Following the Pokemon bombshell on Monday, Nintendo has seen fit to finally reveal the Nintendo Switch Lite after months of rumours.
The Switch Lite is a compact, lightweight, and slightly cheaper version (by about $100) of the portable Nintendo Switch console, meant to focus exclusively on handheld games. The system has a slightly longer battery life and no Joy-Con controllers, which allows it to use a traditional D-pad instead of four directional buttons. It has no kickstand and does not support video output to a TV; therefore, it does not come with a dock or HDMI cable. For a full list of the differences between Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, visit a site Nintendo has setup to compare.
“Adding Nintendo Switch Lite to the lineup gives gamers more colour and price point options,” said Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser. “Now consumers can choose the system that best suits how they like to play their favourite Nintendo Switch games.”
The new device can play any game in the ever-expanding Nintendo Switch library that supports handheld mode, although some games will have restrictions. Compatible game modes will be listed on the back of game packaging and in Nintendo eShop. Now that this more compact Switch has been revealed, hardcore fans will probably be wondering about the also-rumoured upgraded Switch. No details are available on that right now, but we can probably expect it to appear at some point in the future.
The Nintendo Switch Lite console will release on September 20th this year, at a suggested retail price of $259.99 USD. A carrying case and screen protector for the system will be available, and it will be sold in colour choices of yellow, grey and turquoise. A special Pokémon Sword and Shield-themed Switch Lite will also be launching in North America on November 8th featuring a gray case with cyan and magenta buttons plus artwork of the new legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta, on the back.
