The Nintendo Switch Lite is not set to launch until 20 September. Despite this, it looks like western video game journalists have already gotten their hands on the handheld. Looking through their impressions, here’s what we know about the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Size: A Significant Difference
We already know that the Nintendo Switch Lite has a slightly smaller display than the standard Switch. Owing to the smaller bezels and the non-detachable controls, the Switch Lite itself is meaningfully smaller and lighter than the original.
It may not be a noticeable difference at a glance, but it seems like it would be pretty noticeable when placed side-by-side, or when held. It will also be noticeable when you need to put it away in a bag, or a big enough pocket. The increased focus on portability may justify the missing ability to connect to a TV.
Controllers: A Trade-Off
One of the defining features of the Switch Lite is the fact that it doesn’t come with detachable Joy-Cons. On the flip side, it comes with a proper four-way D-pad, rather than four disjointed buttons. It’s a lot easier to make diagonal inputs now than it is on the original Switch.
Without the detachable Joy-Cons, you’d think that the Switch Lite is devoid of motion controls of any sort. This doesn’t appear to be the case, according to The Verge. It still comes with some motion controls, which supports, for example, motion aiming for the bow in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Build Quality: A Sturdy Single Slab
The general consensus appears to be that the Switch Lite is very well built. Being a single piece of hardware, it reportedly feels solid. At least when compared to the original that came with two detachable Joy-Cons and a prop stand.
The matte plastic body is also surprisingly resistant to fingerprints, or so claims IGN. Considering it’s stuck in handheld mode forever, this is pretty much a requirement for the Switch Lite.
Battery Life: Real Life Performance Is Still A Mystery
Battery life is generally not something you’d test during a hands-on session. That being said, Nintendo does remind everyone who went for it that the Switch Lite comes with a battery life of up to seven hours.
This sits in between the original Switch and the enhanced version with a more efficient processor. The former comes with a battery life of up to six-and-a-half hours, while the latter can go all the way up to nine hours.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is expected to arrive in Malaysia on the same day as its international release. It is also estimated to cost between RM849 and RM999.
(Source: The Verge, IGN, TechRadar, Polygon, Kotaku. Image: Nintendo)
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