Switch Lite Announced - $200

If you have a Nintendo Online Subscription, your backups should be able to transfer over.

I like the Switch, but that thing looks ultra cheap and generic.

@FireEmblem_Man: not for every game though. Nintendo considers that cheating.

surprised people on this board arent loosing their shit at the price, thinking it should be like 50$

I don't really get the point with the Switch Lite, other than that it's cheaper.

If the Switch is too big to bring with you, so is the Lite as the difference in size is very little. If anything, I think they should've gone with even smaller, like PSP size or something.

I don't know.. guess this is a good option for those who want a slightly smaller version and never plan to play on a TV.. I'm just not sure there's many out there who want such a thing.

I think Nintendo have looked at it with Pokemon to launch this year it definitely will sell bucket loads.

I'm sure a 3rd party company will release some kind of dock at some point.

This seems...unnecessary.

Honestly, I don't see how Cows will be afraid of this cause it's kinda of a downgrade, but it's clearly for those who was waiting for a good reason to go buy a Switch for the right price and for the lowest price, they got their wish. Now, if this was all about "Switch Pro" then I can clearly see why Cows would be afraid lol.

I already love my original Switch, no point in buying this cause it's not aiming for me.

@R4gn4r0k: For the games without cloud saves, you can move them via WiFi. Note that it's moving, not copying, but you can do it as much as you want.

Not for me, but this is gonna sell like crazy during the holidays. I'm still waiting for the "Pro" Switch, if that is even still a thing.

Obviously, the Switch Lite is intended for people who want to play exclusively handheld, but it does kinda defeat the entire point of the Switch brand.

I HIGHLY doubt they are going to scrap the hybrid premise. What I see is they're going to follow the 3DS lifespan. The 3DS had a cheaper model as well that stripped away the core gimmick of the 3DS - the 3D. They never discontinued the actual 3DS just because the 2DS was selling, it was just a cheaper alternative for those who did not care to use the 3D effect.

That is more or less what I'm seeing here, this is just a cheaper alternative that strips away the core gimmick of the Switch, for those that don't care to play in docked mode. I do agree that the Switch on a business standpoint, is being treated as a handheld, and with that said we are likely to get one or maybe a couple more iterations of the Switch down the road, and I'm certain one of the later models will be received as the definitive Switch model with full hybrid capabilities.

The success of the hybrid will determine the fate of the Switch.

@jaydan:

A means to phase out the disconnect between 3ds and switch, so that the next gen hardwares can be 100% unified.

What if they made this Switch Lite compatible with 3DS software. How many would sell.

Let's not forget that the Switch Lite was heavily rumored to be released this year based on leaks, and these rumors ran strong for the entire year. These rumors also stated a "Pro" Switch coming later on after the release of the Lite version.

A "pro" or definitive version of the Switch is something to expect, especially when you look at Nintendo's past handheld lineups, but a definitive version of the Switch can't come without the hybrid function.

I know rumors must be taken with a grain of salt, but many Nintendo rumors have come true recently too. Banjo-Kazooie being in Smash is a big one, and so far the Switch Lite rumor that specifically said it won't have TV function, is also now true. So let's see how the Pro version turns out when they decide to announce it.

The problem I see with a Pro version is that Nintendo would have three versions of the same console. If the newer one is stronger and remains hybrid, its going to equate to four platform configurations because of the dock and undocked modes of the original Switch. While I would like a stronger home console from Nintendo, a stronger Switch just seems more unlikely with the Switch Lite. The Switch Lite is a much stronger business decision than a stronger and newer Switch.

@Pedro:

I think an updated core switch would just phase out the launch model.

Theres ps4 Pro and the Slim. Is the launch model even still available?

Updated in the sense that its just a newer version with the same specs or like the Pro and X?

But see, that is not the history of the Nintendo handheld. Nintendo handhelds generally push out 3+ versions before the end of its lifespan. A "Pro" Switch could be a matter of having better battery lifespan, loading power and internal memory for downloading. A Pro-Switch can come if/when they revamp the online store. A Pro Switch does not have to boil down to being a more powerful machine, but at least an improvement to certain to quality-of-life details that a Switch would definitely benefit. There's definitely room for a better Switch more than just making it more powerful.

I think a more powerful Nintendo console won't come until next gen.

Fair enough. Still don't see it happening but I can be wrong. :)

Nintendo is a handheld company first and foremost. Anyone that thinks the Switch is not a handheld is an idiot. Switch being a handheld is perfectly fine. Nintendo rules that space. They have more handhelds then anyone and no one has beat them at it. They should continue to produce handhelds with docking stations for home use.

Ohh, a portable machine is becoming more portable.... Ohh, the innovation!!!!

I think a switch pro will launch next year alongside the new systems. Maybe spring/summer time depending on what new games come out.

My interest in the switch has always been portability rather than a home console so is perfect for what I want out of it.

You make it sound as if someone said this move was innovative.

It truly is and ALWAYS was a handheld device. Just like an iPad or Samsung Tab. It is the same type of hardware. Consoles do not have screens or internal power supplies. Handhelds do. Nintendo fans should not feel embarrassed about this fact. Nintendo, Apple & Android smart devices are the reason no one else wants to enter this space. Both Microsoft and Sony has been ran out of it. The Switch IS a handheld.

DaVillain still says it's still a console, taking it everywhere was just a nice bonus by Nintendo and even Nintendo themselves even said the Switch is still a console. Nintendo said it, not me.

@Pedro:

Improved with maybe a 1080p screen, with slightly more performance.

The Switch Lite isn't. :)

@Pedro: Hey, I'm just going by Nintendo said about the original Switch and as for the Lite, it's just another option for those who want to buy Switch for dirt cheap.

Edit: i think Switch Lite is okay...ish, it's not something I wouldn't bother with though but I'm not the target consumer Nintendo is looking for.

Seeing as its only $50 more than a 2DS XL... These are not overpriced at all. I can see this being the handheld Christmas gift of choice this year thrown in a bundled game with it and it will make a killing.

Definitely it was designed for Japan, as well for kids

@FireEmblem_Man:

I disagree. I think Nintendo saw the demographic they hit with Pokemon GO and may try and bank off that. I know theres a convenience factor in that its on the cell phone, but it also is not uncommon for people to carry a phone + tablet/kindle.

I am actually more interested in buying a switch now because of the lite.The regular switch still costs like 380 dollars + tax in Canada,

I think it’s reasonably priced myself although I think it probably should have had $10 shaved off here in Canada as it’s $259.99 but that’s really too bad.

Now release one that has no screen, no rumble, and no battery for 150 plz.

They already did, it was called Nintendo labo

The screen on the standard Switch is on the verge of being too small. I think the Switch Lite crosses that line. Anything smaller, and onscreen text and icons would become illegible.

The whole point of the Switch is that it's not one or the other, it's both depending on how you use it.

Obviously the Switch Lite kicks that notion to the curb.

Nah, 5.5 is ok for a mobile. Though the 720p isn't the best, it is what it is. The Switch Lite form-factor looks basically like a slightly larger Vita (5.5 inch screen vs. 5.0 inch screen, 720p resolution vs. 544p resolution). The Vita actually felt sorta bulky too, maybe the Switch-lite being more modern will feel a bit lighter.

That being said, I really have no use for this thing. They need to announce a Switch-pro that can do 1080p and has a better screen, not a downgrade.

The PS4 might not win another NPD until the PS5 launches.

Of course the salty Cows will say but, bu the Xbone will never win another one. Who cares because Xbox will be making the most money.

I only if ever use the Dock mode if I was on vacation staying in a nice hotel is the only time I'll use Dock. Since it's launch, I been playing Switch on the go, but with the Lite, it's nice and all but I like having more options when it's presented and I'm not in the mood for buying another console I already have anyways. I would have bought the Lite if I didn't have a Switch already to be honest.

Nintendo are cheap as shit, so of course this thing is probably overpriced relative to the components costs. That goes without saying with Nintendo. The Switch itself actually wasn't that outlandish at it's launch (price vs. performance not great, but not bad for a "gaming" tablet). But most likely Nintendo is positioning the Lite so they don't have to drop the price of the Switch. It seemed about that time in a console's life people probably start realizing that the Switch hasn't had a price cut. Now they push this cheaper version instead of a price cut. Not bad business so long as there are suckers willing to overpay for hardware.

Meh. Is this the first time Nintendo announced a new hardware iteration that was actually a stripped down version of the original?

@ajuicematts: agreed the price is way too high. No TV hook up, no detachable joy cons, no dock, no HD sound, smaller screen. Thing should be $150 at most and that’s still a little high.

it has better battery life and more RAM i think... plus a DpaD

Funny how on nintendos website they say, "...would make a great second switch for the household..."(something to that effect) yet what are the chances of letting users download their library to that second switch?

you can transfer your account plus your saves to another switch. however you cant have the same account on 2 switches at the same time.

What do you mean with no HD sound?

Is the sound on the regular Switch bad or something?

No HDMI out, so the only sound is either through the portable built-in speakers or the headphone jack. Presumably this limits it to stereo output, no multi-channel surround.

Assuming that's what he means, the complaint is a bit duplicative to the "no TV hook up" argument, because it's not like you are going to hook your portable up to your home theater.