Nintendo Switch Lite Arrives On September 20
Nintendo Switch Lite has been officially announced today. This new dedicated handheld is compact, lightweight, and easy to take with you on the go. It will be available in three colors: yellow, gray, and turquoise. The Switch Lite will retail for $199.99 and launch on September 20, 2019. Incidentally this is the same day that The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening arrives in stores. In addition to these three initial colors, a special Zacian and Zamazenta Edition will be available beginning November 8 to celebrate Pokémon Sword & Shield!
So what are the primary differences between the regular Switch and the Switch Lite? To begin with, and as stated above, the Lite only plays in handheld mode (not compatible with the Switch dock and doesn’t support output to a TV) and comes in at $100 cheaper. The system does not have detachable Joy-Con controllers, a kickstand, HD Rumble or IR Motion. The Switch Lite features a dedicated d-pad instead of separated buttons! The system is lighter coming in at .61 pounds versus .88 pounds of the original. The touch screen is smaller at 5.5″ versus 6.2″. Overall dimensions are smaller as you’d expect: 3.6″ high, 8.2″ long, .55″ deep versus the original, which comes in at 4″ high, 9.4″ long, and .55″ deep. The battery life has been improved to a range of 3-7 hours versus 2.5 – 6.5 hours of the original. Finally, the Switch Lite natively plays games that support handheld mode, although you can still sync up a wireless controller to play on the small screen, meaning you’ll still be able to play multiplayer games as well.
Of course the Switch Lite plays the same great games the original does. You can link it wirelessly to other Switch systems (up to 8 total) and go online as well. Check out the first video of the system in action:
#NintendoSwitchLite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition will also be available beginning 11/8, while supplies last. This special edition is just in time for the holidays and the release of #PokemonSwordShield on 11/15. pic.twitter.com/IG0skYmQB9
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 10, 2019
OFFICIAL PR:
In a video today, Nintendo introduced Nintendo Switch Lite, a device designed specifically to play Nintendo Switch games in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch Lite system launches Sept. 20 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and will be available in three different colors: yellow, gray and turquoise. A carrying case and screen protector set for Nintendo Switch Lite will also be available.
The Nintendo Switch Lite system launches Sept. 20 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and will be available in three different colors: yellow, gray and turquoise.
“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.”
The flagship Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and offers three different play modes: playing in TV mode by placing the system into a Nintendo Switch dock, playing cooperatively or competitively in tabletop mode by sharing Joy-Con controllers and playing in handheld mode. The system comes with either Gray Joy-Con controllers or Neon Red and Neon Blue Joy-Con controllers.
Nintendo Switch Lite has integrated controls and is smaller than the flagship version of Nintendo Switch. It has no kickstand and, as a dedicated handheld gaming device, 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 https://www.nintendo.com/switch/compare.
The new device can play all games in the robust Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode*, although some games will have restrictions. Compatible game modes will be listed on the back of game packaging and in Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite owners can get together to enjoy compatible multiplayer titles like Super Mario Maker 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate together via Nintendo Switch Online** or local wireless multiplayer***.
For additional information about Nintendo Switch Lite, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/lite/.
OFFICIAL PR:
A special Pokémon-themed version of the newly announced Nintendo Switch Lite system will be available in North America starting Nov. 8. The Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition features stylish cyan and magenta buttons and illustrations of the two new Legendary Pokémon from the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games* for Nintendo Switch. This unique system will be available at a suggested retail price of $199.99, while supplies last.
“November is shaping up to be a big month for Pokémon fans, with the arrival of this special hardware followed by the launch of the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games one week later,” said Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser. “The Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition will be a great gift for Pokémon fans who want to play the latest games on the go.”
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, players will embark on a new adventure through the Galar region, where they’ll catch, battle and trade newly discovered Pokémon and uncover the mystery behind Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta. The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games are available Nov. 15 for all Nintendo Switch systems.
The Nintendo Switch Lite device can play all games in the robust Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode**, although some games will have restrictions. The standard edition of the Nintendo Switch Lite system launches on Sept. 20 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and will be available in three different colors: yellow, gray and turquoise.
For more information about Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, visit http://pokemon.com/swordshield. For additional information about Nintendo Switch Lite, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/lite/#first-look.
Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/.
* The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games are sold separately from the Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition system.
** For games that support tabletop mode, players can wirelessly connect Joy-Con controllers (sold separately) to Nintendo Switch Lite. In these cases, users will need to have a device to recharge Joy-Con controllers, such as the Joy-Con Charging Grip.
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
