Nintendo’s lineup is now three consoles sturdy with the Nintendo Swap, OLED, and Lite fashions. Regardless of being the most affordable choice at $200 (£200), the Nintendo Swap Lite continues to be a fierce competitor versus its dockable siblings, relying in your use case. The Lite is undoubtedly essentially the most comfy Nintendo Swap console, and probably the greatest moveable gaming consoles at a sexy worth level.
We stay in an age the place the phrase ‘moveable’ doesn’t essentially imply the identical factor to everybody. Whereas I don’t have any points becoming a handheld just like the Swap OLED in my backpack, it’s not moveable in the identical method a gaming telephone is. The Swap Lite appears like a intelligent compromise on the unique Nintendo Swap design; the modern and durable Gameboy Advance-like kind issue provides the machine that traditional Nintendo really feel.
Not like the opposite Swap fashions – whose removable controllers and better worth factors make them really feel extra fragile and beneficial – the Lite is extra hard-wearing. I wouldn’t fear about handing this console to a toddler as its strong construct high quality means it may well face up to a couple of knocks.
Nintendo has streamlined the Lite in each sense, even in areas I want they hadn’t. That includes built-in controls somewhat than removable Pleasure-Cons, this console lives as much as its ‘Lite’ identify at simply 275g. This makes it noticeably simpler to carry for longer gaming periods in comparison with its cumbersome counterparts, with the OLED and normal Swap weighing 420g and 398g respectively with Pleasure-Cons hooked up.
That is additionally the one variant that comes with a d-pad, a format that feels acquainted and much more comfy than the break up directional buttons the Swap launched again in 2017.
Nintendo has stripped a number of options from this mannequin which solidify its place because the handheld-exclusive Swap. Because the Lite can’t be docked, there’s no choice to attach it to a TV. This makes it considerably tougher to play video games that depend on the Pleasure-Cons, equivalent to Nintendo Swap Sports activities, Tremendous Mario Celebration, and Ring Match Journey.
There’s no kickstand to help tabletop mode both, so if you wish to play these titles it’s good to sync a pair of Pleasure-Cons and discover a technique to prop up the Lite on a close-by floor. For those who’re one of many few individuals curious about Nintendo Labo, it’s a must to purchase a special mannequin to attempt it out because it’s incompatible with the Lite.
One other downside of the Lite is the smaller battery which leads to three to seven hours of utilization in comparison with the Swap OLED’s 4 and a half to 9 hours. Although the battery life is decrease on the Lite, you’re not shedding a lot time on every cost. The Lite additionally drops help for HD Rumble and the IR Movement Digital camera, two options that you could be miss initially however will quickly overlook about.
Nintendo selected to not improve the interior storage on the Lite, capping it at 32GB like the unique Swap. This received’t go very far as of late, notably if you happen to’re constructing a strictly digital library of video games. Fortunately, each Swap mannequin has a microSD card slot to develop its storage, and we can assist you discover the most effective microSD card offers.
Luckily, the Swap Lite’s compromises cease earlier than they influence the machine’s energy. Each Swap recreation runs the identical throughout all three fashions, so that you don’t want to fret that your Lite is by some means making Pokémon Violet run poorly, that’s the way it’s purported to run.
Likewise, all three Switches characteristic 720p shows, giving the Lite’s smaller 5.5” show a slightly larger pixel density which makes video games look barely sharper compared. This may be awkward in text-heavy titles like Disco Elysium, nevertheless it’s not dangerous sufficient to make these kind of video games unplayable.
We’re used to seeing totally different merchandise inside the identical household of units, and Nintendo has adopted go well with with this development. The cheaper Lite is out there in a wide range of vibrant colours that are paying homage to older Nintendo handhelds. The Lite’s daring colours make it really feel extra enjoyable whereas reaffirming it as an ideal choice for youths. Comparatively, the OLED and authentic mannequin sport impartial our bodies that make them really feel extra grown-up and wise after they’re docked subsequent to your TV.
It’s truthful to say Nintendo makes it troublesome to personal a number of units with out making the person bounce by means of hoops. The Swap’s subscription-based cloud save service doesn’t again up each save, it relies on the sport you’re taking part in. For instance, if you happen to frequently play Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your saves are trapped in your primary Swap till you run a separate app known as the Island Switch Software. You could encounter an identical drawback with the Pokémon video games which additionally include some restrictions.
This drawback doesn’t happen in each recreation, however contemplating it’s a must to pay for a subscription simply to achieve entry to this characteristic, you need to count on extra from a paid service. There’s additionally an enormous caveat whereby it’s good to have a steady web connection in your main console, in any other case, Nintendo can cease you from accessing your digital video games. Until your web connection at dwelling is ideal, you need to keep away from utilizing two Switches with one account.
Whereas it’s straightforward to know why Nintendo has positioned the Lite because the entry-level choice, it will solely take a couple of upgrades to show this into the most effective Swap machine. The 2 greatest omissions on the Lite are an OLED display and the power to connect with a TV. Given the selection between a hypothetical upgraded Lite and a Swap OLED, I’d decide the Lite each single time.
Nintendo Swap Lite evaluate
In its present kind, the Nintendo Swap Lite is the most suitable choice for many who need an inexpensive handheld gaming console to make use of on the go. The Swap OLED is costlier and never as moveable, however its vibrant display and flexibility win out over the Swap Lite. Total, by specializing in the handheld-only points, the Nintendo Swap Lite has a easy function and delivers on its guarantees.