Is the Nintendo Switch Lite Worth Buying in 2023?

The Nintendo Switch Lite is renowned for its portability and compact design, but how does this device fare years after its 2019 launch?

Founded in 1889, Nintendo has brought an array of inventive gaming consoles to the market that embody nostalgia for many gamers. After releasing the Nintendo Switch in 2017, the gaming mammoth has demonstrated its propensity for continued innovation. Both the base model Nintendo Switch and the snazzy OLED model have garnered popularity, leaving the Nintendo Switch Lite with less attention. However, the Nintendo Switch Lite is an impressive device with an emphasis on portability, perfect for on-the-go gaming.

The affordable Nintendo Switch Lite grants players access to an incredible library of games, including renowned Nintendo exclusives and a vast collection of indie options. For younger gamers, avid travelers, and owners of other consoles, the Nintendo Switch Lite is definitely a worthy investment. While the portable device loses some functionality compared to the base model, the device is convenient, compact, and capable of running huge games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

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The Nintendo Switch Lite offers many of the same features as the base model, including an impressive games library and access to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Deemed the successor to the Nintendo 3DS, the device's nostalgic feel is bolstered by this paid subscription, allowing players to access classic titles from the NES, N64, SNES, and more. The base and Lite Switch models offer the same titles, but their designs are entirely different. The Nintendo Switch Lite is slimmer, with a retro design available in five colors with a matte finish.

The lighter weight (9.76 ounces) and compact design result in a far better handheld experience, with much less strain on the wrists. The Lite model also feels less clunky than the base model. Due to the smaller composition, the LCD screen is slightly smaller at 5.5 inches instead of the original Switch's 6.2 inches. However, with the slimmer bezel around the screen and the same 720p resolution, players shouldn't notice much difference. In fact, the higher pixel density creates a relatively crisp display, especially when playing games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Celeste.

The built-in controllers replace the detachable Joy-Cons, and the difference is noticeable. The D-Pad is smooth and functional, and the face buttons offer satisfying tactility and sharper edges. While the Nintendo Switch Lite hasn't had battery updates since its release in 2019, it has an improved battery efficiency compared to the original model, offering three to seven hours of gameplay. The improved handheld feel and battery capability come at an affordable price point of $199.99, which is $100 cheaper than the Nintendo Switch. Above all, the device's portability makes it stand out among competitors.

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Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite falls short in several areas. The lack of built-in Bluetooth and the meager 32GB console storage are two such downfalls. For both of these features, additional purchases can enhance the device's capability, as players can buy a third-party Bluetooth dongle and a micro SD card for additional storage. However, this seems an unnecessary hassle for a device built with portability and convenience in mind. Joy-Con drift is also an issue for the Switch Lite. With no detachable components, fixing this common problem involves sending off the entire device for repairs.

Increased portability also comes at the cost of some functionality. Most obviously, the device sacrifices dock and TV play, but auto-lighting adjustments and built-in rumble are also absent. This lack of rumble doesn't prevent a frustrating vibration when the speakers hit high volumes. The Nintendo Switch Lite also doesn't have a kickstand. Like the base model, this version doesn't have an internet browser, access to streaming services like Netflix, or a way to customize the home screen game display. The Nintendo Switch Lite utilizes the same available game library as the base model. However, co-op games and motion control-focused titles don't pair well with this device.

The Switch Lite was meant for individual players and lacks docking capabilities, so it's clear why multiplayer titles don't work. That certain single-player titles would take a knock is less clear to prospective buyers. While the console's motion controls hold up for smaller movements, such as aiming arrows in Breath of the Wild, they falter when needed for larger movements, such as those required for Zelda shrines. This property heavily impacts titles like Super Mario Odyssey that rely on motion controls. With a lack of detachable Joy-Cons, active games like Ring Fit Adventure or Just Dance are also affected.

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All in all, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a small but mighty device. With an impressively lightweight design and compact screen, this device deserves praise for being able to run massive games like The Witcher 3. With no detachable parts, the device's renowned portability enhances its durability, making it the perfect gaming device for travel, on-the-go play, and younger gamers. However, this device works best as a complement to an existing gaming setup or as an introductory console for newer players. While it certainly delivers on nostalgia and convenience, comparing it to the base model or the OLED Switch sets it at a disadvantage.

Players looking for an improved handheld experience won't be disappointed with the Nintendo Switch Lite. Despite being called a "Switch," the static form of this console removes some hybridity to highlight portability. Some functionality is lost to enable this, but the device has similar internal hardware to the Nintendo Switch. This Lite version also offers players access to the expansive Nintendo library at an affordable price. For players on the move or gamers with a love for Nintendo's nostalgic offerings who don't mind playing mostly solo games, the Nintendo Switch Lite is definitely worth the purchase.

Source: Nintendo

Cait Tyler is a lifelong learner with a knack for words and a passion for the stories that stem from them. She has a BA from the University of Cape Town, with majors in Philosophy, English Language & Literature, and Religious Studies, as well as a postgraduate degree in Literary Studies. When she’s not editing and writing, she is involved in a South African gaming startup called FLOWSTATE. Cait also adores zombie movies but would be one of the first people to die in an apocalypse.