Nintendo Announced a Switch Lite for $199 But is It Worth it?

Last week Nintendo announced a new console that will be arriving on September 20th of this year for $199. The new console is the Nintendo Switch Lite and it’s basically a smaller Nintendo Switch that cannot be docked to play on a tv.

This means that games like Just Dance or 1-2 Switch aren’t really gonna be playable on this device. Since the console is not made to be docked, it doesn’t have removable joy-cons which are required for a number of games on the Nintendo eShop.

Ultimately, there are 3 reasons that this is better than the regular switch. The Switch Lite is $100 cheaper, quite smaller, and comes in fresh new colors. This is a great console for those that are seeking more of a DS replacement than a Wii U replacement. Oddly enough, the Switch Lite doesn't have a kickstand so it doesn’t support tabletop mode unless you get a case for it. This is odd considering you can still pair other controllers and play together but it looks like Nintendo doesn’t want this console to do much of anything the normal (and future Pro) Switch does in order to target different audiences.

As mentioned previously, the Nintendo Switch Lite will come in three colors. There will be a turquoise, gray, and yellow Switch Lite which look really awesome. This Switch will have a d-pad and all the buttons will be white giving it a more playful/fun look. Some of these changes will definitely make this a much more comfortable portable gaming experience than the current Switch. As a Switch owner myself, I am incredibly interested in one of these but I am still not sure since I do dock it often to play Smash Bros. on a TV. If this could be docked somehow then that would make it a no-brainer but it seems that the USB-C port on the Switch Lite won’t support docking at all.

Shortly after the release of the Switch Lite, there will be a Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield Edition Switch Light that will be available on November 8th of this year. The Switch Lite is a great alternative to the Switch for those that don’t plan on playing on a TV and are more focused on solo gaming on the go. For $199, this console will sell like hotcakes and is definitely worth It if you don’t need the extra functionality of the regular Switch!