A Switch That's Only a Handheld
The Switch was built to do everything: dock to a TV, split into two controllers, prop up on a table. But plenty of people only ever played it in their hands. For them, Nintendo made the Switch Lite, released on 20 September 2019, a smaller, lighter and cheaper Switch that does one thing and does it very well.
The Switch Lite is a single solid unit with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen and the controls built into the body. It plays the Switch library in handheld mode, it's noticeably lighter in a bag, and it cost much less than the full Switch at launch. In spirit, it's the closest thing Nintendo has made to a modern Game Boy.
What You Gain
The controls feel wonderful. Because the controllers are part of the console, the whole thing feels solid and well balanced, with no wobble where Joy-Con would usually attach. And it has a proper D-pad, a real cross shape instead of four separate buttons, which makes a huge difference in 2D platformers, fighting games and classic games. For fans of retro-style games, that alone makes it worth considering.
It's comfortable for long sessions, too, and the smaller screen makes the pixels look sharper. Battery life depends on the game, but it lasts a good few hours.
What You Give Up
The Lite can't connect to a television, so there's no docked mode. The controllers don't detach, so games that need separate Joy-Con or motion controls, such as 1-2-Switch, need a pair of Joy-Con bought separately, plus a way to prop the console up. It also lacks HD Rumble and the infrared camera found in the right Joy-Con. Most of the Switch library plays perfectly, but check before you buy a game that leans on those features.
Like the full Switch, the Lite can suffer from stick drift, where an analog stick moves on its own. Because the sticks are built into the console, a repair means opening it up rather than swapping a controller.
The Library in Your Pocket
Most of the best Switch games play beautifully on the Lite: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a huge range of smaller games. It's also a great way to play the Switch's many collections of classic games, where that D-pad shines.
Buying One Today
Check the screen for scratches, since there's no lid to protect it, and test both sticks carefully for drift. Try every button, check the battery holds a charge, and confirm the charger is included. The Lite came in bright colours, including yellow, turquoise, coral and blue, plus special editions, so there's plenty of choice.
With the Switch 2 now out, a second-hand Switch Lite is one of the cheapest ways into the Switch library. If you only ever play in your hands, it might be the best Switch for you.