, I would have absolutely considered it."
You probably play mostly on the TV because the original switch doesn't offer the most optimal handheld experience. It's a little cumbersome, wonky, and the 6.2 inch screen isn't always friendly with its 720p resolution.
The lite changes all that, offering overall, a more mobile friendly experience, from providing sharper visuals to a sturdier and more compact and comfortable form factor. It just feels great in your hands and feels great to play.
I own one and I can tell you that after spending enough time with it, you come to realize that it wasn't created to be a stripped down Switch (that would be stupid), but rather a secondary option that's meant to offer the best mobile gaming experience to date at the most affordable price.
And it gets the job done. This thing's going to be huge, trust me. 👍
Although, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't care about mobile gaming. 👍
@Savino " I want a better Switch, not a worse one."
It's not a worst Switch, it's a device that's meant to serve an individual purpose while existing seamlessly within a singular hardware family, like the the iPhone and iPad. It rocks bro, trust me, I own one; It provides an effectively better mobile experience than the original Switch, which is the bulk of what it was meant to do.
Lots of thoughts on this one! Lemme do the whole "short version" / "long version" construct.
Part 1 of 2:
------------------THE SHORT VERSION-----------------
It's great for the right people, and is quite a looker, no doubt. But without docked support or even the theoretical hope of future docked support, I am definitely not one of those "the right people".
Hard pass for me, thanks! And here's to hoping that it doesn't erode software developer support for docked-mode enhancements in their games going forward.
Part 2 of 2:
---------THE SUPER [DUPER] LONG VERSION---------
I've come to understand and appreciate the Switch Lite's place in the Nintendo ecosystem, and the Switch lineup, and I don't begrudge it. I am no longer fighting against it. It is admittedly a thing of physical beauty, and the smaller size will make it much easier to carry around. And, for those who don't care about the dock, but do care about the portability of the thing, it is a smart, logical choice that should serve them very well. It is truly the "2DS" of the Switch ecosystem.
However, very central to the whole Switch experience for me is the hybrid nature of the system, that it is BOTH a handheld AND a console, and that I have in one piece of hardware the portable's liberation from the couch of the console via the freedom and flexibility to play anytime / anywhere, AND the console's liberation from the small screen / tight, imprecise controls of the portable by way of the big screen / sound system of the couch or theater room. I can slip it into the dock to enjoy a fully immersive / comfortable couch console experience with the comfort and precision of the pro controller. And then, just like that, slip it out of the dock, "call shotgun" on the car ride, and pick up right where I left off without having to worry about cloud saves and other clunky hand-off measures that aren't required when it's literally the same piece of hardware in both contexts. Even the most elegant and seamless and beautiful cross-save / hand-off arrangements are going to seem so impossibly clunky and cumbersome next to the one second delay between going into and out of docked mode we have now.
There's just no comparison.
It's not perfect, no. As a console, it's underpowered - about a generation behind XB1X / PS4 Pro, and about a half-generation behind even the base units. In fact, it's probably not at all unfair to simply call it a "WiiU Pro". Or, if there had ever been a so-called XB360X, and/or PS3 Pro, they would probably occupy a nearly identical spot in hardware performance to Switch's docked mode. And on the other hand, as a portable, it's big, bulky, expensive, and battery hungry, with flimsy, damage and wear-prone controls.
But that it is BOTH a portable AND a console all in one device, in my mind, MORE THAN makes up for its deficits as either. It's the kind of magic that proposes I pay $20-$40 more for a demonstrably inferior version of a game than I would pay on another system for a demonstrably superior version, and as ludicrous a proposition as it sounds, not only do I do it gladly, and repeatedly - but that version even becomes my favorite version of all - all because when I buy the game for Switch, I am essentially getting two versions and experiences in one - a console game and a handheld game that I can switch between by simply slipping a tablet into or out of a dock.
And to get rid of either of those - even if it means by and large fixing the shortcomings of the other one in the process, so severely diminishes its total value to me so as to "not even be a Switch anymore" in my mind. And it doesn't matter one iota to me whether we're talking about some hypothetical, imaginary dedicated console that plays Switch games, and is more powerful than XB1X, but isn't portable anymore, or the very real-life near-perfection of a portable Switch experience that isn't a console anymore. Not only that, but in the process, it seriously damages the odd arithmetic of the paradoxically beneficial cost / benefit analysis of paying more for a scaled down port. It also, if the Switch were merely a portable as is the case with the Lite, undoes by flipping on its head the precedent which runs throughout all of gaming history up to this point that the portable version of the game, being the nuts and bolts inferior version relative to the console was always cheaper as a result. Well not anymore, ladies, gentlemen, and all points in-between....not anymore.
So in short? No, I have no interest in a Switch Lite whatsoever.
At first, I was actually very angry about the Lite, because I was so excited for a more portable Switch coming into things. And I was so planning on it, that I had for all intents and purposes already "pre-ordered it" in my mind. But then when I found out what kind of sacrifices it would require to have it, it became a hard pass. I could've lived reasonably happily with any and all of the other compromises the Lite made. But the dock thing was a deal-breaker. However, here's the rub: since I had already so thoroughly bought into it in my head beforehand, the termination of that plan didn't feel like a disappointment so much as it felt like an actual loss, like something good was actually taken away from me. As melodramatic and ridiculous as this will no doubt sound, it even felt like an outright betrayal to me. I was soooo mad, and soooo sad! You know, I suppose that I made the classic blunder of "counting my proverbial chickens before they hatched".
But anyway, because of this, I initially reacted VERY negatively. In fact, in the process, I have learned a very painful, but very valuable lesson of never trying to artificially create a viral hashtag on Twitter by spamming it. Some of you may or may not have encountered the #NoDockNoDeal hash that was pretty much all one guy...yeah, my apologies. That was all kinds of ugly, and I'll never do that again. It is definitely true that the dumbest in me brought out the ugliest in everybody else.
But now that I've had time to cool down, and get a little bit more perspective, I have realized that this isn't as much of a sacrilege, or a "sky is falling" situation as I initially thought, and have learned to make peace with it as a part of the greater ecosystem. Nevertheless, I still have no desire for one for myself. It's fine for others, but not for me.
I had held out some hope that we would find that the requisite hardware was still in place, and that perhaps a future firmware update would make it dockable again - at which point I would become interested again, and pick one up at my earliest convenience. However, the past few days have found that not to be the case, putting forever to rest the hope of ever adding dockability, and with it, the hope of my ever becoming interested.
The only outstanding concern I have regarding the Lite is the potential it has to undermine "docked mode" with the software developers. Part of what makes the docked mode feel like an actual different experience than undocked mode is the power and performance boost it gets. It's not just a smeary rebroadcast of the handheld mode stretched over a bigger screen, but it is actually a legitimately enhanced experience - a demonstrably "something other". But in order for that to actually matter, the software developers need to program in a second software layer to take advantage of that extra power. So, more expense and labor for the developer, without any additional financial benefit that they wouldn't already get via "the Switch tax". There are already too many Switch games that don't have a distinct docked mode, and too many developers who don't care about using it. Though it certainly differs in scale, in principle, this is akin to a developer not adding a "Pro layer" to a PS4 game or no "1X layer" to an XB1 game. Now, if we have a second Switch come along that doesn't even support docked mode, and that new Switch sells like gangbusters, and everyone uses it and leaves the old Switch behind, how many more of those developers who still support the dock despite the inherent business contra-incentive to do so will fall off in the process, and what will become of a critical aspect of the docked experience then? Now, I know that Nintendo themselves have promised to always keep supporting the dock, and there are other developers who like to push the envelope as well, who will probably continue to support it. But I feel like the dock is already undersupported, and I'm just afraid that the Lite's influence will only cause it to fall into even more extreme neglect. Again, I don't think it's panic time, and I'm not gonna go on a tirade about it. But it is a long-term concern that does nag at me a bit.
I guess we shall see. But once again, as for me and my house, I will just continue to live with carrying around a full sized-switch in my pocket that barely fits, looks terrible in there, and no doubt does all sorts of violence to the attached joycons, and still have a setup where I don't have to rely on cloud saves, but get to enjoy both a console and a handheld experience all in one small tablet. Your mileage may vary, of course. You do you, booboo. But this is the path I'm hard committed to. #NoDockNoDeal.
Cheers!
@SwitchForce Not gonna lie I was a fan of the psp and vita but yeah I’m pretty sure your right I wouldn’t be surprised I heard about t review bombing of astral chain cause it wasn’t coming to ps4 I saw a review on Amazon that was a one star and it said something generic about t be game sucking and that the switch was a weak out dated system you could tell from the review the person didn’t even have a switch and it also wasn’t a verified purchase lol
@CircuitWrangler3 "I own one and I can tell you that after spending enough time with it, you come to realize that it wasn't created to be a stripped down Switch (that would be stupid), but rather a secondary option that's meant to offer the best mobile gaming experience to date at the most affordable price."
That's alot of what the naysayers want you to believe and that is the sad reality for them. I for one never thought it was stripped down but as you said another different mode of Portable game play. As anyone can see from just sales Lite can hold it's own on sales and gaming. And this scares them that is why they come out with talking point to down play the Lite Success.
@bignrules What your saying is probably true just because a game doesn't come out on a vita you go around bad mouthing for that reason isn't a legit reason for any good honest Reviews of a game. That just goes to show one's one bias or prejudice against another console. A open Review is one thing a chip on the shoulder Review is a poor REVIEW of the reviewer themselves.
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