It may not be the “Pro” Switch many were hoping for, but it’s easy to see why, in the current market, Nintendo would hold off on that. It’s a fantastic entry in Nintendo’s legendary lineup of handheld consoles.
SWITCH LITE TV
Though a used launch model or a Lite will be cheaper, this is the best version of Nintendo’s original Switch vision: a powerful handheld console with great battery life and the ability to transform your gaming experiences from your living room TV to on-the-go seamlessly. It’s a great console, and the upgrades here are all welcome (if a bit overdue), but it doesn’t fundamentally do anything the original Switch can’t do.īut if you don’t own a Switch yet, this is the first one you should look at. If you already have a Switch, the new OLED model isn’t a good enough value to upgrade, unless you can sell your old Switch or you have someone else you want to give it to. Notable upgrades to the Nintendo Switch OLED version include a 7-inch OLED and longer battery life. The Switch also features a healthy collection of classic games from the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and GameCube eras available through Nintendo’s online service. In particular, Nintendo’s first-party exclusive titles like Smash Bros., Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Animal Crossing, Pokemon-the list goes on and on. Yes, we’re reviewing the hardware here, but the only thing that makes the Nintendo Switch a worthwhile purchase is the games. Nintendo lists the approximate battery life as the same (4.5 hours up to 9 hours), but in my experience you’re more likely to get to the 8-hour mark whereas the 2017 launch model rarely got more than six hours. Though the battery in the Switch OLED seems to be the same 4,200 mAh part as the original, the processor is more efficient. It could be particularly spotty after six months or a year of use, dropping from fix or six hours to around four or less when playing more intensive games like Breath of the Wild or Doom ports. The main issue with the original Switch? Lackluster battery life. One of the best ways to see if a reliable store has a Switch Lite in stock is to get updates from Stock Informer.The battery in the Switch OLED and original Switch is the same size, the battery in the OLED version can last up to two hours longer. It's best to stick to trusted retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or Target. If you see an online deal for a Nintendo Switch Lite that is way lower than anywhere else you've seen, be wary. Unfortunately, this shortage has also lead to more scams than usual. There are plenty of scalpers on eBay, Amazon, or other such locations which will sell you a Nintendo Switch Lite at a skyrocketed price. This, in turn, has caused a shortage on many retailer's sites. With so many people stuck inside, gaming equipment has become much more in demand than usual. The last two years have definitely been weird. Don't get scammed when buying a Nintendo Switch Lite Though, it was a limited release, so you'll need to spend a pretty penny to acquire it. There's even a special Pokémon Sword and Shield edition if you're a Pokémon fan. This smaller Switch is currently available in several colors, including yellow, gray, turquoise, coral, and blue. Incidentally, $200 is how much you used to pay for a brand new 3DS XL, and it looks like the Switch Lite has quietly replaced that handheld gaming system. You'll only need to pay $200 for a brand new Switch Lite in comparison to the $300 you'll spend on a new standard Switch or the Switch V2. Since the smaller Switch ditches some of the tech seen in both the original console and the Switch V2, it's also less expensive. Similarly, there is no HD rumble and no IR Motion Camera in this system. In fact, the Switch Lite doesn't have a kickstand, and the Joy-Cons don't detach. However, the biggest difference between these three systems is that the Lite is a dedicated handheld, so you can't play it on a TV by placing it on the Dock, and you can't play it in tabletop mode. Still, with up to seven hours of playtime, you'll be able to get really far when playing on a Switch Lite. It can last longer than the original Switch, but the Switch V2 still has the longest battery life of all three systems. Perhaps the Switch Lite's most interesting thing is the extra battery life. To help you visualize the Switch Lite screen size better, it helps to know that a 5.5-inch display is the average size for a smartphone screen. The Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch screen, which is the average size for smartphone displays.Īs you can tell by looking at these specs, the mini Switch weighs less and has a smaller screen than the original Switch and the Switch V2.