Nintendo Unveils Switch Redesign

There has been a lot of discussion in gaming circles these past few months concerning rumors about a Nintendo Switch redesign and/or hardware upgrade, similar to the PlayStation 4 Pro or the Xbox One X.

On July 10, Nintendo confirmed one of these rumors with announcement of the Nintendo Switch Lite: a smaller, more portable version of the console.

The Switch Lite will be available in Yellow, Turquoise, and Grey.

The Lite is smaller than the Switch, measuring 3.6 inches by 8.2 inches --- a bit larger than the average phone. Whereas the first Switch has the ability to connect to a television via a dock, the Lite is dedicated to handheld play, therefore it lacks the ability to connect to a TV. The controllers are built into the system and are not detachable like the Switch’s Joy-Cons.

Also, in the Joy-Cons is an IR Motion Camera and HD Rumble, which the Lite sacrifices. The Lite also boasts a longer battery life: up from the Switch’s 2.5-to-6.5 hours, to 3-to-7 hours.

The most enticing details that this console offers to current Switch owners are color choices and that D-pad.

Lastly, the Lite will only play Switch games that allow Handheld Mode. Fortunately, practically all current Switch games are playable in Handheld Mode with some of the only few exceptions being the Nintendo Labo games (and their included "cardware"), Just Dance, and Super Mario Party.

With a starting price of $200 and the ability to play virtually every Switch game, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a perfectly suitable smaller version of the original console. However, for those who already own a Switch, it doesn't seem like there's a good reason to shell out the cash for the new console as well.

The Nintendo Switch Lite launches on September 20, 2019, and for more info on gaming, comics and pop culture, stick to RED News.