Nintendo Switch Lite: a smaller and cheaper switch designed for portable gaming

A new switch is on the way and it is much smaller. Today, Nintendo has unveiled the Lite Switch, designed as a cheaper alternative to the original hybrid tablet / console. It costs $ 199 – $ 100 less than the base unit – and for that price you get a simplified version of the switch, but also some reservations. The Switch Lite is designed explicitly as a handheld: you can not connect it to your TV and Joy-Con controllers are integrated. "The two systems will complement each other and coexist on the market," said Nintendo of US President Doug Bowser recounts The edge.

There are a number of improvements with the Switch Lite. It's much lighter, on the one hand; I played with one for about 20 minutes, and the difference was noticeable, especially when you take an original switch afterwards. The Switch Lite also feels more robust as Joy-Con controllers are now part of the device. The configuration of the controller is largely identical on the Lite, although the new switch has an appropriate d-pad, replacing the less precise directional buttons of the original.

Nintendo said the Lite offered a "slight" improvement in battery life (the company would not be more accurate than this), thanks to a more energy-efficient chip configuration and the lack of additional batteries in the integrated controllers. The Switch Lite also removes the controversial support of the device.

It is also a very beautiful material. The Lite is available in several colors at launch – yellow, gray and turquoise – as well as a special light gray Pokemon Sword and Shield edition, and they all have a nice matte texture to wear. And even if the screen is slightly smaller, it did not bother me much during intense battles in Breath of nature. (Despite the change in size, the resolution of the Switch Lite display remains the same as that of the original switch in 720p, although it no longer has a brightness sensor, so you can not adjust the brightness of the screen than manually.)

The new device has a 5.5-inch touch screen, compared to 6.2 inches for its predecessor. If you remove a Joy-Con from an original switch, you'll have a good idea of ​​the size of the new version. There are also some other small touches, like glasses and a vent that match the color of the material, to better blend. Overall, it's a solid device, and exactly what you expect from this type of refreshment.

The small iteration of the switch has been prevalent for some time, with reports that a more powerful version of the console was on the way. According to Nintendo's Bowser, the decision to focus on an uniquely portable option was based on how people used the switch. "It's more the way we watched them playing," he told the console audience. "We have the ability to track the way people play games and play our titles, so I would say it's really an option that gives more choices to people."

But this new design comes with some compromises. The most notable is the inability to connect to a TV. this flexibility was a big part of Switch's call. Similarly, built-in controls and the lack of removable controllers, HD rumble and infrared sensors create some compatibility issues. If you want to use motion controls to catch monsters in Pokémon Let's go, or play a game like 1-2 switch For this you will have to buy an extra pair of Joy-Con separately. Currently, all Switch game packages specify when the titles are playable in portable mode, and Nintendo indicates that similar tags will be applied to the digital eShop. If you attempt to purchase a game that is incompatible with Switch Lite from the online store, the company will notify you.

Aside from the new design and these few changes, the Switch Lite and the original Switch are largely identical. Nintendo says there is no difference in performance between the two models and you can still use the same accessories with the Lite, including Joy-Con controllers, Switch Pro controller and Poké Ball Plus. The Switch Lite still supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC, and incorporates gyroscope controls.

Since its debut in March 2017, Nintendo has sold nearly 35 million Switch units worldwide. Bowser said that the schedule for the new version of Switch Lite is intended to capitalize on this initial success and that it should be reinforced by upcoming holiday games like Pokemon Sword and Shield and The legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.

"We think the moment is propitious for momentum," says Bowser. "This is the perfect opportunity for us to offer more choice and attract more consumers to Nintendo Switch in the third year. When you associate this with the software we just announced at E3, we have a perfect opportunity as we approach the holidays. "

The Nintendo Switch Lite will be launched on September 20 – the same day as Link's Awakening – for $ 199.99. the Pokémon the version will be released on November 8 at the same price.

Update July 10th at 9:50 am ET: This article originally stated that you could not adjust the brightness of the Switch Lite. You can still adjust it manually, but the camera does not have a sensor to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen. We apologize for the mistake.