The year 2017 was the year
legendary videogame manufacturer Nintendo introduced a new evolution of the
gaming experience. That was when the Nintendo Switch was released. Combining the
graphical prowess of a console and the convenience of portability in a hybrid
system, the Switch became a heavy best-seller to rival contemporary-generation
consoles that have been released longer than it. Earlier this year, Nintendo
teased at least two variants of the Switch gaming device, one of them being a
purely portable version that would also be affordable compared to the base
model. That portable Switch variation was finally revealed this week.
IGN has it that Nintendo announced the Switch Lite this Wednesday,
July 10. This came in the form of a promotional video presented by Yoshiaki
Koizumi, Nintendo’s general producer for the Switch hybrid console. The Switch
Lite is at first glance a Nintendo take on Sony’s Playstation Portable or Vita,
but of the roughly similar thickness as the Switch main game unit, and with
fixed controllers at the sides instead of detachable Joy-Cons. In actuality,
the Switch Lite display is at 5.5 inches, smaller than the regular Switch, but
due to being stripped of extra functions boasts a longer battery life of about 3-7
hours.
Koizumi explains that due to the
full optimization of the Nintendo Switch Lite for handheld play, there are
features from the original game system that were removed. For instance, it
cannot connect to a TV for a larger display whether on its own or with a
regular Switch Dock. Its own screen is not HD quality and it has no infrared
capabilities. What the Switch Lite does have is a true directional pad, which
arguably has a superior control feel compared to the separate directional
buttons that are found in the original. For all this however, the Switch Lite
can be priced at $199.99, $100 less than the default Switch.
Initial reactions to the Switch
Lite were somewhat even, with one side favorable of the D-Pad and better
battery life, but the other camp seeing the device itself as superfluous compared
to the still in-development Switch Pro, a reportedly more power variant of the
baseline Switch console. Nintendo however posits the Switch Lite as a superb
choice for people who want a dedicated portable gaming experience, especially
as there are more than enough game titles for the platform that are optimized
for portable mode, which can be indicated at the package documentation in the
back.
The worldwide release of the
Nintendo Switch Lite has been scheduled for September 20, and it will come in
three colors of yellow, grey and turquoise. More color variants are coming in
November that are patterned after Pokémon from “Pokémon Sword and Shield,” titles are
optimized for Lite portable gaming.
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