Nintendo Switch Lite: Pros And Cons

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 18, 2020
  • Are you considering buying a Nintendo Switch Lite? Here are some of the Nintendo Switch Lite pros and cons for you to consider before purchasing one.

Back in September 2019, Nintendo released a handheld game console called the Switch Lite. It was designed to be a handheld-only version of the Nintendo Switch. And you can play most of the same games designed for the original Nintendo Switch.

When the Switch Lite was first released, it became a top seller at GameStop and Amazon. And due to the shelter-in-place orders this year, the Switch Lite gaming console has sold out of retailers everywhere, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target. Some of the games that have driven the popularity of the Nintendo Switch Lite include Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Minecraft.

Are you considering buying a Nintendo Switch Lite? Here are some of the Nintendo Switch Lite pros and cons for you to consider before purchasing one.

Pro: Cheaper Price

One of the best Nintendo Switch Lite features is the price. The starting price of the Switch Lite is $199.99 — which is $100 less than the Nintendo Switch.

Pro: Portability

The Switch Lite is small, portable, and light thus making it easier to carry around. Specifically, it weighs under a pound (0.61 lbs).

Pro: Longer Battery Life

The Nintendo Switch Lite has a superior battery life as it can last up to seven hours, depending on the game that you are playing. This means that it lasts a bit longer than the original Switch. Note: The newer version of the Switch has a battery life of 4.5 to 9 hours.

Pro: Several New Color Options

The Switch Lite features several different color variants. The Switch Lite is available in yellow, gray, turquoise, and coral. 

Pro: Built-In Controllers

The Nintendo Switch Lite features a D-pad on its left side instead of the four directional buttons used on the original Switch. This should make controlling the game easier.

Con: Smaller-Sized Screen

The Switch Lite has a 5-5-inch touchscreen, meaning that it is 0.7-inches smaller than the original. And it runs games at 720p resolution.

Con: Cannot Be Docked To TV Or Monitors

When Nintendo designed the Switch Lite, it was built without hardware needed for being able to connect to any bigger screen. Video is unable to flow through the bottom USB-C port of the Switch Lite as it does with the Switch console.

Pulse 2.0 Score

The Nintendo Switch Lite has received a score of 4 out of 5 stars. The score would have been higher if the Switch Lite could run games at a higher resolution. And the inability to connect it to a larger screen is a bummer.

But I do like how it does not break the bank and you can argue about the convenience of the portability of the Switch Lite. Plus the longer battery life can make long road trips more bearable.

Want To Buy A Nintendo Switch Lite? Here are some options:

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Disclosure: Pulse 2.0 could receive a commission for purchases made through this article