Nintendo Switch Lite – It’s Lite, All Right?

It has been two years since the ambitious hybrid of a home console and a portable gaming system has been released and began a new generation of Nintendo gaming [18]. It has received so much acclaim for providing a fair variety of gameplay styles for many Nintendo nerds [8] [18]. Another method of expanding its ambitions is the Nintendo Labo, a cardboard toy platform designed to help younger players express creativity as they build objects for certain games and activities [18], such as a little piano for playing music and a VR headset to experience a little virtual reality [10]. To further expand its legacy, Nintendo has announced that there will be a second version of their eighth generation console that will hit shop shelves in September 2019; the Nintendo Switch Lite [7] [8] [11] [12]. If you are a 2000s kid, the term “Lite” would sound familiar in terms of rather casual gaming [3] [16]. Well, unless you were more of a PlayStation Portable player back in the day [14]. Well, we are in the late 2010s now, so let us stay proactive for a bit. As a Nintendo nerd myself, I shall take a look at what it has to offer with you, my dearest readers. It’s the Lite, all right?

 

A part of the family. [12]

Aside from how it will be smaller and weigh less than the original Switch [7], I like how it will be available in yellow like Pikachu, grey like a thwomp and turquoise like Hatsune Miku’s hair [8] [11] [12]. And wow! There will also be a Zacian and Zamazenta edition for the release of Pokémon Sword and Pokemon Shield [11]. A decent variety of colours for the Lite will at least appeal to some Nintendo nerds of this generation. I guess a Nintendo Switch Lite that will be almost as pink of Princess Peach’s dress would look cool. Due to the success of a certain lighter and slightly smaller version of the original DS, its variety of colours and editions steadily increased throughout the late 2000s, thus appealing to more DS players with different interests [3] [16]. Furthermore, the same thing should apply to the Lite if any of the first three colours sell well enough. Similarly, I stated that the Playdate, an upcoming handheld from Panic should eventually have an increased variety of colours if it sells well in 2020 [20] [21]. How the Nintendo Switch Lite will be smaller and lighter suits its name and how it will available in at least three colours can somewhat increase sales.

Three is the magic number for September 2019. [12]

Oh. And did I mention that the Switch Lite will be cheaper than the original Switch, considering how it weighs less? [12]

I am afraid to state that I do not like how the lite will only be available to play in one method, thus it will not be able to connect to a Nintendo nerd’s television [7] [8] [11] [12]. Additionally, the controllers are permanently incorporated to the unit, making the second official interruption of the Switch remain in its handheld mode with no way of removing any of joy-cons [7] [8] [18]. These disadvantages completely contradict the meaning of the original’s name and meaning. Moreover, detachable joy-cons from the original Switch’s model will have to be used for games that require motion control [7] [8]. It is disappointing that the Lite will not be fully compatible with Switch games that only work with motion controls, including Super Mario Party due to how it will only be completely useful for playing in handheld mode [7] [18]. It looks like the Nintendo nerds of today will have to look carefully at the back of a Switch game to see if it is compatible with handheld mode. I guess my nicknames for the Nintendo Switch Lite will be “Nintendo Vita” and “NP”, which stands for “Nintendo Portable” [13] [14]. My deepest apologies to our Vita misters and sisters for making that claim.

What a bummer. No detachable joy-cons for a lighter version. Talk about contradicting the original’s name and meaning. It is also another reason why the Lite will be cheaper. [8]

If you buy a Switch Lite of any colour, along with a game that only requires motion controls and you do not have the original’s joy-cons, you are fudged. [8]

Let us look at other pros for the Lite, as well as some cons. The buttons on the left built in joy-con have been replaced with a D-pad [8] [12] [18]. This is beneficial for those Nintendo nerds who still play games on the DS and 3DS [3] [17]. Aside from that, many of the buttons are still in the same place, except that the capture and home buttons have been moved closer to the bottom of the screen [7] [12]. This will make the Lite comfortable to play for those have played on an original Switch in its handheld mode before. Another advantage is that whoever plays on a Lite will not miss out on multiplayer mayhem locally or online with a Switch Online membership [11] [12]. In addition to such a downgrade with a lack of independent support for motion controls, the Lite will not feature the IR Motion Camera and HD Rumble [7] [8] [11] [18]. Luckily, the Lite might at least be compatible with a few Switch accessories and additions, such as the wired Switch controller as it will have the same USB Type-C connector [12]. With a few more advantages, I guess the Switch Lite can at least honour the first Switch’s legacy to some degree.

 

On second thought, this controller might not look very practical with the Lite. [18]

The Lite players will miss out on the motion camera and rumble. [8]

The Switch Lite can at least be suitable for younger players, those who prefer lighter gaming systems and those who prefer sticking to simplistic handheld gaming with the original Switch [7] [8] [11] [12]. On the other joy-con, has Nintendo learned nothing from the dissatisfaction of the first version of the 2DS and Wii Mini [1] [2] [5] [15] [17] [19] [22]? In all honesty, I believe the Labo had a bigger purpose, mostly for children and preteens as it came in a variety of constructions for cardboard things [18], including a fishing rod and a little house that kind of reminds me of Pixel Chix [4] [9]. Ultimately, I will remain fairly neutral and not be too harsh as it can still be appealing somehow. If you would like to buy a Switch Lite, sure thing. If you want to stick to the original model for the sake of all three modes, I can understand [7] [18]. I can also understand if you prefer trying out a Nintendo Labo kit for the sake of creativity, even if you are an adult [9] [10] [18]. Feel free to express your thoughts on the Nintendo Switch Lite with me too if you wish. Now if you will excuse me, I shall nibble on some pancakes from Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp [6].

Sayonara! Yonde kurete arigatou gozaimasu! [8]

Mmmm…pancakes. [6]

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