Nintendo Switch Lite Announced, Launches September 20 for $199 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 September 2019 / 4,113 Views
Nintendo has announced Nintendo Switch Lite. It is a handheld only version of its hybrid console, the Switch. It will launch worldwide on September 20 for $199.99. It will be available in turquoise, grey and yellow color variations.
The regular Switch features detachable Joy-Cons, while the Switch Lite has integrated controls and is a smaller size. It does not have a dock and does not support video output to a TV. It can play all games in the Switch library.
View a video of the Nintendo Switch Lite below:
"Adding Nintendo Switch Lite to the lineup gives gamers more color 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 favorite Nintendo Switch games."
Nintendo will release a limited edition Switch Lite model alongside the release of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield on November 8 for $199.99 called Zacian and Zamazenta Edition.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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The biggest thing I really like about this revision is it doesn't make my Switch seem obsolete already.
@Medisti Yep. I am anticipating games expecting to play undocked from this point on. It'll be the opposite effect of the XB1X and PS4Pro in that future releases will run better on the prior model (when it's docked, at least) since those games anticipate running off of a battery instead of an AC power cord.
And battery life.
@KALMarine In the context of determining which one is a better machine, let's ignore the price. Yes, the $200 price tag is fucking dope. My girlfriend has already expressed interest in grabbing a pair for her kids, and my daughter wants the yellow one for herself despite already owning the Let's Go! edition.
But in a comparison of the two machines, the Lite has very few advantages over the standard model and really only serves to boost its image. This is in contrast to the XB1/S and XB1X (or to the PS4/Slim and PS4 Pro) in which the updated model only highlights how lacking the previous model is. While Sony and Microsoft made their previous models and revisions feel outdated and underpowered, Nintendo only highlighted just how great the original Switch was in the first place.
This is a great move by Nintendo. I think this will increase sales substantially.
"Switch will never have a handheld-only version! it goes against the entire naming scheme!"
A Switch that can't Switch. Huh. I really hope this doesn't cause devs to abandon the HD Rumble and split Joy-Con play, because I like or use those.
I mostly play docked so no tv support is a deal breaker for me. Even got a second dock to switch between rooms and still play my preferred way. Would have liked a smaller switch for when i'm out and about but I don't see having 2 as reasonable.
Remember when people said this was just a "silly rumor"? There was too much smoke here for this rumor not to be true.
Its cool that both are targeting different audiences and can exist together. Though I think the original's detachable joy cons and tv play make the extra $100 worth it.
Was hoping for a smaller Switch but still playable on TV. Normal Switch is too expensive for how much I would use it but for games like Mario Kart I need it to work with a TV to play with others.
But it sounds like an awesome device for those who want to play it always without a TV.
I'm not sure, but the Switch Lite's Base looks like you can hook it somewhere, Probably a new Slimmer Dock in the future?
So a Switch that doesn't switch. One for the Japanese market perhaps. I'm pretty happy with my current version of the NS.
This will definitely be the peak year for the Switch, now.
Definitely. Dropping the price like this will be hard to beat. I predict this will be the year the base PS4 and XB1 hit $150 just to keep pace.
They should make one that's just like an android tv box. No screen, no battery, 2 joycons with a charging grip and a cable. That wouldn't cost a lot to make.
Also it has a 5.5-inch screen, compared to the current 6.2-inch one. Still 720p.
It's fine for what it is, but maybe a tad too expensive. $160-170 and that thing would go nuclear.
I hope they have more colors than that, cause it's too "bright." I like my consoles to have a darker shade.
Nintendo has announced 3 color versions - yellow, grey and turquoise. To be honest, none of these fit my tastes but still, they offer 3 color variants.
So how exactly is it a "switch?" Switch from larger to smaller? Back to extra large? That one's called the Switch Triple.
Have you heard of PS Vita TV?
Some corrections. (1) Typo - *Joy-Cons not Joy-Jobs. (2) Pokemon Sword/Shield edition is one console, not two.
A joy-job sounds dirty.
Aaaah i might get this when it's out but the battery life is a negative,if it wants to focus on being a handheld it should have a better increase in battery.
Here is Australia the RRP for the Lite is $329. You can buy the current Switch for $379 today (even though the RRP is $449) so to save $50 you give up a whole lot of features. Don't get me wrong the Lite looks cool but I can't help but think it needed to be cheaper than this to make the impact that Nintendo is looking for...
Something is wrong with Australian price or taxes. US have the Switch at 299 while in AU it was 449.
The lite will drop below RRP soon enough just as the original has. The price difference will increase when the lite gets deals.
Jranation yep well $1 AUD is about 70c USD but also the $449 price includes all taxes and you don't pay tax after the sale like you do in the USA. Over here we build all taxes into the price. Also, the US enjoys cheaper goods in general, if you have the time check the prices on the UK E Shop and look at how much Nintendo is charging for digital products over there in comparison to the USA....
I'm still gonna wait for price cuts on the standard Switch. This is kinda like buying a X1 without a disc drive. I dont want less features.
No thanks. Also the color choices are awful.
Nintendo needs a new intro and logo for the Switch, since the removable Joy Cons where kind a Switch is thing. Anyways I like the new design it cut lose all the gimmicks and really became a bigger better Vita that delivers om the promise of consolegaming on the go. For everyone thst was excited about rumble HD and Switch motion controls, those are obsolete now.
