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 probably the most comfy Nintendo Swap console, and among the finest transportable gaming consoles at a gorgeous value level.
We stay in an age the place the phrase ‘transportable’ 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 transportable in the identical manner a gaming telephone is. The Swap Lite looks like a intelligent compromise on the unique Nintendo Swap design; the modern and durable Gameboy Advance-like kind issue offers the machine that basic Nintendo really feel.
Not like the opposite Swap fashions – whose removable controllers and better value factors make them really feel extra fragile and worthwhile – the Lite is extra hard-wearing. I wouldn’t fear about handing this console to a baby as its strong construct high quality means it will possibly face up to just a few 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 classes in comparison with its cumbersome counterparts, with the OLED and customary Swap weighing 420g and 398g respectively with Pleasure-Cons connected.
That is additionally the one variant that comes with a d-pad, a structure that feels acquainted and way more comfy than the cut 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 Social gathering, and Ring Match Journey.
There’s no kickstand to assist tabletop mode both, so if you wish to play these titles it’s essential to sync a pair of Pleasure-Cons and discover a option to prop up the Lite on a close-by floor. When you’re one of many few individuals enthusiastic about Nintendo Labo, you must purchase a unique mannequin to strive 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 assist for HD Rumble and the IR Movement Digicam, two options that you could be miss initially however will quickly neglect about.
Nintendo selected to not enhance the interior storage on the Lite, capping it at 32GB like the unique Swap. This gained’t go very far nowadays, significantly should you’re constructing a strictly digital library of video games. Fortunately, each Swap mannequin has a microSD card slot to broaden its storage, and we will help you discover the perfect microSD card offers.
Luckily, the Swap Lite’s compromises cease earlier than they affect the machine’s energy. Each Swap sport runs the identical throughout all three fashions, so that you don’t want to fret that your Lite is in some way making Pokémon Violet run poorly, that’s the way it’s speculated to run.
Likewise, all three Switches characteristic 720p shows, giving the Lite’s smaller 5.5” show a touch increased pixel density which makes video games look barely sharper as compared. This may be awkward in text-heavy titles like Disco Elysium, nevertheless it’s not dangerous sufficient to make all these video games unplayable.
We’re used to seeing completely different merchandise inside the identical household of units, and Nintendo has adopted swimsuit with this pattern. The cheaper Lite is on the market in quite a lot of vibrant colours that are harking back to older Nintendo handhelds. The Lite’s daring colours make it really feel extra enjoyable whereas reaffirming it as an awesome choice for youths. Comparatively, the OLED and authentic mannequin sport impartial our bodies that make them really feel extra grown-up and smart after they’re docked subsequent to your TV.
It’s honest to say Nintendo makes it tough to personal a number of units with out making the person leap by way 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, should you recurrently play Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your saves are trapped in your important Swap till you run a separate app referred to as the Island Switch Instrument. It’s possible you’ll encounter an identical downside with the Pokémon video games which additionally include some restrictions.
This downside doesn’t happen in each sport, however contemplating you must pay for a subscription simply to achieve entry to this characteristic, you need to count on extra from a paid service. There’s additionally a giant caveat whereby it’s essential to have a steady web connection in your major 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 simple to grasp why Nintendo has positioned the Lite because the entry-level choice, it could solely take just a few upgrades to show this into the perfect Swap machine. The 2 greatest omissions on the Lite are an OLED display and the flexibility to hook up 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 best 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 transportable, 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.
